When Women Were Dragons
A Novel
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When Women Were Dragons
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Narrated by:
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Kimberly Farr
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Mark Bramhall
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Written by:
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Kelly Barnhill
About this listen
A GOODREADS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR • A fiery feminist fantasy tale set in 1950s America where thousands of women have spontaneously transformed into dragons, exploding notions of a woman’s place in the world and expanding minds about accepting others for who they really are.
"Ferociously imagined…and as exhilarating as a ride on dragonback."—Lev Grossman, bestselling author of The Magicians Trilogy
"Completely fierce, unmistakably feminist, and subversively funny."—Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry
In the first adult novel by the New York Times bestselling author of The Ogress and The Orphans, Alex Green is a young girl in a world much like ours, except for its most seminal event: the Mass Dragoning of 1955, when hundreds of thousands of ordinary wives and mothers sprouted wings, scales, and talons; left a trail of fiery destruction in their path; and took to the skies. Was it their choice? What will become of those left behind? Why did Alex’s beloved aunt Marla transform but her mother did not? Alex doesn’t know. It’s taboo to speak of.
Forced into silence, Alex nevertheless must face the consequences of this astonishing event: a mother more protective than ever; an absentee father; the upsetting insistence that her aunt never even existed; and
watching her beloved cousin Bea become dangerously obsessed with the forbidden.
In this timely and timeless speculative novel, award-winning author Kelly Barnhill boldly explores rage, memory, and the tyranny of forced limitations. When Women Were Dragons exposes a world that wants to keep women small—their lives and their prospects—and examines what happens when they rise en masse and take up the space they deserve.
©2022 Kelly Barnhill (P)2022 Random House AudioYou may also enjoy...
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What the critics say
A Best Book of the Year: GOODREADS, BUZZFEED, BOOKRIOT, KIRKUS and LIBRARY JOURNAL
"Completely fierce, unmistakably feminist, and subversively funny, When Women Were Dragons brings the heat to misogyny with glorious imagination and talon-sharp prose. Check the skies tonight—you might just see your mother."—Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry
"Ferociously imagined, incandescent with feeling, this book is urgent and necessary and as exhilarating as a ride on dragonback."—Lev Grossman, author of The Magicians Trilogy
"[A] riveting historical fantasy...What’s surprising about Barnhill’s rare foray into adult fiction is its subversiveness and feminist rage. It’s a powerful, searing novel that feels deeply true, despite its magical premise."—BuzzFeed
What listeners say about When Women Were Dragons
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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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
- Margaret Ryan
- 2024-04-05
The Truth Will Prevail
I was entranced from beginning to end sometimes wondering if there is truth to the story and often aware that there is another truth hidden within the story, the truth of our current situation in this post pandemic world. As the flag of the old Czechoslovakian country read,”The Truth will Prevail”. Great story telling. Highly recommend this book.
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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
- Pat
- 2022-10-23
IT is a (sub), title for every political minority
When dragons (transgendered) (disabled) (gay) pick one. No, PicAll. Sounds like a new political stand, to me. 🤔😉💞
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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
- Zoe Tomashewsky
- 2022-05-20
Worth it for the ending!
This is not an overly exciting listen, but it was definitely a book I will be recommending to my friends. Listen to the memoir of a girl growing up in the 50’s with a dragon twist, where she learns about true family, loss, love and sisterhood. The ending was so sweet and well concluded.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Emma
- 2023-12-11
I loved this!
It’s a lovely read. Some really great themes and I loved all the characters and the dragons brought humour and mystery to it! I wish the storyline about the knots had actually led somewhere but otherwise, it was a very satisfying ending and I loved the whole book. Very creative idea!!!
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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
- Anonymous User
- 2023-06-10
An Absolutely beautiful story of Feminism!
I highly recommend this story to everyone. it was beautifully written and so heartwarming. A must read !!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anna W
- 2023-03-13
Boring
I found this book so boring! The main character’s development was predictable but at many points, maddening. I couldn’t wait to get to the end of this one.
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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
- Aimee
- 2023-04-04
engrossing from the book's dedication
what a creative way to explore and discuss so many issues! artistic. nice choice on narration
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1 person 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
- CAMG
- 2024-07-16
Oh to be a Dragon!
I read this book with my ears via Audible…and at first I really didn’t think I could get through it as the voice actor was soooo slow! Thankfully it was able to be sped up and it made it that much better.
The story itself is a bit slow to start, I kept thinking about someone’s review saying it would have been better as a poem or short story…but honestly it just needs to be read with a open heart.
The main character, Alex is relatable in a way that one struggles to be “a good girl” and listen to the men around her, but wants to follow her heart and is stuck.
Without giving away the story…I believe most women want to be dragons and break free from whatever story they were told to believe…some of us just can’t.
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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
- Tara MacLeod
- 2024-08-21
This may be my favorite book
I know I will have to read this book at some point. The weave of beautiful relationships and a story I wish was true.
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