All the Women She Knows

by Tutku Barbaros

Paperback

Reviews

[Charlotte Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure that this book was for me when my local bookshop selected it for International Women’s Day, but then the author talked about wanting to write about sisterhood; about great, ordinary women; about creating a world where bad men aren’t allowed to take up space, and where good ones exist; about stories that feel like a warm hug, and I knew I wanted to read it.
Now that I have read it I think the best review I can write is that I want to gift this book to all of the women who are part of my sisterhood. I want to gift it to those in need of sisterhood. And I want to say to them all “read this when you’re in need of a warm hug”.

[Molly McCabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style wasn’t for me. I found it difficult to follow the stories and connect to the characters

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written & I really liked the structure. I liked how the stories intersected each other. I liked the insights into the Turkish language & the feelings how growing up in between cultures felt very relatable. The only thing for me was that in the last chapter where all characters sort of met each other I had lost track of which story belonged to which character which either could be a problem with my memory or the introduction of too many characters.

[readwithkapz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a collection of eleven short stories, centred around eight women who are navigating prominent aspects of life such as anxiety, grief, body dysmorphia and culture.

The stories are vivid, emotional, genuine. I felt like I knew the characters or had previously come across them myself.

Some of my favourite chapters were:

- ‘Rey Was Taught’
- ‘Clea and the Play Suit’
- ‘Magenta Moves In’
- ‘Dia Is A Leader’
- ‘Rey Goes On A Journey’
- ‘A Wedding In Full Swing’

At times, I found myself reflecting on my own life, asking myself ‘what do I appreciate?’, ‘what am I grateful for?’

This book is beautifully written. If you’re looking for a short read for your next holiday, commute to work or downtime, you need to read this one.

[Mia Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

All The Women She Knows is a beautifully composed collection of short stories that follows the individual lives of eight heart-achingly relatable and beautifully flawed women. Every story, each with its own distinct style of prose, inventive structural form and lovingly constructed characters, touches the heart of its reader through such creative explorations of love, loss, friendship, motherhood, acceptance, change, growth and more.

Barbaros’ adoration of and passion for these characters, their stories and the re-telling of the female experience is imbued into every word of this book and makes the read a rollercoaster of emotions. After many smiles, tears, giggles and sighs, I was left feeling so attached to the women in each story. An easy 5 stars from me!

[Holly MacEntee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved spending time with the women in this book..I really cared about them and felt grateful that they shared their story with me. So much of the book feels familiar, people and places you've met/glimpsed/observed before but with a wonderful sense of anticipation too. Excited to turn the page and find out who we'll meet next! I loved the writing style and the images the book conjured up. A joy to read!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read and layout. All The Women She Knows is actually all the women you know. Truly relatable stories of the battles of inner self, full of moments that most women have experienced. Dealing with their mental struggles, while trying to find that calm and serenity within oneself. Highly recommend.

[Kathryn Hennessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and inspiring collection of short stories about modern women. The dynamic writing makes their characters vivid and relatable as we are pulled into their worlds. Reading the stories was like sitting in the hairdressers and hearing real women laugh and cry about how they deal with whatever life throws at them.

[Olivia Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve not read a book in a while that has felt so relevant and relatable and I really could not recommend more highly. Tutku writes about the significance of the small moments that make the possibility of every day monumental. It was a book I needed to read and a book I know I will come back to.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made my heart ache for all the familiar experiences it brought up of being in my 20s/30s. Even though the stories are all distinct and cover different ground and different cultures, they were woven together in a brilliant way. Loved it.

[Katie Monton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of poetic short stories about womens’ everyday - love, friendship, grief, celebration - cleverly intertwined so that you can’t put it down and end up reading it in a day. A book that you want to recommend and pass on to all your friends.

[Anita Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of stories by Tutku is thoughtfully and cleverly written with insight, love, humour and wisdom. It’s both enjoyable and encouraging to read, just what a good book should be.

[Zera Mehmet · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredibly powerful and thought provoking book. Not only does the stories of the wonderfuly relatable characters inspire, they without doubt shine a light on all the journeys of awomen from every corner of world. A beautifully poetics book too!

[Jess Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a soul affirming, gorgeous collection of short stories. The wisdom, sensitivity, and truth in these women - I laughed, cried, and want to meet up with them all and dance until 4am. Tutku writes with relatability, compassion, and humour in a debut that celebrates the beauty of the small moments that exist within the big ones.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gorgeous read. I found myself relating to many of the characters, seeing myself in them but also wishing I could grab a drink or coffee with them. Tutku has written fully formed characters with intuition, compassion and deep inner worlds. A great gift to give your best friend, mom or any person in your life man or woman. Full of food, language and love of self and community.