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The Five
- The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper
- Narrated by: Louise Brealey
- Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins
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The Five
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Publisher's Summary
Five devastating human stories and a dark and moving portrait of Victorian London - the untold lives of the women killed by Jack the Ripper.
Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary-Jane are famous for the same thing, though they never met. They came from Fleet Street, Knightsbridge, Wolverhampton, Sweden and Wales. They wrote ballads, ran coffeehouses and lived on country estates; they breathed ink dust from printing presses and escaped people traffickers.
What they had in common was the year of their murders: 1888. The person responsible was never identified, but the character created by the press to fill that gap has become far more famous than any of these five women.
For more than a century, newspapers have been keen to tell us that ‘the Ripper’ preyed on prostitutes. Not only is this untrue, as historian Hallie Rubenhold has discovered, it has prevented the real stories of these fascinating women from being told. Now, in this devastating narrative of five lives, Rubenhold finally sets the record straight, revealing a world not just of Dickens and Queen Victoria but of poverty, homelessness and rampant misogyny. They died because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time - but their greatest misfortune was to be born a woman.
What listeners say about The Five
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 06-11-2019
Sad but fascinating insight
Really enjoyed hearing about the detailed lives of women from this era. Great for the family historian who wonders about her female ancestors from this era. I like that it’s not the posh Pride & Prejudice types but the poorer working classes. Gives great insight into how difficult a woman’s life was back then and how quickly their circumstances could shift.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 09-01-2023
Incredible book, read brilliantly
Enjoyed this so much. Somehow this very history-dense book remains thrilling. It is a much needed tribute and memorial to five fascinating women. The reading of this book is the best I’ve heard. Thank you
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Yibeltal kebede
- 22-01-2023
Simply beautifully written book.
I loved how author focused on the victims and it was like we’re diving into the victim’s souls. By the end of the book, I couldn’t help to tear up because I fully understood the causes behind the story, just beautifully depicted. Thank you!!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- L Murdoch
- 31-05-2024
Moving stories, beautifully told
Beautifully told stories of the victims and interesting look into the lives and struggles of working class women at this time.
The book gives life and soul to the victims, rather than concentrating on the myths surrounding their deaths.
The narrator has great delivery and enough light and shade to tell a harsh but very moving story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jessica Law
- 17-01-2021
A beautifully written tale of the forgotten women
Loved this book and the narrator. Beautifully written, at times heart-wrenching. A well researched look into the canonical five victims of Jack the Ripper and their backgrounds, dispelling the myth that they were “just prostitutes”. Recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 14-09-2021
Great story
I enjoyed the narration and the perspective from the victims point of view . It was difficult days for women on all levels . Thank goodness women’s rights have progressed with time z
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 07-04-2022
Extraordinary.
After having had my mind blown by listening to the excellent companion podcast, entitled Bad Women by Pushkin, to this riveting book last year I was determined to learn more about these dehumanised victims as I realised that they were faceless to me which this compelling read far exceeded as it gives undeniable texture to these highly complex women who deserved a fate infinity better than they received from the heinous murderer of the title.
It is seriously a must read for anyone who has ever heard absolutely anything about this infamous tale in order to be treated to a sometimes gut wrenching masterclass in deep empathy that will leave an indelible impression long after you finish it.
👍🏼👍🏼 #fivestars
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Leis
- 19-06-2022
Very interesting
I loved this book and it’s focus on the lives of the victims of the ripper rather than on the criminal himself. Undoing the myths surrounding the lives of these victims has given them a new dignity and humanity.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Julia Balcombe
- 25-07-2020
Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant!
Superb writing...deeply moving....should be a set book in every school. The narrator has the perfect tone of voice for this work.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Teresa
- 13-05-2021
Powerful
Great book does not do this important work justice. Should be compulsory reading for everyone.
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