When Women Were Dragons

A Novel

By: Kelly Barnhill

Narrated by: Kimberly Farr, Mark Bramhall

Length: 15 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's 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.

©2022 Kelly Barnhill (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

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

Argh… Where Be Dragons?

These are not the dragons you’re searching for. I repeat: these are NOT the dragons you’re searching for. Or, at least not the ones I was when I picked up this book.

It had its good points - the championing of libraries and librarians alone earns it a third star - but it wasn’t the tale I wa hoping for. Almost DNF’d several times, but it’s our next book club selection so I persevered. Finishing the last chapter, I mostly felt relief to (finally) be done with this often repetitive, sometimes maddeningly frustrating work.

Book, when women were dragons

If this book was making a statement I really don’t know what it was. The book held my interest but when I got to the end I was disappointed because I still didn’t understand what the author was trying to say.

Slow going

Lots of back story. My attention was not kept until chapter 30. Had really high hopes for this book.

Wonderful Flight

Oh listen to this book. I am no realizing how much Dragon lives within me. I have had my own Dragoning of sorts throughout my life.

Sweet, thoughtful, a masterpiece

I am at a loss of words. Kelly Barnhill has eloquently used them all here. Such a sweet, precious story.

Splendid

I chose this with zero expectations. I’m so glad I decided on this book. I definitely recommend this. Beautiful story and great “food for thought”.

The dragons are returning!

I’m so grateful to Kelly Barnhill for creating this story. I’ve already gifted the book to three people, and listened to it on audibles myself. It’s an empowering, liberating and hopeful vision for women and humanity. there are so many important quotes, like: “Who benefits, my dear, when you force yourself to not be angry? Clearly it isn’t you.”
and”Look up. The skies are full of promise and you are less alone than you think.”

The power of righteous anger cannot be contained forever.

Spoke to my soul

I loved the deep and meaningful imagery and metaphor in this book. It spoke to the dragon in my soul.

worth the listen

I was looking for something light hearted and easy to listen to and this book delivered. I had moments of annoyance with the main character, but it was easy to get over it since she was essentially a child (in the 1950s) so it wasn't a leap to believe she would make silly decisions. I enjoyed the way the story was told and I teared up at a few events. excellent narrator.

Beautifully told story

I’m so glad I chose audible for this beautiful story. What a great mix of fantasy intertwined with the real life challenge of women and the society in which they lived. Never stop growing ladies!