Virginia Woolf's Queer Masterpiece

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Watch our video on Angela Carter's Purple Prose: • In Defence of Angela C...
Watch Dr. Kat's video on the Thames Frost Fairs: • Frost Fairs: Fun on th...
Brrrrrr! It's cold outside! So cold the River Thames is frozen over. People are skating from bank to bank and horse drawn carriages are wheeling over the river’s icy depths. But while the cold is vicious, the heat of romance burns brightly for gender fluid time-traveler, Orlando.
This is the story of the River Thames Frost Fairs of days gone by, but it's also a celebration of Virginia Woolf's startling, challenging, and beautiful prose. Want to find out how Woolf used the enchanting Frost Fair setting to bring out Orlando’s queerness, moving the protagonist of her esteemed 1928 novel into a space beyond gender? You're in the right place.
Written, presented, and edited by Rosie Whitcombe
@books_ncats
Directed, produced, and edited by Matty Phillips
@ma_ps_
mphotos.uk
Bibliography
Biswas, Pooja Mittal, 'Queering Time: The Temporal Body as Queer Chronotope in Virginia Woolf’s Orlando', Anglia, vol. 138 (2020)
Evelyn, John, The Diary of John Evelyn, ed. William Bray, 2 vols. (London: J. M. Dent & Sons, 1907)
Hessayon, Ariel and Taylor, Dan, 'The original climate crisis - how the little ice age devastated early modern Europe', theconversation.com/the-origi...
Melhuish, Fiona, '""Carnivals on the Water"": the Thames Frost Fairs, collections.reading.ac.uk/spe...
Reading the Past, 'Frost Fairs: Fun on the Frozen Thames', • Frost Fairs: Fun on th...
Selli, Fabrizio, 'All the fun of the Frost Fair: why, when and how did Londoners party on the ice?', www.museumoflondon.org.uk/dis...
Smith, Maddy, 'A Carnival on the Water: the Frost Fair of 1683', blogs.bl.uk/untoldlives/2017/...
Tosh, Will, 'The year the River Thames froze over', www.shakespearesglobe.com/dis...
Woolf, Virgina, Orlando: A Biography, ed. Rachel Bowlby (Oxford: OUP, 1992)

[@jdbachelder3594]

I'm a trans man, and we read Orlando in college and I fell so in love I took Orlando as my middle name

[@gloriamontgomery6900]

Have you seen the movie based on it with Tilda Swinton?

[@Ruuehxbfiqkxn]

Absolutely no idea why this channel is so undiscovered. It’s a hidden gem.

[@gloriamontgomery6900]

Yes!

[@alexandrebertocco7121]

I discovered it last week and have watched every single one.

[@VultureSkins]

17.3k subscribers isn’t “undiscovered” lol

[@books_ncats]

Aww thanks so much! ❤

[@wdviolet8434]

was thinking the same thing, this channel is excellent and the algorithm just showed it to me today. Can’t believe only 17k subs lol

[@MrDiego0000170796]

You are like that one literature teacher that everyone remembers fondly, the one whose passion for the subject was so infectious that made you want to keep reading and discovering new authors

[@books_ncats]

Thank you 😊❤

[@dawnfalvey6766]

I had one of those literature teachers! What a wonderful world she introduced me to.

[@teaumanport]

This sets my little gay heart ablaze. So happy this channel exists and that you share your joy with the world.

[@books_ncats]

Thanks so much 😊❤ - Rosie

[@Gertyutz]

There was a film in 1992 with Tilda Swinton.

[@pidgeon6024]

i remember reading this in highschool and how it opened my eyes to how beautiful and free gender can be

[@jenford7078]

I can't decide if I enjoy your narration, choice of tales or cat more... This channel is perfection!

[@charlygodwin]

20 seconds in and already hit the like button. So glad I found your channel! Thank you for the perfect combo of education and cat.

[@books_ncats]

No problem! Thanks ❤🐱 - Rosie

[@ClaudiaRichmann]

Mouse is a Virginia Wolf fan! I was so excited to see a new video. Well done!

[@books_ncats]

🐱

[@CasuallyFeral]

Aw shit, I'm so early! I have never been this early before! Cuddling up with my crochet to listen right away. This is perfect. Thank you for this moment.

[@books_ncats]

You're very welcome ❤❤ - Rosie

[@nirmalakankaria5561]

The first thing I discovered about Wolfe was her mode of ending , and I have ever been fascinated by that. I read Mrs. Dalloway and To the lighthouse much later. Am yet to read Orlando

[@BlackKara]

A banner day to discover this channel. I love the little set of the snowflakes and the cold costume. I didn't even know of this book and am so happy to hear about it. Thank you, I love this.

[@books_ncats]

You're welcome, and thanks for your lovely comments ❤ - Rosie

[@Ellenmd]

Thank you so much for the content that you make. It is inspiring and thought-provoking.

