Friends of Dorothy by Sandi Toksvig
After much searching, the happily married young couple, Amber and Stevie think they have found the perfect spot in Grimaldi Square.
Despite the rundown pub across the way, the overgrown garden and a decidedly nosy neighbour, number 4 is the house of their dreams. Stevie, a woman who has never left anything to chance, has planned everything so nothing can spoil their happiness.
But . . . upstairs in their new home, seated on an old red sofa is the woman they bought the place from — eighty-year-old foul-mouthed, straight-talking, wise-cracking Dorothy – who has decided that she’s not going anywhere.
It turns out that Dorothy will be only the first in a line of life-changing surprises.Friends of Dorothy by Sandi Toksvig is a touching, funny novel about a family that is not biological, but logical.Out 26th September.
Pre-order a signed copy now: https://brnw.ch/21wJr08
We’re thrilled to reveal stunning new look editions for Sarah Waters’ Victorian novels.
Spellbinding, simmering and written with startling power, these novels have thrilled and delighted readers since their first publication.
Now, they are to be enjoyed anew with artwork by Jesse Mockrin and art direction by Nico Taylor.
‘When I started work on my first novel, Tipping the Velvet, back in 1995, I had no idea that I was embarking on a journey that would absorb me for so long, would take me into so many different literary and historical settings. The journey has been, and still is, an absolute joy. I hope you admire the books’ new covers, with their glorious Jesse Mockrin artwork, as much as I do!’
SARAH WATERS
Available to pre-order now: https://brnw.ch/21wI387
We are thrilled to reveal the cover for our newest anthology: The Virago Book of Friendship.
From the Bible to Yellowface, @msrachelcooke explores female friendship in literature through the extracts of over 90 contributing authors including Jane Austen, Nora Ephron, Alison Bechdel, Sheila Heti and many more.
Out 5th September.
We've had the privilege of hosting fifty Virago authors on our podcast - Ourshelves. In each episode we explore our author's cultural worlds, from their bookshelves to their record collections, to discover what inspires them.
Do you have a favourite episode, or season?
‘I can tell the story of my life in just four words. Good times, Bad times.’
There is nothing quite like a novel by Sigrid Nunez. The Vulnerables is out in hardback January 2024. Can't wait till then? The ebook is available now! Find out more: https://brnw.ch/21wEL8G
Have you discovered the Virago podcast, Ourshelves? A space where readers can discover their favourite authors' cultural worlds.
Find out more, including a list of the fifty guests we've hosted so far, here: https://brnw.ch/21wEzNj
That's a wrap.
The latest season of Ourshelves has come to a close - fill the void by revisiting some of your favourite episodes.
Dive in to the cultural worlds of Margaret Atwood, Austin Channing Brown, Monica Ali, Sigrid Nunez, Kaitlyn Greenidge or one of our other fifty guests wherever you listen to podcasts.
Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the start of our next season!
Explore all fifty guests here: https://brnw.ch/21wEpjz
#OnThisDay in 1973 the newly-named Virago Press is official. Virago, a feminist business was officially listed as a publishing company in June 1973.
Explore five decades of Virago here: https://fal.cn/3zgo8
OurShelves returns this June.
Get ready to dive back in and explore our guests bookshelves, record collections and recollections to discover what inspires them!
Find Ourshelves wherever you listen to podcasts.
Celebrate five decades of Virago Press with our stunning Five Gold Reads collection - one book from each decade of Virago's publishing history.
Angela Carter's highly acclaimed polemic enlisting the Marquis de Sade in an argument about women's sexual freedom: The Sadeian Woman was first published in 1979.
A stunning collection of poems from Grace Nichols, winner of the Queen's GoldMedal for Poetry 2021: The Fat Black Woman's Poems was first published in 1984.
A wonderfully lush, sensuous and bawdy novel set in the music halls of the late 19th century, Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters was first published in 1998.
A controversial and much needed look at our highly sexualised culture, Living Dolls by Natasha Walter was first published in 2009.
A moving story of love, friendship, grief, healing, and the magical bond between a woman and her dog: The Friend by Sigrid Nunez was first published in 2018.
We have 100 Five Gold Reads bundles available via the Virago Store. In this bundle you will get a copy of each book, plus an anniversary pin and tote bag (not for purchase anywhere else!).
Which book do you want to pick-up first?
Find out more: https://fal.cn/3ye4t
Carrie's War by Nina Bawden - Chapter 2
Listen as Carrie and her brother Nick say goodbye to their mother before getting on the train to the countryside.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Carrie's War by Nina Bawden, we've made this timeless classic available as an audiobook so more readers can enjoy it!
Read by the wonderful Katherine Parkinson, the audiobook is now available to download from your favourite online retailer. Immerse yourself in this beloved childhood favourite today: https://fal.cn/3xCWI
This November we are reissuing our complete collection of Maya Angelou’s seven volume set of autobiographical writing. To celebrate her birthday - 4 April 1928 - we are giving you a first look at four of the covers!
This set of books take us through her extraordinary life, from the American south of the 1930s to 1964 and the precipice of change where we find Maya working alongside her friends Malcolm X and Martin Luther King. The collection is a testament to the talents and resilience of this extraordinary writer. Loving the world, she also knows its cruelty: as a Black woman she has known discrimination and extreme poverty, but also hope, joy, achievement and celebration.
Find out more: https://fal.cn/3x7Ch
Carrie's War by Nina Bawden - Author's Note read by Katherine Parkinson
Did you know Nina Bawden included elements of her own experience during the war in Carrie's War?
Listen to the author's note, read by Katherine Parkinson in the new audiobook edition, coming on 13t April 2023 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Carrie's War
Pre-order the audiobook from your favourite online retailer: https://fal.cn/3wK6y
Yesterday the Bath Festival 2023 announced their amazing programme, including a Virago 50th Anniversary event, on Saturday 20th May, with Virago Chair Lennie Goodings, Virago Publisher Sarah Savitt and author of Woman, Eating, Claire Kodha.
The Bath Festival will run from 12 - 21 May with over 130 events across over 50 different distinctive Bath buildings and spaces.With a theme of Opening Up, there will be talks, concerts, workshops, performances and walks as the festival encourages opening up to new ideas, conversations and experiences. Plus a new flexible pricing model so you can find the price that suits you.Tickets go on general sale on 17 March and you can check out the full programme here: https://fal.cn/3wrjN
🎉 COVER REVEAL 🎉
It's 1897 and a remarkable trial is set to begin . . .
The spirit of Zona Heaster Shue is ready to tell her story. From beyond the grave, she has one last revelation to make.
Will you hear her sing?
We are so excited to introduce the most searing debut you'll read in 2023, THE RED BIRD SINGS by Aoife Fitzpatrick.
Coming April 2023
#HearHerSing
✨ Illustration: Charlotte Day @CharlottePaints
✨ Art direction: Charlotte Stroomer @studio_of_ideas
Virago 50th Anniversary
🍎 Virago (noun): biddy, bitch, dragon, fire-eater, fury, harpy, harridan, hussy, muckraker, scold, she-devil, siren, spitfire, termagant, tigress, vituperator, vixen, wench. Also, someone of great stature, strength, and courage.
This year we'll be honouring that courage by celebrating fifty years of feminist publishing, fifty years of Virago Books.
Founded in 1973, Virago believed then and now that books can change the world. We are proud to be a feminist publisher of outstanding books for all readers. In 2023, we will bring you both brand-new reads and refreshed classics to champion new voices and celebrate our heritage.
🍏 Stay tuned for our anniversary plans by following us here on social and subscribing to our newsletter via the website: https://fal.cn/3v8GZ
