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William - an Englishman

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William - an Englishman

By: Cicely Hamilton
Narrated by: Stephanie Racine
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About this listen

A satirical view of the suffragette movement and an unblinking yet compassionate story that chronicles the impact of the First World War on an ordinary young couple, William – an Englishman by Cicely Hamilton won the first Prix Femina-Vie Heureuse prize in 1919.

Written in a hospital tent to the sound of gunfire and shells falling, Cicely Hamilton drew on her experiences working in France during WW1 to tell the story of William Tully and his new bride Griselda, who are wrenched away from their all-consuming interests – socialism and votes for women – and plunged into the almost dream-like horror of war. As brutal tragedy strikes, their attitude to both pacifism and patriotism is altered and their lives are changed forever.

William - An Englishman is part of the Persephone Audiobook Collection, a series of forgotten classics that includes neglected fiction and non-fiction by women writers. First published in 1919, this edition includes a preface by writer and MD of Persephone Books, Nicola Beauman.

 20th Century Classics Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Satire World War I Witty War

Critic reviews

Written in a rage in 1918; this extraordinary novel is a passionate assertion of the futility of war
Terrifically good . . . very poignant, evoking the war is what she does as well as anything I've read (Anne Harvey)
Profoundly moving
All stars
Most relevant
Beautifully read, but felt just went on a little too long. Could have been wrapped up earlier

Enjoyed most but a little too long

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gentle but profound, sensitive observation and persuasive plot. this is an excellent insight and kindly take of the humble life of an ordinary Englishman

gentle and profound

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