A History of Women in 101 Objects
A Walk Through Female History
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A History of Women in 101 Objects
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About this listen
This is a neglected history. No attempt at a sweeping, definitive, exhaustive history of the world but something quieter, more intimate and particular, told by Annabelle Hirsch through her selection of 101 objects, and now brought thrillingly alive for you by a chorus of 101 remarkable women in this ground-breaking audio release.
Open up this cabinet of curiosities and you’ll discover objects that have been highly esteemed and others that are humble and domestic. Some (like a sixteenth-century glass dildo, as read by Miriam Margolyes) are objects of female pleasure, some (a thumbscrew, as read by Val McDermid) of female subjugation. There are artefacts of women celebrated by history (The Brontë Sisters’ miniature books, as read by Rebecca Hall) and of women unfairly forgotten by it (a dish with the likeness of Roxelana, as read by Elif Shafak); examples of female rebellion (a bunch of hair, as read by Shirin Neshat) and of self-revelation (an unusual portrait, as read by Daisy Ridley); objects that are inspiring (Aretha Franklin’s song ‘Respect’, as read by Cynthia Erivo), curious (George Sand’s right arm, as read by Jeanette Winterson) or just fundamentally ill-conceived (like radium-laced chocolate, as read by Meera Syal).
This highly acclaimed and very overdue corrective reveals what a healed femur (Gillian Anderson) says about civilisation, what men have to fear from hat pins (Helena Bonham Carter), and it shows that the past has always been as complicated and fascinating as the women that peopled it.
Refuge, is a registered charity in the UK with charity nos. 277424. 25% percent of the proceeds* received by Canongate Books from this audiobook will be made available to the charity for their work empowering women and children experiencing domestic violence. This donation has been made possible by Canongate Books, Annabelle Hirsch, Eleanor Updegraff and Kein und Aber.
*Proceeds means the cash-price or cash-equivalent price less sales taxes.
The readers, in order of appearance:
Helena Gonda, Annabelle Hirsch, Gillian Anderson, Katy Hessel, Anita Rani, Jackie Kay, Len Pennie, Shirley Manson, Rebecca Solnit, Sandi Toksvig, Marina Hyde, Naomi Shimada, Harriet Walter, Celia Imrie, Kate Manne, Margaret Atwood, Janina Ramirez, Doon Mackichan, Helen Mirren, Elif Shafak, Kathryn Hunter, Kate Mosse, Miriam Margolyes, Val McDermid, Caitlin Moran, Dolly Alderton, Georgia Byng, Olivia Colman, Sasha Lane, Adjoa Andoh, Elizabeth Acevedo, Sue Perkins, Ece Temelkuran, Mary Ann Sieghart, Alison Steadman, Daisy Ridley, Rebecca Hall, Krista Tippett, Patience Agbabi, Michelle Newell, Jeanette Winterson, Geraldine James, Sinead Cusack, Tiya Miles, Crystal Clarke, Louise Brealey, Leïla Slimani, Helena Kennedy, Samin Nosrat, Anna Holmes, Michelle Gomez, India Knight, Natascha McElhone, Lauren Elkin, Kate Winslet, Helena Bonham Carter, Sylvia Whitman, Noma Dumezweni, Meera Syal, Niamh McGrady, Denise Gough, Jacqueline Wilson, Siri Hustvedt, Gaby Wood, Sophie Hunter, Lisa-Kaindé Diaz, Annabel Mullion, Sharleen Spiteri, Jennifer Clement, Julia Gillard, Christiane Amanpour, Jude Kelly, Kerry Fox, Ruth Rogers, Maggie Smith, Hanna Schygulla, Kübra Gümüsay, Erica Wagner, Sandra Hüller, Jodie Whittaker, Virginie Efira, Nicola Sturgeon, Juno Dawson, Juliet Stevenson, Sally Phillips, Anjelica Huston, Lisa Dwan, Ruth Ozeki, Joanna Lumley, Cynthia Erivo, Martha Wainwright, Eleanor Updegraff, Sinéad Gleeson, Salena Godden, Lili Taylor, Mariella Frostrup, Rakie Ayola, Katie Kitamura, Saffron Hocking, Tahmima Anam, Vivian Oparah, Shirin Neshat.
