The Seven Ages

by Eva Figes

Tells the story of England from a woman's point of view, as seen through the mind of a modern midwife

Genres: Fiction, Literature, Feminism

186 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Eva Figes (born Eva Unger) is a German-born English author.

Figes has written novels, literary criticism, studies of feminism, and vivid memoirs relating to her Berlin childhood and later experiences as a Jewish refugee from Hitler's Germany. She arrived in Britain in 1939 with her parents and a younger brother. Figes is now a resident of north London and the mother of the academic Orlando Figes and writer Kate Figes.

In the 1960s she was associated with an informal group of experimental British writers influenced by Rayner Heppenstall, which included Stefan Themerson, Ann Quin and its informal leader, B. S. Johnson.

Figes's fiction has certain similarities with the writings of Virginia Woolf. The 1983 novel, Light, is an impressionistic portrait of a single day in the life of Claude Monet from sunrise to sunset.

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

"As gerações vêm e vão, ténues como as folhas que agora estão a cair. Um pouco de húmus no solo e um delgado fumo cinzento a subir."

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that has sat on my shelf for ages. Interesting, strange, at times, quite lovely.
Women, childbirth and midwives], herbal remedies, war, nature and more for the course of seven ages. I liked the early times more than the modern [which it wasn't either].

[Diem Shepard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this while rearranging some shelves and I have no idea where I got it. I love the concept, tracing the history of place through the women there, instead of looking at the Big Picture -- you know, men and war. There's a wealth of plant lore, since the women form a long line of healers and midwives. And I am amazed that I didn't know Figes before this. So glad I decided to move that shelf!

[Chloe Knopik · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending served everything it needed to. I think I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more if I kept a consistent timeline of the characters because it gets hella confusing

[Lorna McMillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites that sticks with me. I come from a long line of doctors, and I also come from a long line of strong women. Definitely makes you appreciate how far medicine, the treatment of women, and the human experience has come.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unbelievable book! Weaves personal histories with the bounty of the earth - herbal remedies and tinctures, passed down through the ages. Fascinating reading, the best of all her books.

[Rossy Jean]

good