The Walnut Tree
Women, Violence and the Law – A Hidden History
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Narrated by:
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Kristin Atherton
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By:
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Kate Morgan
About this listen
'Compulsively readable' – Times Literary Supplement
'An outstanding work' – Philippa Gregory
'A powerful narrative told with frankness and sensitivity' Helen Fry, historian and author of Women In Intelligence
'A woman, a dog and a walnut tree, the more they are beaten, the better they’ll be.'So went the proverb quoted by a prominent MP in the Houses of Parliament in 1853. His words – intended ironically in a debate about a rise in attacks on women – summed up the prevailing attitude of the day, in which violence against women was waved away as a part and parcel of modern living – a chilling seam of misogyny that had polluted both parliament and the law. But were things about to change?
In this vivid and essential work of historical non-fiction, Kate Morgan explores the legal campaigns, test cases and individual injustices of the Victorian and Edwardian eras which fundamentally re-shaped the status of women under British law. These are seen through the untold stories of women whose cases became cornerstones of our modern legal system and shine a light on the historical inequalities of the law.
We hear of the uniquely abusive marriage which culminated in the dramatic story of the ‘Clitheroe wife abduction’; of the domestic tragedies which changed the law on domestic violence; the controversies surrounding the Contagious Diseases Act and the women who campaigned to abolish it; and the real courtroom stories behind notorious murder cases such as the ‘Camden Town Murder’.
Exploring the 19th- and early 20th Century legal history that influenced the modern-day stances on issues such as domestic abuse, sexual violence and divorce, The Walnut Treelifts the lid on the shocking history of women under British law – and what it means for women today.
©2024 Kate Morgan (P)2024 HarperCollins PublishersCritic reviews
‘Throughout this fine and eminently, even compulsively readable book, Morgan explores the greatest of all legal fictions: that the law applies equally to all… The Walnut Tree is a fascinating historical excursion and a powerful demand for change, moving seamlessly from history to current events, and back, to show not only that the past is not a foreign country, but that most of the time it is not even past.’ – Judith Flanders, Times Literary Supplement
What listeners say about The Walnut Tree
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Jules
- 25-03-24
History told through true stories
Colourful tale of women’s role in history through true stories. The stories are a little darker than I had anticipated but nothing comes easy for women so it’s to be expected. Great quick listen
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- kate bluffield
- 06-12-24
Very well researched and excellent narration
In depth research and analysis of largely forgotten murder cases. Really interesting and listened to in one go. Recommended
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- tallpoppy
- 30-03-24
The quality and depth of knowledge and information delivered
this is an excellent evaluation of historical government/socially sanctioned violence against women. Byond that it highlights the prevailing attitudes normalising violence against women today and the iniiquality women face in relation to that violence.
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- Sinead
- 26-05-24
A revealing history
As someone who has taught Crime and Punishment, I have always felt that there was so much more to discover around the laws and women. This insightful book offers up specific cases that show the general context and lets the reader/listener immerse themselves in the stories of women who have long been forgotten.
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- Emma Ingleson
- 18-07-24
Thoroughly well researched, written and read
Excellent book, narrator is wonderful. A history of horrific treatment of women; if it doesn't make you angry...it should!!
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- Anonymous User
- 28-09-24
Depth of research
Fantastic history of violence against women; extremely well researched. Incredible stories of women suffering, and well explained history of legal precedents which are ghastly and troubling for the modern ear to hear. Riveting read and really makes you consider the similarities between the 18th Century onwards to the present day!
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