57 pages • 1 hour read
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper
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Book Brief
368
Biography • Nonfiction
London, England • 1880s
2019
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Five by Hallie Rubenhold focuses on the lives of five women, often overshadowed by their association with Jack the Ripper. The book humanizes Mary Ann "Polly" Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly, highlighting their personal stories, backgrounds, and the societal challenges they faced in Victorian London.
Informative
Mysterious
Dark
Melancholic
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Hallie Rubenhold’s The Five has been praised for its meticulous research and compassionate portrayal of Jack the Ripper's victims, bringing their stories and the socio-economic struggles of Victorian women to light. However, some readers found its focus on social history over true crime disappointing. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and empathetic work that reclaims the victims' identities.
Who Should Read The Five?
Readers fascinated by social history and women's stories will enjoy The Five by Hallie Rubenhold. This book is ideal for those who appreciated The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot or Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, as it meticulously reconstructs the lives of Jack the Ripper's victims, emphasizing their humanity over their deaths.
368
Biography • Nonfiction
London, England • 1880s
2019
Adult
18+ years
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