Normal Women Audiobook By Philippa Gregory cover art

Normal Women

Nine Hundred Years of Making History

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Normal Women

By: Philippa Gregory
Narrated by: Philippa Gregory, Clare Corbett, Tania Rodrigues, Nneka Okoye, James Goode, Joe Jameson
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About this listen

The #1 New York Times bestselling historical novelist delivers her magnum opus—a landmark work of feminist nonfiction that radically redefines our understanding of the extraordinary roles ordinary women played throughout British history and “should be included in every history lesson” (Glamour UK)

“As author and lead narrator, Gregory’s passion for this topic is evidence in her confident narration. . . . This audio should be savored. . . . This stellar work will be of interest to feminists, historians, Anglophiles, and those who like learning more about women throughout history.”—Booklist (starred review)

Did you know that there are more penises than women in the Bayeux Tapestry? That the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 was started and propelled by women who were protesting a tax on women? Or that celebrated naturalist Charles Darwin believed not just that women were naturally inferior to men, but that they’d evolve to become ever more inferior?

These are just a few of the startling findings you will learn from reading Philippa Gregory’s Normal Women. In this ambitious and groundbreaking book, she tells the story of England over 900 years, for the very first time placing women—some fifty per cent of the population—center stage.

Using research skills honed in her work as one of our foremost historical novelists, Gregory trawled through court records, newspapers, and journals to find highwaywomen and beggars, murderers and brides, housewives and pirates, female husbands and hermits. The “normal women” you will meet in these pages went to war, ploughed the fields, campaigned, wrote, and loved. They rode in jousts, flew Spitfires, issued their own currency, and built ships, corn mills and houses. They committed crimes or treason, worshipped many gods, cooked and nursed, invented things, and rioted. A lot.

A landmark work of scholarship and storytelling, Normal Women chronicles centuries of social and cultural change—from 1066 to modern times—powered by the determination, persistence, and effectiveness of women.

“Lively, timely and gloriously energetic. Each page bursts with life, and every chapter swirls with personalities left out of traditional narratives of Britain’s past. Philippa Gregory has produced something rare and wonderful: a genuinely new history of [Britain], with women at its beating heart.”—Dan Jones, New York Times bestselling author of The Plantagenets

“Stunning. . . . Full of surprises. . . . A brilliant, essential read.”—The Independent (UK)

©20322 Philippa Gregory (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers
Editor's Select Great Britain Women England
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Editorial Review

Philippa Gregory at her best
The queen of British historical fiction is back, but this time, Philippa Gregory delivers a remarkable work of historical nonfiction. Covering more than 900 years of history, Normal Women is possibly Gregory’s most ambitious project so far. And better yet, the audio is equally ambitious for the genre, featuring a multicast performance led by Gregory herself. But much like her repertoire of historical fiction, Normal Women still approaches history through the eyes of women. From queens to beggars, housewives to pirates, and even witches, Gregory excels at refocusing British history through the extraordinary accomplishments of ordinary women. It’s an important addition to the historical record and a must-listen for history buffs and fans of historical fiction. — Audible Editor, Michael C.

What listeners say about Normal Women

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    5 out of 5 stars

Stop what you’re doing and listen to this book!

The best book I’ve listened to all year. The depth of research is outstanding. The author uses a multifaceted perspective and approach to attempt to give the broadest view, while maintaining that this is simply her voice, one of many women. It’s a scary time for women in 2024. I live in a state where my rights are vanishing. My mother at 60 had more rights in her 20’s than I do now. This book reminds me of the power of women. I will not soon forget it.

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13 people found this helpful

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Not that enjoyable

Just not my taste. It was gifted to me i would return if i could

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6 people found this helpful

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Every woman should read this

I must thank the author for such outstanding writing and research. This book was eye opening yet justification of women’s oppression through the years. I’ve asked my daughters to read this book!

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4 people found this helpful

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Outstanding

It's so nice to see women put back into history. Too long has history only included men.

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1 person found this helpful

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A Masterwork

This isn't just a book. It's a hidden library of all the stories you long suspected were out there, but had never been told. If you like history and you like women, you'll probably cherish this book. If you don't like this book, you may not be as big a fan of one of those two things as you think you are. I hope this book gets big enough that patriarchal historians feel the need to go on podcasts and try to discredit her, and, by doing so, add a funny and predictable epilogue to this amazing work. Thanks for the stories, Ms. Gregory. I'll share them with my daughter and help her add her own chapter.

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Different than her other books

This is a great book, but not what I expected. It is not a story like her others, but more of a fascinating report of intense research into the lives of women through the history of England, starting in 1066. The book is peppered with little editorial comments from the author, as well as some of her humor. I feel that I have a greater understanding of how we got to the attitudes towards women that I grew up with, and have seen happily evolve. This book stuck to my ribs, and left me with a lot to think about. Recommended highly.

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Dull listing of things women did/owned

Perhaps if there was a bit more structure, this could be interesting. As it is. this is just a long, rambling list of anecdotal tidbits about women strung together. Maybe reading it would be better than listening to it, I couldn't finish it and I'm a history buff.

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18 people found this helpful

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Remarkably interesting and eye opening

This book is so amazingly researched. It has the most remarkable set of stories and incidents. Beautifully organized. A great audio experience.

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9 people found this helpful

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A Perfect Book!

Perfect narration, amazing compilation of our little known history. I loved this book from start to finish and will likely keep in a biannual rotation! Thank you Ms. Gregory!

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I stopped listening…..

when it was suggested that Donald Trump admitted to assaulting women. When did he admit that? You mean the locker room talk. 😏

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