British art historian Katy Hessel's enthusiasm for her subject is evident. Drawn from her Instagram, @thegreatwomenartists, this audiobook is a global compendium of female artists spanning the years 1500 to the present. A variety of art forms are included besides painting, drawing, and sculpture, such as quilting and weaving. Hessel has a lot of ground to cover, and she narrates in a rushed efficient manner, as if in a lecture hall. More thoughtful pacing would have made the text easier to follow. Perhaps the print version, with its 300 color illustrations, glossary, and time line would be a better choice, rather than audio. The subject is an important one, and Hessel has much to offer.
Pub Date: May 2, 2023
Duration: 10 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798350815825
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
If Lawson can do it, perhaps that means her listeners can, too.
With good-humored narration, Lawson reminds listeners that sometimes, even when everything feels like it's falling apart, the best thing you can do for yourself is bedazzle the deer head you've been storing in your garage. With contagious conviviality, Lawson provides this solution—alongside other, perhaps more relatable, ones—to help her audience break their cycles of depression, anxiety, and/or endless scrolling. Lawson's laughter bubbles out as she speaks. Her fear is made palpable with every. Emphasized. Word. Her cheery voice quavers with a lifetime of self-imposed nervousness. Yet she narrates (and writes) on. Lawson uses open-hearted honesty to work toward the best version of herself.
If Lawson can do it, perhaps that means her listeners can, too.Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 18 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217281992
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: tomorrow
Listeners will be inspired to let nothing as mundane as money stand in the way of pursuing one’s artistic talent.
Adam Verner’s breezy narration keeps this unusual take on the lives of artists moving at a brisk pace. His resonant voice and matter-of-fact style encourage listeners to engage with a varied group of creative people, including painters, writers, poets, filmmakers, and musicians from across history, who persisted against all odds. Such well-known personages as Cézanne, Kafka, Hayden, van Gogh, and Godard found financial support in many ways, ranging from inheritance, allowance from a relative, day jobs and odd jobs, teaching, rich patrons, government grants, and even theft. Incongruous as it may seem, day jobs and unrelated life experiences may actually provide inspiration for the creative spirit.
Listeners will be inspired to let nothing as mundane as money stand in the way of pursuing one’s artistic talent.Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 24 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250432490
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: April 21, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
