Midsummer Night in the Workhouse cover art

Midsummer Night in the Workhouse

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Midsummer Night in the Workhouse

By: Diana Athill
Narrated by: Diana Athill
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About this listen

A woman trapped in an agonising love affair; a writer avoiding the group seducer at a writers’ retreat; a girl experiencing her first kiss. Set in 1950s England, as well as Italy and France, Midsummer Night in the Workhouse is a collection of short stories written and read by distinguished editor and author, Diana Athill.

Written in the late 1950s, these short stories mainly centre around female protagonists. Several stories are based on events from Athill’s own life. From holidays abroad to love affairs and sexual encounters, these brilliant, touching narratives provide subtle snapshots of human experiences and stage portrayals of memory, conflict and adventure.

Midsummer Night in the Workhouse is part of the Persephone Audiobook Collection, a series of forgotten classics including neglected fiction and non-fiction by women writers. First published in 1962, this edition includes a preface by the author.

Anthologies & Short Stories Classics Short Stories

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Critic reviews

In this terrific collection female characters are sexually adventurous, introspective and enjoy a drink or three
Written with brilliant precision and chilling honesty (Matthew Sweet)
All stars
Most relevant
I wish there was more honestly. 3 hours is a bit short. But very cute, love the performance from the author! Felt like I was traveling back to the 50s through stories my grandma would tell me.

Cute!

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