About The Voyage Out

The Voyage Out is Virginia Woolf's debut novel, a rich and introspective exploration of youth and self-discovery, centring Rachel Vinrace, a young woman embarking on a journey of both physical and emotional awakening.

The Journey

Aboard her father’s ship, the Euphrosyne, Rachel sets sail from England to South America, where she is introduced to a diverse group of travellers, each with their own ideals, passions, and struggles. The ship’s passage is wracked by storms and although Rachel is accompanied by her father, uncle, and aunt, she spends the journey feeling alone as she explores her changing perception of the world. As the ship reaches its destination, the passengers settle in the fictional town of Santa Marina, where Rachel sets off alone and begins to better understand her place in society.

Publication and Themes

First published in 1915 and written with Woolf’s characteristic depth and sensitivity, The Voyage Out introduces the feminist themes that would define her later works. Through its vivid descriptions and keen psychological insight, Woolf’s first novel offers a compelling portrait of a young woman’s journey towards self-understanding.