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Furies: Stories of the Wicked, Wild and Untamed
A fun and fearless anthology of feminist tales, by fifteen bestselling, award-winning writers:
Margaret Atwood, Susie Boyt, Eleanor Crewes, Emma Donoghue, Stella Duffy, Linda Grant, Claire Kohda, CN Lester, Kirsty Logan, Caroline O'Donoghue, Chibundu Onuzo, Helen Oyeymi, Rachel Seiffert, Kamila Shamsie and Ali Smith - introduced by Sandi Toksvig.
DRAGON. TYGRESS. SHE-DEVIL. HUSSY. SIREN. WENCH. HARRIDAN. MUCKRAKER. SPITFIRE. VITUPERATOR. CHURAIL. TERMAGANT. FURY. WARRIOR. VIRAGO.
For centuries past, and all across the world, there are words that have defined and decried us. Words that raise our hackles, fire up our blood; words that tell a story.
In this blazing cauldron of a book, fifteen bestselling, award-winning writers have taken up their pens and reclaimed these words, creating an entertaining and irresistible collection of feminist tales for our time.
Margaret Atwood, Susie Boyt, Eleanor Crewes, Emma Donoghue, Stella Duffy, Linda Grant, Claire Kohda, CN Lester, Kirsty Logan, Caroline O'Donoghue, Chibundu Onuzo, Helen Oyeymi, Rachel Seiffert, Kamila Shamsie and Ali Smith - introduced by Sandi Toksvig.
DRAGON. TYGRESS. SHE-DEVIL. HUSSY. SIREN. WENCH. HARRIDAN. MUCKRAKER. SPITFIRE. VITUPERATOR. CHURAIL. TERMAGANT. FURY. WARRIOR. VIRAGO.
For centuries past, and all across the world, there are words that have defined and decried us. Words that raise our hackles, fire up our blood; words that tell a story.
In this blazing cauldron of a book, fifteen bestselling, award-winning writers have taken up their pens and reclaimed these words, creating an entertaining and irresistible collection of feminist tales for our time.
291 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2023
358 people are currently reading
7511 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Atwood
674 books90.3k followersMargaret Atwood was born in 1939 in Ottawa and grew up in northern Ontario, Quebec, and Toronto. She received her undergraduate degree from Victoria College at the University of Toronto and her master's degree from Radcliffe College.
Throughout her writing career, Margaret Atwood has received numerous awards and honourary degrees. She is the author of more than thirty-five volumes of poetry, children’s literature, fiction, and non-fiction and is perhaps best known for her novels, which include The Edible Woman (1970), The Handmaid's Tale (1983), The Robber Bride (1994), Alias Grace (1996), and The Blind Assassin, which won the prestigious Booker Prize in 2000. Atwood's dystopic novel, Oryx and Crake, was published in 2003. The Tent (mini-fictions) and Moral Disorder (short stories) both appeared in 2006. Her most recent volume of poetry, The Door, was published in 2007. Her non-fiction book, Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth in the Massey series, appeared in 2008, and her most recent novel, The Year of the Flood, in the autumn of 2009. Ms. Atwood's work has been published in more than forty languages, including Farsi, Japanese, Turkish, Finnish, Korean, Icelandic and Estonian. In 2004 she co-invented the Long Pen TM.
Margaret Atwood currently lives in Toronto with writer Graeme Gibson.
Associations: Margaret Atwood was President of the Writers' Union of Canada from May 1981 to May 1982, and was President of International P.E.N., Canadian Centre (English Speaking) from 1984-1986. She and Graeme Gibson are the Joint Honourary Presidents of the Rare Bird Society within BirdLife International. Ms. Atwood is also a current Vice-President of PEN International.
Throughout her writing career, Margaret Atwood has received numerous awards and honourary degrees. She is the author of more than thirty-five volumes of poetry, children’s literature, fiction, and non-fiction and is perhaps best known for her novels, which include The Edible Woman (1970), The Handmaid's Tale (1983), The Robber Bride (1994), Alias Grace (1996), and The Blind Assassin, which won the prestigious Booker Prize in 2000. Atwood's dystopic novel, Oryx and Crake, was published in 2003. The Tent (mini-fictions) and Moral Disorder (short stories) both appeared in 2006. Her most recent volume of poetry, The Door, was published in 2007. Her non-fiction book, Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth in the Massey series, appeared in 2008, and her most recent novel, The Year of the Flood, in the autumn of 2009. Ms. Atwood's work has been published in more than forty languages, including Farsi, Japanese, Turkish, Finnish, Korean, Icelandic and Estonian. In 2004 she co-invented the Long Pen TM.
Margaret Atwood currently lives in Toronto with writer Graeme Gibson.
