When Women Were Dragons

A Novel

by Kelly Regan Barnhill

English language

Published May 7, 2022 by Diversified Publishing.

ISBN:: 978-0-593-60808-1

(3 reviews)

Learn about the Mass Dragoning of 1955 in which 300,000 women spontaneously transform into dragons...and change the world.

Alex Green is a young girl in a world much like ours. But this version of 1950's America is characterized by a significant event: The Mass Dragoning of 1955, when hundreds of thousands of ordinary wives and mothers sprouted wings, scales and talons, left a trail of fiery destruction in their path, and took to the skies. Seemingly for good. Was it their choice? What will become of those left behind? Why did Alex's beloved Aunt Marla transform but her mother did not? Alex doesn't know. It's taboo to speak of, even more so than her crush on Sonja, her schoolmate.

Learn about the Mass Dragoning of 1955 in which 300,000 women spontaneously transform into dragons...and change the world.

Forced into silence, Alex nevertheless must face the consequences of dragons: a mother more protective than ever; a father growing increasingly distant; the upsetting insistence that her aunt never even existed; and a new "sister" obsessed with dragons far beyond propriety. Through loss, rage, and self-discovery, this story follows Alex's journey as she deals with the events leading up to and beyond the Mass Dragoning, and her connection with the phenomenon itself.

2 editions

Ameimse reviewed When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Regan Barnhill

Un récit de libération, plein de rage, de frustration et d'émotions

5 stars

L'histoire d'une adolescente blanche dans les années 50, dans des États-Unis marqués par la transformation soudaine de plus de 600.000 femmes en dragons. Un récit plein de rage et de frustrations, d'émotions et de vie, sur le poids des non-dits, des silences imposés et d'une discipline intériorisée. Mais c'est aussi une histoire d'affirmation et, à terme, de libération. Un livre au concept un peu déroutant de prime à bord (ces transformations en dragons dans le décor terriblement figé et oppressif de l'Amérique des années 50) mais qui se révèle tellement attachant, et se lit d'une traite et accompagne durablement.

mirihawk reviewed When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Regan Barnhill

Amazing

5 stars

This book is extremely well written and powerful. I highly recommend it.

KnittedMushroom reviewed When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Regan Barnhill

Review of 'When Women Were Dragons' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I think this was the fastest I've ever read a book. The chapters are short and punchy in the beginning, each referencing a significant moment in the "authors" life. The book is written as a memoir with scientific journals/court docs/opinion piece in newspapers mixed in between.

I loved the descriptions of knot magic throughout the book as an avid knitter/crocheter/weaver, so that may be what was pulling me through the first half of the book.

I really appreciated that the dragon allegory and society's reaction to it in the book can be applied to several topics outside of the classic 1950's feminism talking points. Yes you can slap the "They're talking about women's periods" onto it and just leave it be, but the book does spend a healthy amount of time talking about the emotional "why" of dragons and if you're looking, it very much isn't a biological thing.

I …