Hags cover art

Hags

The Demonisation of Middle-Aged Women

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Hags

By: Victoria Smith
Narrated by: Victoria Smith
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About this listen

 'Rich, complex and witty' ROSE GEORGE, SPECTATOR

'Devastating and clever' BEL MOONEY, DAILY MAIL

'Could not be more necessary' RACHEL COOKE, OBSERVER

What is about women in their forties and beyond that seems to enrage - almost everyone?

In the last few years, as identity politics have taken hold, middle-aged women have found themselves talked and written about as morally inferior beings: the face of bigotry, entitlement and selfishness, to be ignored, pitied or abused.

In Hags, Victoria Smith asks why these women are treated with such active disdain. Each chapter takes a different theme - care work, beauty, violence, political organization, sex - and explores it in relation to middle-aged women's beliefs, bodies, histories and choices. Smith traces the attitudes she describes through history, and explores the very specific reasons why this type of misogyny is so very now. The result is a book that is absorbing, insightful, witty and bang on time.

Shortlisted for the Nero Book Awards announced 21 November 2023. ©2023 Victoria Smith (P)2023 Hachette Audio UK Gender Studies Social Sciences Witty

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All stars
Most relevant  
Such a powerful argument. I’m a man who has always tried to be a good feminist, but I’ve definitely fallen into some of the traps Smith discusses here and I’m glad she has been able to put me right. I think anyone who is prepared to dive into this book will come out a better feminist than they were before.

Wonderful piece of work

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This book explores how society marginalises and demonises older women. Links to current events.

The demonisation of midle aged women

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Enjoyed the way the author narrated this relatable book. Full of really intetesting ideas for women of all ages to contemplate.

Why the voices of older women are often ignored. Interesting and accessible.

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This should prescribed reading for young women across the world. Maybe if our girls read more of this we would have less girls being manipulated.

Fantastic

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Very well written and now that I have listened feel like I need to read it also. All women should read this.

Well researched and written

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This extremely perceptive book explains much about the lot of women, not least the divide and rule tactics of the patriarchy that so many of us, including myself, fell prey to when younger.

Brilliant. Sadly this book makes so much sense.

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The depth of the analysis and the insights in this sometimes made me catch my breath. It is revelatory. I’m going to have to get the book as well because I know I will need to refer to the analysis in it in future because it has pricked my consciousness so many times. Overall it’s a fantastic contribution to feminist thought.

I can’t fault the narration either, the author speaks with an engaging tone and at a pace I was content with.

A sober reflection on how patriarchy divides generations of women

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This is essential reading/listening for anyone interested in feminism. Smith’s writing is razor sharp and cuts straight to the bone, while remaining balanced and well researched.

An Important and Valuable Work

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This is such an important book. Do I only think it's important because I am now an invisible middle-aged hag? Maybe, but I like to think that if it had been recommended to me in one of my younger incarnations of feminism, I would have read it and not dismissed it.

I plan to pass it on to some of the younger women I know...

The moment I recognised myself

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Brilliant and important book I will be recommending and gifting to the other hags in my life.

Important book

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