Associations: Margaret Atwood was President of the Writers' Union of Canada from May 1981 to May 1982, and was President of International P.E.N., Canadian Centre (English Speaking) from 1984-1986. She and Graeme Gibson are the Joint Honourary Presidents of the Rare Bird Society within BirdLife International. Ms. Atwood is also a current Vice-President of PEN International.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 328 reviews
March 13, 2023
4.4⭐
Furies: The Virago Book of Wild Women is a stunning anthology of fifteen short stories written by women writers that vary in theme, setting and genre ranging from magical realism to historical fiction several of which are based on true events, sci-fi and much more. Every single story in this book is praiseworthy and it is difficult for me to choose a favorite. My ratings for each of these stories are as follows:
“Siren” by Margaret Atwood(5/5) is both imaginative and laugh-out-loud funny while sending a strong message. “Virago” by CN Lester(5/5), loosely inspired by real events is hard-hitting and sheds a light on the topic of gender identity and societal perceptions of the same in the early twentieth last century with a predominant look at the role medical science played in the definition and understanding of the same. “Churail” by Kamila Shamsie (4/5) will give you the chills, but entertainingly combining folklore and magical realism. "Termagant” by Emma Donahue (4/5) is also set in the first half of the twentieth century and based on real characters. “Wench” by Kirsty Logan (4/5)is a beautifully written story that broke my heart but shows resilience among women trapped in unfortunate circumstances. “Hussy” by Caroline O’Donoghue (4/5) revolves around an adult film star, past her glory days but determined to make the best of her circumstances. “Vituperator” by Helen Oyeyami (5/5) features a protagonist whose tendency to voice brutally honest views about people lands her a dream job. In “Harridan” by Linda Grant (3/5; ⚠ animal cruelty) revolves around an aging woman who relies on her own resourcefulness to get her own way. “Warrior” by Chibundu Onuzo (5/5) features a Biblical figure whose leadership and wisdom lead her people to victory in battle. “She-Devil” by Eleanor Crewes (4/5), is the only short story written in graphic novel format in this selection of stories, atmospheric and spooky. (Scared me silly, but to be honest, I am easily scared!) ”Muckraker” by Susie Boyt (4/5) explores the concept of grief and loss from a unique perspective. “Spitfire” by Ali Smith (4/5) is nostalgic in tone and delves into a daughter’s memories of her mother who once served in WAAF during WWII. “Fury” Rachel Seiffert (5/5) is a fictionalized account of a true event from WWII Poland. “Tygress” Claire Kohda (5/5) is impressive in its symbolism and its unique representation of motherhood. Finally, “Dragon” by Stella Duffy (5/5) explores the theme of aging and change in the context of menopause. A thought-provoking read!
Exquisite writing with strong feminist overtones, compelling characters and the astonishing range of themes and genres represented in this anthology render this a remarkable book. The introduction written by Sandi Toksvig is absolutely brilliant where she talks about the thought that went into creating the Virago imprint in publishing and much more. Even the titles of the stories in this anthology are symbolic in that they are words that are ordinarily used to describe women in not-so-pleasant terms. However, in these stories, the authors have taken ownership and empowered strong, bold and vibrant women with these words. This book represents a celebration of womanhood through the ages. A perfect read for Women’s History Month!
Furies: The Virago Book of Wild Women is a stunning anthology of fifteen short stories written by women writers that vary in theme, setting and genre ranging from magical realism to historical fiction several of which are based on true events, sci-fi and much more. Every single story in this book is praiseworthy and it is difficult for me to choose a favorite. My ratings for each of these stories are as follows:
“Siren” by Margaret Atwood(5/5) is both imaginative and laugh-out-loud funny while sending a strong message. “Virago” by CN Lester(5/5), loosely inspired by real events is hard-hitting and sheds a light on the topic of gender identity and societal perceptions of the same in the early twentieth last century with a predominant look at the role medical science played in the definition and understanding of the same. “Churail” by Kamila Shamsie (4/5) will give you the chills, but entertainingly combining folklore and magical realism. "Termagant” by Emma Donahue (4/5) is also set in the first half of the twentieth century and based on real characters. “Wench” by Kirsty Logan (4/5)is a beautifully written story that broke my heart but shows resilience among women trapped in unfortunate circumstances. “Hussy” by Caroline O’Donoghue (4/5) revolves around an adult film star, past her glory days but determined to make the best of her circumstances. “Vituperator” by Helen Oyeyami (5/5) features a protagonist whose tendency to voice brutally honest views about people lands her a dream job. In “Harridan” by Linda Grant (3/5; ⚠ animal cruelty) revolves around an aging woman who relies on her own resourcefulness to get her own way. “Warrior” by Chibundu Onuzo (5/5) features a Biblical figure whose leadership and wisdom lead her people to victory in battle. “She-Devil” by Eleanor Crewes (4/5), is the only short story written in graphic novel format in this selection of stories, atmospheric and spooky. (Scared me silly, but to be honest, I am easily scared!) ”Muckraker” by Susie Boyt (4/5) explores the concept of grief and loss from a unique perspective. “Spitfire” by Ali Smith (4/5) is nostalgic in tone and delves into a daughter’s memories of her mother who once served in WAAF during WWII. “Fury” Rachel Seiffert (5/5) is a fictionalized account of a true event from WWII Poland. “Tygress” Claire Kohda (5/5) is impressive in its symbolism and its unique representation of motherhood. Finally, “Dragon” by Stella Duffy (5/5) explores the theme of aging and change in the context of menopause. A thought-provoking read!
