Give a gift that speaks volumes! SHOP GIFTS

When Women Were Dragons: A Novel

Written by:
Kelly Barnhill
Narrated by:
Kimberly Farr , Mark Bramhall

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
41
Narrator
12
Release Date
May 3, 2022
Duration
15 hours 29 minutes
Summary
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.
Reviews
Profile Avatar
Shari P.

I loved the concept of this book, but felt it was too long and drawn out. Too many details that didn’t need to be included made the primary idea of the book get lost. At the end I still felt like was so much more I wanted to know. I don’t consider myself a man hater or a feminist, but I did enjoy parts of the book about some women achieving power.

Profile Avatar
Tabatha chase

I wanted to love this book because the concept was fascinating, but it just didn’t hit the mark for me. It felt like a long, drawn-out story with far too many unnecessary details. I struggled to connect with any of the characters, and there was never a hook or anything that truly grabbed me. Ultimately, it was a slow narrative about a woman who never actually turns into a dragon. While I understood the abuse and anti-feminist elements were reflective of the time period, it was hard to grasp the concept of the "dragon escape" the book seemed to promise. The last chapter was, by far, the best part of the book, but unfortunately, it couldn’t make up for the slow and disjointed journey that led there.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

The narrator was a little slow reading, but the story is amazing

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

I loved this book. Kept my interest through whole story.

Profile Avatar
Brian J.

This book is for man haters. If you don't like hearing about sexual abuse with 200 young girls and abuse toward women this is not your book. I was terribly disappointed, the story was either about abuse and shocking or very flat and boring. Also it was very long and I really don't understand all the good reviews.

Profile Avatar
Susan P.

Fun, creative and thought provoking!

1 book added to cart
Subtotal
$22.50
View Cart