[@books_ncats]

Aw thank you! Glad you enjoy ❤ - Rosie

[@chrisogrady28]

7:36 listening to this while cycling, I'll mail you my hospital bill

[@saraht855]

Guess I have no choice now but to binge all your content. Thanks algorithm! My poor TBR 😢 ❤

[@grooveonthehillside]

Orlando is one of my all time favourites! Time for a revisit, once I finish Middlemarch!

[@books_ncats]

Ooooh I love Middlemarch! Haven't read it for years - Rosie

[@euthymialy]

Keep at it, you’re making incredible content and will blow up in no time ❤ you’re awesome!

[@books_ncats]

Thank you, that’s so kind 🥰 - Rosie

[@juliomouraodepaiva]

I’d love to hear you talk more about Woolf’s works, specially The Waves and To The Lighthouse ❤ keep doing great videos like these

[@books_ncats]

Thank you! 😊 - Rosie

[@badfaith4u]

A wonderful video. Also, your cat is adorable. 🐈‍⬛

[@MagdaleneDivine]

OMG IF YOU AND J.Draper collaborate I would love that

[@flux.aeterna]

Love the little editing bit around the 7min mark of having the years pinned to the moving hands!

[@MagdaleneDivine]

I ALSO LOVE YOUR CAT! I WOULD BUY A PLUSHIE TOY OF YOUR CAT AS MERCH BTW!

[@barbielyngdoh7189]

The feel of Orlando, your cat and your vibe and energy... You got me

[@alexandrebertocco7121]

Please read Clarice Lispector, she's one of the most important brazilian authors.

[@books_ncats]

Thanks for the recommendation! - Rosie

[@flux.aeterna]

Seconding!!

[@trollnystan]

I saw the movie Orlando as a child/pre-teen on telly and it certainly had a part in shaping who I am today.

[@craisins95]

I remember reading my friend’s essay about Orlando in college and being so fascinated by their retelling of the story to me. I haven’t read it myself but I think I may one day.

[@MagdaleneDivine]

Because I'm SOOOOOO sick of the algorithm! I needs variety in my content feed! FEED ME SEYMOUR!!!!

[@emmazblewski7837]

I love your cat enjoying cuddle lap time while you read

[@olafposmyk8786]

It’s such a pleasure watching your videos with my cat Alev on my lap 😊

[@Mxrvx_26]

I'm so happy to see you uploaded again. Your video about Shirley Jackson showed up in my recommendation and I loved them so much. I ended up buying a novel with the lottery and other short stories. It was also so interesting to learn about this :) thank you for your hard work and amazing explanations!!

[@books_ncats]

You're very welcome, glad you enjoy our videos! - Rosie

[@tazandalsoalastname]

Please please please make a video on the movie 'Crimson Peak,' I would LOVE to know what you think about it 🥺

[@books_ncats]

Omg yes!! I was thinking about this a while ago - Rosie

[@tazandalsoalastname]

@@books_ncats I just found your channel the other day, and am currently making my way through your entire catalog...it's AWESOME 😁 I've always been fascinated by the depiction of the 'mad woman in the attic' in literature, so a lot of the stories are familiar to me, but I had never heard of Angela Carter before and now I'm entranced by her, thank you! I really enjoyed your essay on the death of Gothic literature, and I think that one reason Crimson Peak didn't do well critically or commercially is that the marketing for it completely failed to embrace its nature as high and florid Gothic melodrama, perhaps fearing that it may seem hackneyed or cliched, or that there might not be a market for such things anymore.

[@oogiemunster]

I just discovered your channel yesterday, and I absolutely love it. Thank you for the gift of good content. 💜

[@ellywhitcombe5007]

Another wonderful video, content engaging and refreshing, thank you.

[@books_ncats]

Thanks 🥰 - Rosie

[@BeeKool__113]

I love Orlando ❤ It's one of my favorite of Virginia's work. And, I adore the film with Tilda Swinton. Great video!! Interesting and highly educational. I always learn something new and thoroughly entertained. 📖📚⛸️🧊🎪 Also, Shout Out to Dr.Kat!! I love their channel as well as this wonderful channel.

[@books_ncats]

Yesss Dr. Kat is great! And I adore Orlando, too, such an incredible and rich novel, the kind that I could read over and over and always find something new - Rosie

[@SalemSingsStuff]

I really, really like this one. 💖

[@MusaMecanica]

I’ve never read most of the books you mention and yet I still love your videos.

[@fairyelflove]

oh my god this was a lovely video! i wanna watch the movie AND read the book now. definitely subscribing :)

[@books_ncats]

Yay, thanks! Glad you enjoyed! - Rosie

[@gingercore69]

You got a new subscriber, loved the video

[@gw8872]

Magical!!!

[@viktorherald9868]

I love everything you do here. Especially when your cat seems to be listening intently to the story, hahaha.

[@bamb00zled71]

I love your channel so much! These vids are so well done! Can't wait till you get to 100k subs.

[@jemcatunao]

I am so glad I found your youtube account. Thank you!