Exquisite writing with strong feminist overtones, compelling characters and the astonishing range of themes and genres represented in this anthology render this a remarkable book. The introduction written by Sandi Toksvig is absolutely brilliant where she talks about the thought that went into creating the Virago imprint in publishing and much more. Even the titles of the stories in this anthology are symbolic in that they are words that are ordinarily used to describe women in not-so-pleasant terms. However, in these stories, the authors have taken ownership and empowered strong, bold and vibrant women with these words. This book represents a celebration of womanhood through the ages. A perfect read for Women’s History Month!
July 28, 2024
“Strictly speaking it (Virago) refers to a heroic, warlike woman, but there are many other less flattering synonyms - biddy, bitch, dragon, fishwife, fury, harpy, harridan, hussy, muckraker, scold, she-devil, siren, spitfire, termagant, tygress, vituperator, vixen, wench....
I long to be a combination of all of them because every one of those epithets sounds like a woman who would stand up for herself.”
💃🏽🐉💋
Ladies, sharpen your claws and bare your fangs, it's time to celebrate womanhood in all its majestic and terrifying glory!
Furies, a compendium of wild pieces by wild women, is the ideal way to honor the influence and legacy of Virago Publishing. A captivating, poignant, and illuminating compilation brimming with exceptional tales in a variety of genres and styles. Feminine rage and power collide in a riot of voices and narratives that erupt from this anthology that lauds womanhood in all its pains and pleasures. Each astonishing tale is as eccentric as it is inspirational, with each distinct voice shining with wicked humor, heartfelt reflection, and pure humanity.
In a world where language is often weaponized and calling someone names is a cruel tactic used to exert control, degrade, and alienate, the titles of these stories exploit that power and subvert their original meanings to empower and encourage the colorful women featured in this collection.
Additionally, the stories in this anthology serve as an assemblage of themes and issues concerning women and their experiences navigating a world that, despite its progress, decries and tries to limit them.
Each story christened with an insult aimed at women explores female strength, emotions, outrage, schemes, flaws, humanity, and divine nature, forming a mosaic of the multitude of characteristics, challenges, and triumphs we share across centuries, cultures, and regions, but recognizing that for all our commonalities, each of us has a wondrously unique story that is all our own. Whether you're a dragon, warrior, hussy, or siren, there is something to cackle about in Furies.
I long to be a combination of all of them because every one of those epithets sounds like a woman who would stand up for herself.”
💃🏽🐉💋
Ladies, sharpen your claws and bare your fangs, it's time to celebrate womanhood in all its majestic and terrifying glory!
Furies, a compendium of wild pieces by wild women, is the ideal way to honor the influence and legacy of Virago Publishing. A captivating, poignant, and illuminating compilation brimming with exceptional tales in a variety of genres and styles. Feminine rage and power collide in a riot of voices and narratives that erupt from this anthology that lauds womanhood in all its pains and pleasures. Each astonishing tale is as eccentric as it is inspirational, with each distinct voice shining with wicked humor, heartfelt reflection, and pure humanity.
In a world where language is often weaponized and calling someone names is a cruel tactic used to exert control, degrade, and alienate, the titles of these stories exploit that power and subvert their original meanings to empower and encourage the colorful women featured in this collection.
Additionally, the stories in this anthology serve as an assemblage of themes and issues concerning women and their experiences navigating a world that, despite its progress, decries and tries to limit them.
Each story christened with an insult aimed at women explores female strength, emotions, outrage, schemes, flaws, humanity, and divine nature, forming a mosaic of the multitude of characteristics, challenges, and triumphs we share across centuries, cultures, and regions, but recognizing that for all our commonalities, each of us has a wondrously unique story that is all our own. Whether you're a dragon, warrior, hussy, or siren, there is something to cackle about in Furies.
January 17, 2024
It’s terribly sad when a book you’re excited about does so little to impress you. I found many of these stories to be a bit dull, and some felt underdeveloped, leaving me wanting for more. There were also some that felt forced, as if desperate to deliver a message. The overall vibe was that this was a writing assignment, not something born from creativity and a passion for the topic.
