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Wifedom

Mrs Orwell's Invisible Life

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Wifedom

By: Anna Funder
Narrated by: Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood, Jane Slavin
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About this listen

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, Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) Audiobook of the Year, Short-listed

2024, Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) Biography of the Year, Winner

2024, Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) Social Impact Book of the Year, Short-listed

2024, Nib Literary Award, Short-listed

2024, Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger, Winner

2024, BookPeople (formerly ABA) Book of the Year Award Adult Non-Fiction, Winner

©2023 Anna Funder. All rights reserved. (P)2023 Penguin Audio Art & Literature Authors Gender Studies Social Sciences Women Marriage Thought-Provoking War

Critic Reviews

'Simply, a masterpiece. Here, Anna Funder not only re-makes the art of biography, she resurrects a woman in full.' (Geraldine Brooks, bestselling author)

'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)
All stars
Most relevant
I'm no good at reviews. I'll just say I found the book really interesting, and easy to listen to, even if the story was often sad. I wasn't heaps interested in Orwell specifically, and you don't have to be to enjoy the book. In fact, you might enjoy it more if you if you don't have any particular fondness for him at all. The main character of the book is completely fascinating, the story so exciting, and also very sad.

It took me a little bit to get used to female narrators occasionally putting on male voices. It just seemed weird. After a while, I grew to enjoy it, first as a fun part of what is overall a high quality performance, and then somehow as part of the meta-commentary, on how men speak for women all of the time, without even trying to hide it.

I am so grateful to hear this story about the life of a brilliant woman. I was often horrified, equally at the story itself, but also in the likely potential that I shared all of Eileen's husband's more shameful traits, not to mention possessing none of his genius. Luckily for me, I still benefit from a system that means I can get away with it if I have to, and it seems one can borrow the genius of others and still get all the credit if you just call it something like "domestic influence".

Deeply interesting. A shame inducing look in a patriarchal mirror. Totally brilliant.

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Funder as her wonderful self. Magical to get an insight into Anna’s world as well as Irene’s.

Exquisite

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Anna Funder does not disappoint: a wonderful story / history / analysis that kept me riveted. The narrators’ voices very cleverly done.

My first audible book: pure joy

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Like Funder and I am sure many readers and potential readers of this book, George Orwell has been a literary and political idol since my youth. Funder takes Eileen out of the shadows and brings her to life with marvellous writing craft. As Eileen shines, a shadow Orwell emerges and it's a tough listen. Still processing what this means for my view of Orwell's work.

A correction of history and a tough listen

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This book is brilliant, I would give it 5 out of 5 stars if the Aussie narrator wasn't so irritating... she read it like she was doing a tv commercial. Took me three quarters of the book to get used to it. But if it is ever made with another narrator I would buy it again and listen to it again.

Brilliant book, irritating narration

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Incredible book from wonderful write. Read to give the story even more gravity and enjoyment. Thankyou

Engrossing

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I found this book brillant and challenging - I wept for Eileen and for the women in my family who were also invisible. I think Anna Funder is an incredible researcher and writer, to have found Eileen and unveiled the life that she and Eric shared, in such an extraordinary way. I too, will be rereading George Orwell’s collected works, I am particularly looking forward to Animal Farm!

Extraordinary

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I really enjoyed this book because of Anna's sharp observations about how women have been dealt with and written about (or rather left out of) 'famous' men's biographies. I am sure there are many more female lives like these to add in the future.

A very astute look at women in history

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A lot has been said of the invisible load shouldered by women, but this is the most intricate telling of it positioned in a literary classic that I’ll never look upon the same way again. This book will stay with me.

Powerful

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I liked the reading style, it brought the story to life. I particularly liked the natural use of different accents where appropriate.

Wifedom

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