[@MagdaleneDivine]

What I do is over comment and it shows up as engagement and suddenly I notice that after over commenting a few videos they have like way more subscribers. The algorithm

[@VenusianLissette]

thank you :)

[@timomoxilinebarbebuetonol9046]

Namaste 🙏🏽 , I found your channel recently, glad that I did! Your videos are like a grandmother’s warm hug! Your script reveals your keen understanding of the topic and your intonation represents your love for the subject. Thank you.

[@cacoooo]

Your editing, story telling and research skills are sooooo good!! really happy to have come across this video cant wait to watch the others!

[@cellie_bellie]

i read orlando in my second semester of my senior year in high school! i loved it, although it was slow

[@Gertyutz]

The clips are from the 1992 film with Tilda Swinton.

[@RedLeafStitches]

I LOVE your videos! Could you maybe do one on Anne, the forgotten Brontë sister?

[@AM711]

Read something of hers in high school & we learned the name Cam/Cameron can be male or female. Also there's a movie about the making of Alien (called memory) - in the script it wasn't specified who was male or female, the director picked sigourney for the lead role of ripley

[@BeeKool__113]

Random...I was so inspired by Virginia Woolf as a teen, I wrote several poems for her. 📖🖋 It seems to silly now but my friends and I loved her so much as teens.

[@books_ncats]

Love that, I did similar things with a friend haha writing stuff inspired by Woolf and Sylvia Plath - Rosie

[@flutterg1035]

I hope you do a few deep drives sometime. They can be a lot of work so its not expected. But man, I'd love to hear you go on about whichever literature interests you the most for hours.

[@books_ncats]

Thanks for the encouragement, I would love to do a deep dive one day! - Rosie

[@moriahbuchanan9512]

i would love to see a video of you covering The Color Purple by Alice Walker. it’s my favorite and i would love to hear analyze it! love your channel ❤

[@books_ncats]

Noted! Thanks for the suggestion, and for your kind words about our channel! - Rosie

[@MagdaleneDivine]

Can't tell that it's the same ding dong commenting and the engagement makes the algorithm suggests the content way more

[@lityne5577]

omg, i HAVE to read this book

[@cyanolove7761]

Amazing work! I could listen to you talk for hours!! Do you have a podcast?

[@books_ncats]

Thank you! Not yet, but maybe one day! - Rosie

[@MagdaleneDivine]

And if y'all like on my over comments her being suggested IS TURBO CHARGED LIKE MARIO AFTER EATING A SHROOM

[@theparanormalentomologist2234]

Frost fairs…how interesting!

[@retropian]

The greenish fur trim of Sasha’s attire reminded me of the green carnation. Perhaps a hint from Virginia that only queer readers might clue into? Green fur, or a green flower are both unusual.

[@books_ncats]

Hmm, it's possible! Makes me think of the colour yellow being used by Decadent writers to mark the subversive spirit of the age - Rosie

[@Zarsla]

Wife wanted to get pregnant on the river thames Me:"That's sooooo crazy, and unfun it's fucking cold. And you want to have sex. Noteven the public vouyerism."

[@brendagutierrez6205]

I love the cat.

[@goober112]

your cat is beautiful!! ❤️

[@BNK2442]

Everytime I read her commentary regarding the white feathers movement I feel revolted.

[@MagdaleneDivine]

I'm also very anti establishment right now and I'll be damned if some algorithm sticks me in a damn rut like damn KZbin!

[@samanthaburns6956]

I feel like Orlando's first encounter with Sasha is both a great depiction of queer attraction and gender envy. It is also very telling that Woolf chose Sasha as the name of Orlando's first paramore because it is a unisex name further compicating the binary that Orlando thinks in. Orlando's devestated reaction to Sasha's unfaithfulness also feels like it could be a reaction to not just the loss of a romantic dallyance but of a queer ally. The end of the relationship and the winter festival is the end to Orlando's first queer experiance. It also shouldn't be overlooked that Orlando's first expriences with both queer attraction and gender queer expression happen with foreigners and in foreign places. Which could be read as outside influences unlocking ones learned homophobia. It could also just be an orientalist trope though as the effeminate east was very much an artistic trope in Europe from the 1500's into the 20th century

[@wrv6927]

I tried the Laneige lip mask years ago and it was really bad, it left my lips even dryer.

[@enochturnal_]

what movie does this use clips from?

[@books_ncats]

Orlando (1992) directed by Sally Potter. We'll update the description to include video clip sources - Matty

[@ikeofnewt7690]

what the heck hack pepper jack shouldn't this have 50k views? what? cool new hidden gem youtuber though!

[@books_ncats]

Thank you, that's so lovely to hear! - Rosie

[@Heothbremel]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@mparis130]

Rosie I'm not done reading all of Shirley Jackson's work and now I gotta read "Orlando"??? I kid, I love your videos so much ❤

[@books_ncats]

😆 my apologies! Glad you enjoy our videos ❤ - Rosie

[@honeyLXIX]

💘📚🐱🐌

[@MagdaleneDivine]

You're pretty and more so cause you is smart. I love your vocabulary and prose of speech.

[@snowbox6625]

suffICE to say haha

[@thomaslodger7675]

Na