Although Margaret Atwood as a contributor was certainly an alluring factor (and I did enjoy her story more than most), the name that led me to this collection was Claire Kohda, the author of one of my top favorite reads last year. I was invested in the book’s entirety as I waited (im)patiently for Kohda’s offering, which didn’t surface until near the end.. Despite my disappointment in this anthology’s majority, Kohda’s beautiful, meaningful story did help soften the blow. I still quietly celebrated when the final tale came to a close, though.
Many others found this anthology more impactful and fascinating than I did. They clearly saw something that I didn’t, so let their reviews persuade you to give it a try.
Average story rating: 3 stars
Siren by Margaret Atwood ~ 4 stars
Virago by CN Lester ~ 3 stars
Churail by Kamila Shamsie ~ 3.5 stars
Termagant by Emma Donoghue ~ 3.5 stars
Wench by Kirsty Logan ~ 3.5 stars
Hussy by Caroline O’Donoghue ~ 2 stars
Vituperator by Helen Oyeyemi ~ 3.5 stars
Harridan by Linda Grant ~ 2 stars
Warrior by Chibundu Onuzo ~ 3 stars
She-Devil by Eleanor Crewes ~ 2 stars
Muckraker by Susie Boyt ~ 2 stars
Spitfire by Ali Smith ~ 3 stars
Fury by Rachel Seifert ~ 4 stars
Tygress by Claire Kohda ~ 4 stars
Dragon by Stella Duffy ~ 2 stars ~ Powerful points, boring execution.
Although Margaret Atwood as a contributor was certainly an alluring factor (and I did enjoy her story more than most), the name that led me to this collection was Claire Kohda, the author of one of my top favorite reads last year. I was invested in the book’s entirety as I waited (im)patiently for Kohda’s offering, which didn’t surface until near the end.. Despite my disappointment in this anthology’s majority, Kohda’s beautiful, meaningful story did help soften the blow. I still quietly celebrated when the final tale came to a close, though.
Many others found this anthology more impactful and fascinating than I did. They clearly saw something that I didn’t, so let their reviews persuade you to give it a try.
Average story rating: 3 stars
Siren by Margaret Atwood ~ 4 stars
Virago by CN Lester ~ 3 stars
Churail by Kamila Shamsie ~ 3.5 stars
Termagant by Emma Donoghue ~ 3.5 stars
Wench by Kirsty Logan ~ 3.5 stars
Hussy by Caroline O’Donoghue ~ 2 stars
Vituperator by Helen Oyeyemi ~ 3.5 stars
Harridan by Linda Grant ~ 2 stars
Warrior by Chibundu Onuzo ~ 3 stars
She-Devil by Eleanor Crewes ~ 2 stars
Muckraker by Susie Boyt ~ 2 stars
Spitfire by Ali Smith ~ 3 stars
Fury by Rachel Seifert ~ 4 stars
Tygress by Claire Kohda ~ 4 stars
Dragon by Stella Duffy ~ 2 stars ~ Powerful points, boring execution.
February 26, 2024
- thank you to virago for sending an early copy to the shop -
It is hard to choose a favourite. This book has women of colour, queer women, old women, trans people, women based in history and mythology and complete and utter fantasy. There is a graphic novel inside the pages of this book. There is prose and hope and despair and everything I could have dreamed of. I adored every moment.
It is hard to choose a favourite. This book has women of colour, queer women, old women, trans people, women based in history and mythology and complete and utter fantasy. There is a graphic novel inside the pages of this book. There is prose and hope and despair and everything I could have dreamed of. I adored every moment.
July 22, 2024
(3.5) Each story is named after a synonym for “virago,” so the focus is on strong and unconventional women, but given that brief there is huge variety, including memoir (Ali Smith’s “Spitfire,” about her late mother’s WAAF service), historical research (CN Lester on sexology and early trans figures, Emma Donoghue on early-twentieth-century activist and lesbian Kathlyn Oliver, Stella Duffy on menopause) and even one graphic short, the mother–daughter horror story “She-Devil” by comics artist Eleanor Crewes.
As with any anthology, some pieces stand out more than others. Caroline O’Donoghue, Helen Oyeyemi and Kamila Shamsie’s contributions were unlikely to convert me into a fan. Margaret Atwood is ever sly and accessible, with “Siren” opening with the line “Today’s Liminal Beings Knitting Circle will now be called to order.” I was surprised to get on really well with Kirsty Logan’s “Wench,” about girls ostracized by their religious community because of their desire for each other – I’ll have to read Now She Is Witch, as it’s set in the same fictional world – and Chibundu Onuzo’s “Warrior,” about Deborah, an Israelite leader in the book of Judges. And while I doubt I need to read a whole novel by Rachel Seiffert, I did enjoy “Fury,” about a group of Polish women who fended off Nazi invaders.
