Women Talking
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Women Talking
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Narrated by:
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Matthew Edison
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Written by:
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Miriam Toews
About this listen
A FINALIST FOR THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S LITERARY AWARD: A transformative and necessary work--as completely unexpected as it is inspired--by the award-winning author of the bestselling novels All My Puny Sorrows and A Complicated Kindness.
The sun rises on a quiet June morning in 2009. August Epp sits alone in the hayloft of a barn, anxiously bent over his notebook. He writes quickly, aware that his solitude will soon be broken. Eight women--ordinary grandmothers, mothers and teenagers; yet to August, each one extraordinary-- will climb the ladder into the loft, and the day's true task will begin. This task will be both simple and subversive: August, like the women, is a traditional Mennonite, and he has been asked to record a secret conversation.
Thus begins Miriam Toews' spellbinding novel. Gradually, as we hear the women's vivid voices console, tease, admonish, regale and debate each other, we piece together the reason for the gathering: they have forty-eight hours to make a life-altering choice on behalf of all the women and children in the colony. And like a vast night sky coming into view behind the bright sparks of their voices, we learn of the devastating events that have led to this moment.
Acerbic, funny, tender, sorrowful and wise, Women Talking is composed of equal parts humane love and deep anger. It is award-winning writer Miriam Toews' most astonishing novel to date, containing within its two short days and hayloft setting an expansive, timeless universe of thinking and feeling about women--and men--in our contemporary world.
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 936
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- Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
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Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 97
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Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 84
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Story4.5 out of 5 stars 83
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5 out of 5 stars
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What the critics say
- Finalist for the 2018 Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction
“An exquisite critique of patriarchal culture.... Stunningly original and altogether arresting.” (Kirkus Review, starred review)
“[A] sharp blade of a novel.... Toews’s eviscerating fictionalization of this incendiary reality focuses not on the violence but, rather, on the keen, subversive intelligence of the Mennonite women, their philosophical casts of mind, clashing personalities, and deep concerns about family and faith." (Booklist, starred review)
“Compelling.... Women Talking is no ordinary book, and even before hitting the shelves it’s got people talking. Some who received advance copies, including Canadian writer Margaret Atwood, have placed it firmly in the camp of feminist books that will become part of a canon that questions the patriarchy.” (Deborah Dundas, Toronto Star)
Editorial Review
Set in the fictional Mennonite community of Molotschna and taking place over 48 hours, Women Talking focuses on August Epp, a former outcast who has recently been welcomed back into the fold. August sits alone in the colony’s hayloft, preparing for what is to come. Eight members of the Mennonite colony—all women—arrive to detail their experiences, describing how they—and many other women and children—have suffered being tormented and violated by the community’s most powerful men.
Throughout the tales that the women weave, listeners begin to understand why they have entered the hayloft to speak to Epp: they need a voice. The women do not speak English and cannot read or write. As the devastating events are revealed, the women wrestle with what they should do next. Should they do nothing? Should they stay and fight? Or should they leave the community altogether?
Matthew Edison narrates this astonishing account of women’s oppression and courage. Listen before you watch— Women Talking is now an award-winning film directed by Sarah Polley and starring Jessie Buckley and Claire Foy.
Featured Article: Outstanding Female Authors Everyone Ought to Listen to
Throughout history, women have crafted some of the most incredible and beloved stories in the world. From rising stars to household names, female authors have contributed some of the best works of all time for our listening pleasure. At times, especially in societies where gender roles and expectations were rigidly defined, women would write under pen names to avoid the fact that a woman was behind the work. Discover the best female authors.
What listeners say about Women Talking
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
- JB
- 2018-09-18
Toews does it again
Having read Toews’ “A Complicated Kindness” and come out the other side heavy with emotion and haunted, I was excited to undertake this topic with Toews - a former Mennonite. At first I thought the books narrator/narrative would bother me, but I quickly became spellbound because of Toews’ gift for language and designing characters. I would highly recommend this book to others and would suggest giving it your full attention so you can dig more deeply into the story she weaves and topics she tackles. #Audible1
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1 person 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
- Françoise
- 2023-06-14
Fantastic
After seeing the film, it is a pure joy to listen to this book, even when the story is heart breaking. The film is a really great adaptation. Thank you to Miriam Toews and Sarah Polley.
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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
- Patricia Filteau
- 2019-06-22
A must read
So well written. Dialogue exquisite. The dialogue really drew me into the sentiment of the characters. I felt a part of the colony while reading and listening the novel. I could readily sense the environment, the landscape, the people, the smells, the structures, the tensions, the voices ... the agony. The dramatization was well done. In a word, I savoured the story and wanted it to continue. Bravo, Miriam , for yet another moving insight into why people behave the way they do.
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3 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
- Neha Pathak
- 2023-12-29
incredible
what an incredible story of the power and resilience of women and sisterhood. I loved this book. I found my own healing and strength within it
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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
- Paula
- 2018-12-11
Slow but appropriately so
Great listen. The narrator was fantastic. The humour, humanity, and respect he conveyed with Toews words was illustrative. I grew up near a Mennnite community and know some Menonites so I felt what was reflected in the book was realistic and insightful.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Lori
- 2024-01-19
Not Toews Best Work
I like Miriam Toews but this book was pretty dull. A lot of talk but no plot whatsoever.
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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
- Kathy
- 2018-09-22
Miriam does not disappoint
I loved this book and the narration was great. These women are so resilient Definitely a must read in these times of #metoo.
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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
- Kate Franks
- 2020-08-19
Compelling, philosophical talk about identity
I have read other books by Miriam Toews and value the insights she presents into different life experiences. This book, although emotionally battering or perhaps because it was, forcefully reminded me that education must be a fundamental human right.
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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
- Karen Dougall
- 2023-01-26
Women Talking thought provoking
Very interesting the phases of consideration of pros and cons, mental/emotional anguish love it
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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
- alison fleming
- 2023-05-20
Moved by the process of democracy and how each woman got to have her say
This is a wonderful evocative fictitious account of a true event that reflects the situation of so many women around the world. Excellent reader.
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