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The Book of Revelations

Women and Their Secrets From the 1950s to the Present Day

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The Book of Revelations

By: Juliet Nicolson
Narrated by: Juliet Nicolson
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Summary

A fascinating blend of social history and first-person stories looking at women and their secrets - and what they tell us about our changing times

Do you want to know a secret?

The average person is keeping thirteen secrets at any one time, five of which they’ve never shared with a soul. A secret can thrill one person and destroy another; and the deepest ones echo far down the generations.

The Book of Revelations is a book about the secrets women keep: the ones they are forced into, the ones they hold through shame, and the ones they share. Told through a kaleidoscopic blend of first-person stories and memoir, from the ‘silent generation’ of women in the 1950s to the influencers of the 2020s, we witness long-buried family secrets aired at last and the repercussions which occur when women who have been forced to keep quiet find their voice. Finally, we are compelled to wonder whether women are once again in danger of being silenced by censure, caution and fear.

‘Utterly engrossing and timely’ INDIA KNIGHT
‘A true act of bravery and sisterhood’ ELIZABETH DAY
‘Fascinating…truly valuable’ JULIA SAMUEL
‘I gobbled this book up. It’s a gem’ HELEN BONHAM CARTER

© Juliet Nicolson 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Gender Studies Social Sciences Women
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Critic reviews

Utterly engrossing and timely... told with immense empathy, intelligence and compassion... an important work of social history and as gripping as a beach read. I cannot recommend it highly enough (INDIA KNIGHT)
A book about the stories we don’t tell, written with such truth-telling compulsion and compassionate honesty... a true act of bravery and sisterhood (ELIZABETH DAY)
With incredible intimacy and deep compassion, Juliet Nicolson has woven together the stories that make our lives, but which so often remain hidden... This is a dazzling and surprising book, and I was changed by the experience of reading it (CLOVER STROUD)
I gobbled this book up. It's a gem, packed with nuggets I wanted to share. Nicolson is brilliant at contextualising personal stories in the bigger historical picture. All the women we meet are heroines, and their honesty is inspiring (HELENA BONHAM-CARTER)
A time-travelling investigation... Juliet Nicolson’s book has a depth charge and a sense of the now that is so timely and important (JEANETTE WINTERSON)
This is a truly exquisite tapestry of stories expertly woven with such care, kindness and compassion. I was devastated by it and uplifted by it in equal measure. An homage not just to women but to anyone who has ever felt the weight of keeping a secret that needs to be shared. Beautiful (DENISE GOUGH)
I loved this book. The combination of personal, social and historical is fascinating, and beautifully done. The range and quality of its psychological insights make it truly valuable (JULIA SAMUEL, author of Every Family Has a Story)
A fascinating hybrid of memoir and social history... transforms the highly personal into something universal (India Block)
An intriguing book with an unusual narrative
Bold, brave and brilliant (JUSTINE PICARDIE, author of Miss Dior)
All stars
Most relevant
The book is a fascinating mix of stories - hers and others, told in illuminating detail, bringing each one to life, and charting how things have evolved since the 50’s. Such recent triumphs - thanks to many courageous women.

Honesty

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I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. It is well written and the narrator speaks very very clearly and at the right pace.

Excellent Read

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