A few of my favourites were “Harridan” by Linda Grant, about an older woman who frightens the young couple who share her flat’s garden during lockdown (“this old lady, this hag she sees, this bitter travesty of her celestial youth and beauty is not her. Inside she’s a flame, she’s a pistol”); “Muckraker” by Susie Boyt, in which a woman makes conquests of breast cancer widowers; and “Tygress” by Claire Kohda, where the stereotype of the Asian ‘tiger mother’ turns literal. Duffy’s “Dragon” closes the collection with a very interesting blend of autofiction, interviews and medical reportage about different experiences of objectification in youth and invisibility in ageing. It brings the whole together nicely: “Tell me your tale and, in the telling, feel it all drop away. You are, and you are not, your story. Keep what serves you now, make space for new maybes.”
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
As with any anthology, some pieces stand out more than others. Caroline O’Donoghue, Helen Oyeyemi and Kamila Shamsie’s contributions were unlikely to convert me into a fan. Margaret Atwood is ever sly and accessible, with “Siren” opening with the line “Today’s Liminal Beings Knitting Circle will now be called to order.” I was surprised to get on really well with Kirsty Logan’s “Wench,” about girls ostracized by their religious community because of their desire for each other – I’ll have to read Now She Is Witch, as it’s set in the same fictional world – and Chibundu Onuzo’s “Warrior,” about Deborah, an Israelite leader in the book of Judges. And while I doubt I need to read a whole novel by Rachel Seiffert, I did enjoy “Fury,” about a group of Polish women who fended off Nazi invaders.
A few of my favourites were “Harridan” by Linda Grant, about an older woman who frightens the young couple who share her flat’s garden during lockdown (“this old lady, this hag she sees, this bitter travesty of her celestial youth and beauty is not her. Inside she’s a flame, she’s a pistol”); “Muckraker” by Susie Boyt, in which a woman makes conquests of breast cancer widowers; and “Tygress” by Claire Kohda, where the stereotype of the Asian ‘tiger mother’ turns literal. Duffy’s “Dragon” closes the collection with a very interesting blend of autofiction, interviews and medical reportage about different experiences of objectification in youth and invisibility in ageing. It brings the whole together nicely: “Tell me your tale and, in the telling, feel it all drop away. You are, and you are not, your story. Keep what serves you now, make space for new maybes.”
Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.
September 1, 2024
Difficult to rate!
A mixed collection of stories... Some great highs and some disappointing lows.
I enjoyed the variety in this book, in terms of format - including a graphic short story, but also in the stories themselves. Moving from mythical tales to realistic tales.
Particular highlights for me were: warrior, banshee, Churail and termagant.
In fact the introduction itself was a highlight!
Few of the other stories really missed the mark for me. With a few feeling like they were given a word and then forced a story, they didn't feel genuine. My biggest disappointment came from Atwood's story. As an Atwood fan I was initially drawn to the book knowing she had contributed, expectations were high - but I was left disappointed. I didn't feel her usual themes or brilliant witty commentary.
A mixed collection of stories... Some great highs and some disappointing lows.
I enjoyed the variety in this book, in terms of format - including a graphic short story, but also in the stories themselves. Moving from mythical tales to realistic tales.
Particular highlights for me were: warrior, banshee, Churail and termagant.
In fact the introduction itself was a highlight!
Few of the other stories really missed the mark for me. With a few feeling like they were given a word and then forced a story, they didn't feel genuine. My biggest disappointment came from Atwood's story. As an Atwood fan I was initially drawn to the book knowing she had contributed, expectations were high - but I was left disappointed. I didn't feel her usual themes or brilliant witty commentary.
October 13, 2025
A beautiful collage of different stories ranging from stories written like a comedy to a poem.
September 8, 2023
4.5⭐️ favourites: wench, dragon
July 19, 2024
Technically my ratings would be an overall 3.5, but imma round it up for the sake of it. Some favs include: dragon, warrior, vituperator, wench, churail and termagant
October 19, 2023
Great book! Only a couple stand out stories for me though: Wench and Warrior. These both were incredible. Some were largely forgettable, but the most part I really enjoyed and am glad I spent time reading this
April 23, 2025
the first one (atwood) and the one with the ~literal~ tiger mom (kohda) 👍👍
May 21, 2024
I loved the majority of these stories. I normally dislike short story collections but this was excellent!
July 14, 2024
Difficult to rate an anthology, so I just calculated the average of the rating I gave each short story :) There were some I really liked and others not so much, so the average was 3.2 ⭐️
March 28, 2025
(4.5)
Fucking hell, I love being a woman.
It was so comforting to read these stories of women - fictional, historical or even conceptual - who were all so badass in their own way.
