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Wifedom
- Mrs Orwell's Invisible Life
- Narrated by: Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood, Jane Slavin
- Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Looking for wonder and some reprieve from the everyday, Anna Funder slips into the pages of her hero George Orwell. As she watches him create his writing self, she tries to remember her own…
And when she uncovers his forgotten wife, it’s a revelation. Eileen O’Shaughnessy’s literary brilliance shaped Orwell’s work and her practical nous saved his life. But why – and how – was she written out of the story? Using newly discovered letters from Eileen to her best friend, Funder recreates the Orwells’ marriage, through the Spanish Civil War and WWII in London. As she rolls up the screen concealing Orwell’s private life she is led to question what it takes to be a writer – and what it is to be a wife.
Compelling and utterly original, Wifedom speaks to the unsung work of women everywhere today, while offering a breathtakingly intimate view of one of the most important literary marriages of the 20th century. It is a book that speaks to our present moment as much as it illuminates the past.
2024 Indie Book Awards Non Fiction Short-listed
2024 Gordon Burn Prize Short-listed
2024 Women's Prize for Non Fiction Long-listed
2024, ABIA Audiobook of the Year, Short-listed
2024, ABIA Biography Book of the Year, Short-listed
2024, ABIA Social Impact Book of the Year, Short-listed
Critic Reviews
'A sharp, captivating look at a complicated relationship and a resurrection of a vital figure in Orwell’s life.’ (Kirkus Reviews)
‘A virtuoso performance on the theme, adding personal memoir, some fictional reconstructions and a glittering sense of purpose.’ (The New York Times)
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What listeners say about Wifedom
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- Anonymous User
- 14-08-2023
Brilliant
Loved every minute of this. Made me think. Creating a story from a negative is no mean feat.
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- Anonymous User
- 10-09-2023
Fabulous
The narrators brought the story and characters to life in a wonderful way, will revisit Orwells books after listening
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- Anonymous User
- 21-08-2023
A micro account of the patriarchy at its worst
I was so moved by this book. The title of the book didn’t lure me to begin with but the story is just so well written and there were so many recommendations. I loved this book!!
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- B. Rumble
- 07-01-2024
The misogynistic patriarch system which leaves us women ‘invisible’.
An incredibly beautiful story lifting the veil and breathing much needed life into Eileen O’Shaughnessey aka Mrs George Orwell.
Animal Farm and 1984 were part of my literature study at high school, celebrating the brilliance of George Orwell. Wifedom, should be read next to give light to the real driving force behind these works, sacrifices understood and lived, insight into the (ugly) patriarchal system and how one woman remained faithful, loyal, dignified & elegant literally to the end; her end.
Eileen is invisible no more.
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- Anonymous User
- 13-01-2024
Eye opening!
What an incredible book! A great behind the scenes book of a pure narcissist George Orwell.
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- HelenB
- 22-01-2024
This book will stay with you long after it finishes
Although 1984 is one of my all time favourite books, I always felt Julia was an odd fit for the rest of the book, Funder reconciles these anomalies using a patchwork of primary sources and speculative fiction to fill in the gaps. A must read that will offer you another way of looking at the strength and subjugation of women in patriarchy
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- Monica Ollie
- 30-01-2024
Wonderful, devastating
Despite her enormous talents, her irrepressible life, her accomplishments, and countless people who loved her, Elaine Blair still was (nearly) lost to history. This book changes that. And it does so in a thoughtful manner, caring and nuanced way.
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- Anonymous User
- 28-02-2024
Behind every great man…
Brilliant inter-weaving of fact with imagined perspectives of the women in Orwell’s life. Anna Funder has brought Eileen O’Shaughnessy into the light she deserves.
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- Michelle Birkic
- 31-10-2023
Amazing insights into the lot of women
The writer cleverly flits between perceptions of George Orwells life from many players and celebrates the life of his wife, forgotten by most due to patriarchy and critically analyses this in an imaginative way. Loved it.
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- David
- 15-11-2023
Brilliantly written
I enjoyed this book more the further I read. It actually worked quite well to have the present author’s life woven into the narrative. It gave it a current perspective. I doubt George Orwell would have liked it…
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