I Who Have Never Known Men

De: Jacqueline Harpman

Narrado por: Nikki Massoud

Deep underground, 39 women live imprisoned in a cage. Watched over by guards, the women have no memory of how they got there, no notion of time, and only a vague recollection of their lives before.

As the burn of electric light merges day into night and numberless years pass, a young girl—the 40th prisoner—sits alone and outcast in the corner. Soon she will show herself to be the key to the others’ escape and survival in the strange world that awaits them above ground.

Informed by her background as a psychoanalyst and her youth in exile, I Who Have Never Known Men is a haunting, heartbreaking post-apocalyptic novel of female friendship and intimacy, and the lengths people will go to maintain their humanity in the face of devastation. Back in print for the first time since 1997, Jacqueline Harpman’s modern classic is an important addition to the growing canon of feminist speculative literature.

This audio edition of I Who Have Never Known Men is expertly read by Nikki Massoud, a listener favorite. Produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont.

©1997, 2019 Ros Schwartz (P)2024 Echo Point Books & Media, LLC

Fascinating!

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book just from the description, however, it is incredibly unique. I finished it in one sitting! 

Absolutely gripping

This is a wonderful book. There are no answers to big questions, just a study of what it is to be human.

Amazing!

Great story that makes you think while it continues to reveal new and unknown circumstances.

Phenomenal

Those who love books have all come across those that change what you believe a book can do, and this is one of those for me. Just gorgeous, agonizing prose. Surprised this hasn’t been picked up by the cult of BookTok yet!! It’s got all the dark and sad and genius that demand virality.

dystopian mystery

fantastic read that had me thinking about even the simple pleasures of my life. this could have been a much larger book, but the author flies through a rather lengthy lifespan quickly. capturing "highlights" rather than dwelling on years of solitude and redundancy.

Interesting concept

It’s a quick and interesting listen. If you go into it expecting action or drama you will be disappointed. More thought provoking than exciting.

Astonishing

I’ve never read a book quite like this. It will stay with me for a long time.

Interesting Prose with a Mystery

I would have liked the main character to have found someone for company in the end or a reason for this happening to them. We are left wondering. This is well written though and thought provoking.

Humanity

If you're looking for a dystopia/sci-fi book with a happy ending or a sense of closure, you won't like this book. If you want a dystopia/sci-fi book that is thought-provoking and questions how much of humanity is constructed based on social norms and gender rolls, you'll probably really enjoy this book. In the end, the author admits this book isn't for everyone and hasn't broken out into the mainstream book scene, but sometimes those are the best books. I enjoyed this book greatly, but I would only recommend it to people who I know also enjoy questioning the existence of everything.

Very emotional and unusual

I liked the spunky main character and the mystery and imagination of the storyline. I did not like that the mystery was not solved. The ending could have remained the same, but the Child should have found the answers among the ruins of the world during her explorations. Her efforts all felt very futile, although the realism of the women's daily struggles was entirely convincing. I would love it if the author expanded the novel and answered some of the questions!