I guess I never realised how aware I am how women are written in every book I read, until I read this and felt how relaxed I was. It felt like a hug. It felt like mutual understanding.
I especially loved the stories about the town elder who led her men into battle, the (real!) women that scared away the Nazis from their town and the fantastic final story of the personification of menopause, unleashing self-love and well-warranted fury in everyone she touches.
I only realised after finishing it that every chapter is named after insults for unpleasant women/people ("banshee", "harridan", "hussy", etc). A great touch.
Loved it!
Fucking hell, I love being a woman.
It was so comforting to read these stories of women - fictional, historical or even conceptual - who were all so badass in their own way.
I guess I never realised how aware I am how women are written in every book I read, until I read this and felt how relaxed I was. It felt like a hug. It felt like mutual understanding.
I especially loved the stories about the town elder who led her men into battle, the (real!) women that scared away the Nazis from their town and the fantastic final story of the personification of menopause, unleashing self-love and well-warranted fury in everyone she touches.
I only realised after finishing it that every chapter is named after insults for unpleasant women/people ("banshee", "harridan", "hussy", etc). A great touch.
Loved it!
April 1, 2023
You know this piece is good when u started highlighting at Introduction. YES. Solid intro by Sandi Toksvig.
Collection of 15 short stories, ranging from sassy story college-like Siren on roles on seducing man, to a sex worker whose also a mum, a woman in Victorian era gotta gave up her independence just to get married, and a man who ran because his dead wife decided to haunt him because he forced her to get pregnant and she died. The range varies from making you shaken of visceral anger to having to pause to think all of your life choices.
Notice the cover mentioned the story of the wicked, vile and untamed? It ate and delivers.
Collection of 15 short stories, ranging from sassy story college-like Siren on roles on seducing man, to a sex worker whose also a mum, a woman in Victorian era gotta gave up her independence just to get married, and a man who ran because his dead wife decided to haunt him because he forced her to get pregnant and she died. The range varies from making you shaken of visceral anger to having to pause to think all of your life choices.
Notice the cover mentioned the story of the wicked, vile and untamed? It ate and delivers.
July 19, 2023
Kā jau stāstu krājumā ar dažādām autorēm - daži stāsti man patika ļoti, daži - nu tā un daži - īsti nepatika. Tā kā autoru un stāstu daudz un negribu kaukultēt, kopējais iespaids, ka vispār jā, patika, bet sajūsmā neesmu. Tas ir laikam 4.
Stāsti, kas man ļoti patika, un tāpēc nevaru likt 3:
1) “Siren” by Margaret Atwood - ļoti amizants stāsts par sirēnas vadītu citādo būtņu adīšanas pulciņu (bet varbūt par to, kas vispār ir būtne (vai sieviete?) un kāpēc vajag kaut ko kopīgu);
2) “Churail” by Kamila Shamsie - pakistāniešu folklorā balstīts maģiskā reālisma stāsts, kurā tēvs mēgina aizbēgt uz Londonu no būtnes, par ko varētu pārvērtusies mirusī sieva (bet vai saknes ir iespējams nogriezt?);
3) “Hussy” by Caroline O’Donoghue - porno zvaigzne mēģina pārprofilēties uz citu auditoriju (bet varbūt par tiesībām lemt pašai);
4) “Harridan” by Linda Grant - jauns pāris Covid-19 pandēmijā mēģina sadzīvot ar īgnu veču kaimiņos (bet varbūt par novecošanu);
5) “Spitfire” by Ali Smith - meita mēģina uzzināt vairāk par mātes jaunību 2. pasaules kara laikā (bet varbūt par to, kā paaudzes nespēj tikt galā ar piedzīvotajām traumām).
Stāsti, kas man ļoti patika, un tāpēc nevaru likt 3:
1) “Siren” by Margaret Atwood - ļoti amizants stāsts par sirēnas vadītu citādo būtņu adīšanas pulciņu (bet varbūt par to, kas vispār ir būtne (vai sieviete?) un kāpēc vajag kaut ko kopīgu);
2) “Churail” by Kamila Shamsie - pakistāniešu folklorā balstīts maģiskā reālisma stāsts, kurā tēvs mēgina aizbēgt uz Londonu no būtnes, par ko varētu pārvērtusies mirusī sieva (bet vai saknes ir iespējams nogriezt?);
3) “Hussy” by Caroline O’Donoghue - porno zvaigzne mēģina pārprofilēties uz citu auditoriju (bet varbūt par tiesībām lemt pašai);
4) “Harridan” by Linda Grant - jauns pāris Covid-19 pandēmijā mēģina sadzīvot ar īgnu veču kaimiņos (bet varbūt par novecošanu);
5) “Spitfire” by Ali Smith - meita mēģina uzzināt vairāk par mātes jaunību 2. pasaules kara laikā (bet varbūt par to, kā paaudzes nespēj tikt galā ar piedzīvotajām traumām).
