64 pages • 2 hours read
When Women Were Dragons
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Book Brief
340
Novel • Fiction
1950s
2022
Adult
14+ years
Super Short Summary
In Kelly Barnhill's When Women Were Dragons, Alex Green navigates a mid-20th-century America where women mysteriously transform into dragons in moments of rage or desire. As societal repression and censorship attempt to obscure these transformations, Alex pieces together her family's history and the phenomenon of "dragoning," ultimately finding liberation and a new understanding of womanhood amidst a repressive society. The plot includes topics of spousal infidelity and familial abandonment.
Fantastical
Emotional
Inspirational
Mysterious
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
55,551 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Kelly Barnhill's When Women Were Dragons is praised for its imaginative narrative and powerful feminist themes, exploring women's transformation and liberation. Critics commend Barnhill's lyrical prose and compelling characters, though some feel the plot is occasionally uneven. Overall, it's heralded as a thought-provoking and emotive read.
Who Should Read When Women Were Dragons?
Readers who enjoyed the fantastical elements of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern or the feminist themes in The Power by Naomi Alderman will be captivated by Kelly Barnhill's When Women Were Dragons. This novel weaves magic and feminist allegory, appealing to fans of speculative fiction and empowering narratives.
55,551 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
340
Novel • Fiction
1950s
2022
Adult
14+ years
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