Vanessa Moyen's narration is the perfect blend of the heartfelt and the academic in this collection of essays about the feminist possibilities of female monsters. Zimmerman examines some of Greek mythology's most famous female monsters, from Circe to Medusa, and the traits that make them monstrous: greed, hunger, ambition, ugliness. Blending personal stories and a critique of contemporary culture with a fresh analysis of these myths, she explains how celebrating--even embracing--the monstrous can lead to liberation. Moyen smoothly imbues her narration with passion, wit, and the occasional rumble of anger. Whether the essays are about the Sirens, the objectification of women in the media, the saga of the Odyssey, fat phobia, or something else, Moyen modulates her voice perfectly to match the material, creating a cohesive and thoroughly enjoyable listening experience.
Pub Date: March 9, 2021
Duration: 7 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780807054963
Publisher: Beacon Press
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Narrator Amber Dekkers guides listeners through the trials and tribulations of the relatively unknown writer Sanora Babb. Her life began with an abusive and impoverished childhood in eastern Colorado. As an adult in California, she associated with creatives such as Ray Bradbury, James Wong Howe, and Ralph Ellison. Her own writing, however, was often pushed aside and ignored. Dekkers' thoughtful narration takes listeners through Babb's complicated life, which included being blacklisted during the McCarthy era and her illegal (at the time) interracial relationships. Dekkers' emotionally balanced performance allows listeners to take in the life of a writer who sought joy even in tragedy.
Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2025
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798331958947
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Sophie Gilbert provides an informed yet approachable delivery of her research on pop culture and how misogyny framed the narrative of commercial feminine empowerment. Listeners who came of age during the late 1990s through the 2000s, or were plugged into the popular cultural moments then, may have vivid memories of Britney Spears at the Video Music Awards, Kim Kardashian on reality TV, and/or the ever-present pressure to "lean in," originating with Sheryl Sandberg. In an even delivery and a reflective tone, Gilbert conveys her research on how misogynistic cultural messages, some bolstered by the rise of violent Internet pornography, had a direct impact on the development of the Millennial generation. Her audiobook is a critical reflection on popular consumer culture.
Pub Date: April 29, 2025
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217021376
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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