Lolly Willowes cover art

Lolly Willowes

Penguin Modern Classics

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Lolly Willowes

By: Sylvia Townsend Warner
Narrated by: Olivia Darnley
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Lolly Willowes, so gentle and accommodating, has depths no one suspects. When she suddenly announces that she is leaving London and moving, alone, to the depths of the countryside, her overbearing relatives are horrified. But Lolly has a greater, far darker calling than family: witchcraft.

'The book I'll be pressing into people's hands forever . . . It tells the story of a woman who rejects the life that society has fixed for her in favour of freedom ... tips suddenly into extraordinary, lucid wildness' Helen McDonald

'Witty, eerie, tender ... her prose, in its simple, abrupt evocations, has something preternatural about it' John Updike

'A great shout of life and individuality ... an act of defiance that gladdens the soul' Guardian

© Sylvia Townsend Warner 1926 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

 Classics Gender Studies Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Social Sciences Fiction

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Critic reviews

A great shout of life and individuality. (Justine Jordan)
The book I'll be pressing into people's hands forever is Lolly Willowes [. . .] Starting as a straightforward, albeit beautifully written family saga, it tips suddenly into extraordinary, lucid wildness. (Helen McDonald)
Sylvia Townsend Warner moves with sombre confidence into the realm of the supernatural, and her prose, in its simple, abrupt evocations, has something preternatural about it (John Updike)
All stars
Most relevant
I first read this in 1978 and still have my old women’s press copy. Ostensibly this is about witches, but there is much more about the role of older women in society. I was inspired to re-read this after reading Weyward by Emilia Hart. The countryside is both beautiful and macabre and plays an important role. The narration is first rate

Sympathy for the Devil

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The narrative is as quirky as the central character. Comparisons and observations are delightful and Lolly's psyche is delicious. And at the bottom of the novel is a truly relatable account of the status and plight of the "maiden aunt". Worth more than a single listen!

Subtle, ever, relevant!

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Loved the narration, slightly soporific but enchanting, like the tale. Not sure we got to know Laura till nearer the end but perhaps that is intentional, the invisible spinster sister,

Interesting early feminist piece

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What a wonderful surprise this turned out to be! Delightful from beginning to end. Mind: this is the kind of beautiful that needs savouring. It is the literary equivalent to slow food. If you're looking for high drama, this is not your kind of book. But for those who enjoy lyrical prose, subtle irony and fine characterisation, this is an absolute treat! Such an original, unexpected and trenchant social critique contained in the twist at the end, too! The narrator also does the book more than justice, a fabulous performance!

Absolutely beautiful!

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Reviews seemed promising but gave up halfway through Pt 2 as story didn’t seem to go anywhere . Maybe I should have stuck with it but life’s too short No idea why Audible recommended this one for me

Beautifully narrated but failed to engage

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