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Critic reviews
'Whimsical, fun and witty. Annabelle Hirsch's book is a like a treasure hunt through history, culture, politics, fashion and art - from cave paintings and bikinis to menstruation cups and Madame Pompadour's sealing stamp.' (ANDREA WULF)
'Such a satisfying and educational insight into the minds and activities of our united ancestors and a reminder, lest we forget, that women are and have always been, whether quietly or vociferously, on the periphery or centre stage, the engine, the glue, the inspiration behind it all.' (GILLIAN ANDERSON)
.I adored this book! Our history and our power are not just ideas, but play out in the ways we interact with the physical world. Hirsch's intimate observational gifts turn that world into a rousing, living record of all that we have wrestled with.' (OLIVIA COLMAN)
What listeners say about A History of Women in 101 Objects
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jen
- 14-11-24
so many objects that I've ignored that are brought to life in a new light
such a shame that audible only give chapter numbers, rather than the name of the object. it makes it almost impossible to revisit a favourite
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lee
- 10-03-24
Brilliant
I’m really enjoying this book so much info contained in it. Well narrated too. My only gripe is the chapters I wish they were headed by the item being described. It’s difficult if you lose your place to find your starting point. It’s a minor gripe. I’ve laughed at some of the descriptions and been generally shocked at others. There’s been a few no way moments as well…I’m generally saddened it’s finished. So worth a credit.
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- AB
- 29-08-24
Interesting summary of Women’s journey through centuries
Very well researched and presented book. The readings were variable given the large number of readers. I wish they could have given a brief introduction to the reader as I didn’t recognise many of the readers
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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- Zuhura P.
- 01-04-24
Really interesting, dip in and out
Overall really good. I would have liked more on the objects themselves, by describing them in more detail it would have made the history more alive to me. It’s interesting and ususal and it’s cool hearing a famous voice. Got slightly monotonous to listen to in one go, but def dip in and out!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Joy Jones
- 24-06-24
Fascinating
Great idea to tie social history to objects. Learned a lot and it provoked further thinking and research.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Y. Baqouah
- 19-06-24
Interesting
Entertaining and informative. I liked some readings more than others. I also liked the chronological order of the objects
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- ladygrey
- 10-05-24
Ambitious audiobook concept and lots to learn!
A very good concept - 101 short chapters of objects showing women's position in society throughout history (and prehistory). And for the audiobook a stunning cast of different readers, all aptly chosen for the subject. Of COURSE Miriam Margolyes is reading the one about the glass dildo. I would have liked more information on who the readers were - they weren't all known to me and I wanted to know why they in particular were picked for their chapter. All of the objects and stories were interesting and all offered me an angle I was not aware of.
I have a couple of issues with the audiobook. Firstly, chapter headings are not listed, so you can't navigate by the names of the objects or go back to find a favourite one again. Secondly, you don't have the pictures that come with the printed version, and I would really like to see some of the objects, although they are well described. Plenty of Audible books come with a pdf download and I would suggest this book is a prime candidate for this. Pictures please!
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5 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sigrin
- 22-09-24
That was good
Loved the bit size chunks and lots of different narrators.
This was certainly a walk through female history, made fun, interesting and informative.
Highly recommend
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Larissa Fry
- 08-12-24
The strength of women, despite all that life throws in our way, really shines through.
We don’t get enough of the female perspective of life, living, history  And contributions to the world.
This book by Annabel Hirsch is a great step to rebalancing that issue. I hope it inspires many many more women to publish.
I really liked each chapter being read by a different woman - sometimes the narrator was really well matched to the chapter.
My only criticisms are that on Audible, the chapters are numbered rather than the title of that object, And that there are not images, PDF attached, as you can get in other audible books
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- amelia evans
- 07-03-24
Inspiring!
Incredible stories read by interesting women. I can’t stop recommending this book to everyone, I love it
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3 people found this helpful