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Shortlisted for the Edward Stanford Travel Book of the Year, Alice Albinia's 'The Britannias: And the Islands of Women' is a captivating exploration of Britain's islands and their profound impact on the nation's cultural psyche. This masterful work, hailed as 'dazzlingly brilliant' by Hannah Dawson, takes readers on an exhilarating journey from the Neolithic Orkney to present-day Thanet.
Albinia, an intrepid and imaginative guide, sails across borders and through time, weaving together a tapestry of languages, genres, and histories. She challenges conventional narratives by shifting focus from the centre to the periphery, unearthing neglected epics and amplifying subversive voices. The book delves into the ancient mythology of female-ruled islands, a theme that permeates British literature from Roman colonial reports to early Irish poetry, Renaissance drama, and Restoration utopias.
'The Britannias' not only offers a fresh perspective on Britain's past but also seeks new insights into women's position in the body politic. By boldly overturning established truths, Albinia pays homage to the beauty and independence of these islands while bringing to light their suppressed or forgotten histories. This thought-provoking work invites readers to reconsider their understanding of Britain's island heritage and its enduring influence on the national consciousness.
Book ISBN: | 9781846149115 |
Book Author: | Alice Albinia |
Book Format: | Paperback / softback |
Book Imprint: | Penguin Books Ltd |
Book Publisher: | Penguin Books Ltd |
Book Dimensions: | 198 x 129 x 24 cm |
Book Publication Date: | 2024-04-07 |
Book Pagination: | 512 pages |
Book Weight: | 358g |
Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.
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