July 11, 2025
i don't even have words to describe how brilliant this collection was. you simply need to read it for yourself.
was moved to tears at several points throughout the book. the fear, the anger, the resiliance, the joy... it all resonated with me on a deeper personal level. it is unsettling (in the best way possible) to read a story and have it perfectly encapture a feeling you have felt yourself incapable of describing.
plenty of stories in here that i want to reread at some point, with my favourite being wench by kirsty logan. but other honourable mentions are siren by margaret atwood, virago by cn lester, churail by kamila shamsie, termagent by emma donoghue, banshee by annie hodson, muckraker by susie boyt and tygress by claire kohda.
was moved to tears at several points throughout the book. the fear, the anger, the resiliance, the joy... it all resonated with me on a deeper personal level. it is unsettling (in the best way possible) to read a story and have it perfectly encapture a feeling you have felt yourself incapable of describing.
plenty of stories in here that i want to reread at some point, with my favourite being wench by kirsty logan. but other honourable mentions are siren by margaret atwood, virago by cn lester, churail by kamila shamsie, termagent by emma donoghue, banshee by annie hodson, muckraker by susie boyt and tygress by claire kohda.
September 13, 2024
Excellent collection of feminist short stories. The introductory notes eventually convinced me to abandon my inherent dislike for short fiction. Yes, we should make it a habit to gather around the campfire and tell each other stories.
May 14, 2025
Some gorgeous short stories here. My favourites include those by Caroline O’Donoghue, Claire Kohda, Emma Donoghue and Linda Grant.
February 20, 2025
Great collection.
October 6, 2023
“Her burgeoning womanhood, the glorious body, a physical shape that enthralled and terrified her, attracting and enticing men and women and those in the many betweens: she revelled in her body, revealed it to herself and sometimes to them.”
April 6, 2025
Furies in eerste instantie opgepakt door de bijdrage van Margeret Atwood en Sandi Toksvig. Uiteindelijk meerdere mooie verhalen gelezen, waarvan Siren, Virago en Tygress me toch wel het meeste zijn bijgebleven
January 19, 2026
“& the world is women in the dark & men in the light-“
I think the main issue with this is I’m just not smart enough to get them? Maybe?😅 I feel some of these stories went straight over my head and I just didn’t understand them.
Some of them were fantastic, engaging, thought-provoking, but others just left me lost.
Possibly, I’m just not a short story person and need a bit more history and back story to what I’m reading 🤷♀️
I think the main issue with this is I’m just not smart enough to get them? Maybe?😅 I feel some of these stories went straight over my head and I just didn’t understand them.
Some of them were fantastic, engaging, thought-provoking, but others just left me lost.
Possibly, I’m just not a short story person and need a bit more history and back story to what I’m reading 🤷♀️
August 10, 2023
4.5 stars ✨
Always hard to rate an anthology but this one is a really strong collection overall. Published to celebrate 50 years of the feminist imprint, Virago, I enjoyed every contribution, including Sandi Toksvig’s introduction.
I listened to the audiobook alongside reading the hardback and there were multiple narrators used throughout, which I very much appreciated. Worth noting that the hardback contains an illustrated/graphic short story by Eleanor Crewes which for obvious reasons is not included on audio…
My personal top five stories:
Dragon by Stella Duffy
Tygress by Claire Kohda
Harridan by Linda Grant
Wench by Kirsty Logan
Virago by C N Lester
Always hard to rate an anthology but this one is a really strong collection overall. Published to celebrate 50 years of the feminist imprint, Virago, I enjoyed every contribution, including Sandi Toksvig’s introduction.
I listened to the audiobook alongside reading the hardback and there were multiple narrators used throughout, which I very much appreciated. Worth noting that the hardback contains an illustrated/graphic short story by Eleanor Crewes which for obvious reasons is not included on audio…
My personal top five stories:
Dragon by Stella Duffy
Tygress by Claire Kohda
Harridan by Linda Grant
Wench by Kirsty Logan
Virago by C N Lester
April 20, 2023
A compelling, entertaining and thought-provoking collection that showcases brilliant writing through a broad range of different styles and approaches.
The sense of women's complexity spills over in these pages, as the stories explore women's power, emotion, rage, calculation, flaws, humanity, and divinity, coming together to form a picture of the many traits, struggles and experiences we share across eras, cultures and continents, and yet the reader comes away remembering that for all that we have in common, everyone's story is wonderfully unique.
I enjoyed the sense of inclusivity and representation, the richness that came with so many different perspectives exploring identity, gender, sexuality, patriarchy, femininity, motherhood, ageing, and more. Some authors rooted their tales in folklore, history, magical realism (Churail, Fury, Spitfire, Tyger), while others weaved more recognisable narratives set in the present day (Harridan, Hussy, Vituperator), and several used imaginative vignettes of human interaction to present their reflections on connection, resilience, and women's experience of society throughout the ages (Wench, Dragon).
A couple of the stories weren't my thing (Siren felt a touch heavy-handed, as though Atwood needed you to know how much she was rolling her eyes), but I either learned from them or learned about my likes and dislikes in the process.
My personal highlight was 'Virago' by C.N. Lester, which I found gripping, poignant and powerful. I loved the creativity and variety of the whole collection and as a result look forward to seeking out more of the work by some of the authors who contributed.
The sense of women's complexity spills over in these pages, as the stories explore women's power, emotion, rage, calculation, flaws, humanity, and divinity, coming together to form a picture of the many traits, struggles and experiences we share across eras, cultures and continents, and yet the reader comes away remembering that for all that we have in common, everyone's story is wonderfully unique.
I enjoyed the sense of inclusivity and representation, the richness that came with so many different perspectives exploring identity, gender, sexuality, patriarchy, femininity, motherhood, ageing, and more. Some authors rooted their tales in folklore, history, magical realism (Churail, Fury, Spitfire, Tyger), while others weaved more recognisable narratives set in the present day (Harridan, Hussy, Vituperator), and several used imaginative vignettes of human interaction to present their reflections on connection, resilience, and women's experience of society throughout the ages (Wench, Dragon).
A couple of the stories weren't my thing (Siren felt a touch heavy-handed, as though Atwood needed you to know how much she was rolling her eyes), but I either learned from them or learned about my likes and dislikes in the process.
My personal highlight was 'Virago' by C.N. Lester, which I found gripping, poignant and powerful. I loved the creativity and variety of the whole collection and as a result look forward to seeking out more of the work by some of the authors who contributed.
March 25, 2023
Furies is an incredible anthology with a bite! Margaret Atwood? I was sold. Compiled by some of the best award winning writers and feminists from around the world, Furies is a searing collection of wickedly wonderful short stories. Mythological and beautiful is it’s essence. What a lovely blend of women of colour, Queer women and women of old and young. You'll feel like a powerhouse by the end and each story will move you in ways you could never imagine. I was a jumbly mess of emotions by the turn of the last page. Brilliant, hopeful, empowering, dazzling, verocious and evocative. It will put a fire in your belly for sure. So easy to devour. I cannot recommend this book enough! So lucky I got to read the proof copy ( thank you to the publishers for sending me this via work) 🐉
October 6, 2023
A celebration of womanhood through short stories centered on women with a mix of historic, tale, and of course magic, voices. Every short story is titled as a common insult directed at women, transforming insult into glory.
I am a fan of short stories and loved this read. Favorite shorts for me were Virago, Churail, Hussy, Harridan, Warrior and Spitfire.
Congrats to Virago for this publication.
I am a fan of short stories and loved this read. Favorite shorts for me were Virago, Churail, Hussy, Harridan, Warrior and Spitfire.
Congrats to Virago for this publication.
March 26, 2024
I honestly didn't really like most of the stories. The only reason I'm writing this review is because WOW, Claire Kohda!! After reading Woman, Eating I was so curious to read more of her writing and it 100% delivered! It made the entire book worth reading, as her story really was 10/10! I truly truly loved Tygress.
August 7, 2025
“Strictly speaking it refers to a warlike woman, but there are many other less flattering synonyms…I long to be a combination of all of them because every one of those epithets sounds like a woman who would stand up for herself.”
I was not expecting to like this collection of short stories as much as I did. I was really intrigued by the concept of stories written to celebrate the anniversary of a feminist publishing company and loved that every story was titled by a name meant to be disrespectful to women, in a sort of reclaiming, I take this back way.
Some stories I hated (Wench and She-Devil), while other I loved (Dragon, Fury, Warrior). Stories that span centuries and cultures! Wouldn’t be mad to be made to annotate it if you know what I mean☺️
I was not expecting to like this collection of short stories as much as I did. I was really intrigued by the concept of stories written to celebrate the anniversary of a feminist publishing company and loved that every story was titled by a name meant to be disrespectful to women, in a sort of reclaiming, I take this back way.
Some stories I hated (Wench and She-Devil), while other I loved (Dragon, Fury, Warrior). Stories that span centuries and cultures! Wouldn’t be mad to be made to annotate it if you know what I mean☺️
November 18, 2023
Some really captivating writing in this collection, absolutely worth a read. Extra appreciation for the differing styles, diverse roster and trans inclusive stories. Happy that this book was in support of ALL women in a world that currently is not. I also very much enjoyed the consistent tone of defiance and fury. We women are angry and have reason to be.
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