The Woman's Part

by Jo Gatford

Using a combination of original prose and erasure poetry, The Woman's Part reimagines the lives and desires of Shakespeare's women — their unspoken opinions, perspectives, and unwritten endings. Each piece is accompanied by an erasure poem made from one of the character's speeches. Gatford says of her chapbook, "My aim with this collection was not necessarily to make a grand statement, but to explore the thoughts and experiences of women who were never given the stage time to say what they really thought, or the ending they deserved. Which is probably all any of us really want."

"The Woman's Part tips the Shakespeare canon on its axis, taking an axe to long-held conventions. An affecting and finely-crafted masterpiece which invites us to unlearn our deepest Bard-based archetypes. Stunning, incisive and fearless writing from one of the most exciting new voices on the literary scene." - Dr Chris Laoutaris, FHEA, Associate Professor of Shakespeare and Early Modern Drama, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, The Shakespeare Institute

"By voicing their innermost desires (and eating a few still-beating hearts!) Shakespeare's women come into their power and create a chorus of fierce feeling." - Gwen Kirby, author of Shit Cassandra Saw

Genres: Poetry

56 pages, Paperback

Published January 17, 2023

About the author

Jo Gatford wants to live on your bookshelf.

Her work has won the Bath Flash Award, the Flash 500 Prize, the Molotov Cocktail Flash City Contest, the Bare Fiction Prize and the Shooter Lit Poetry Competition. You can find her short stories, poetry and flash fiction most recently in Flash Frog, The Forge, The Lumiere Review, Pithead Chapel, PRISM, SmokeLong Quarterly, trampset, The Woolf, and elsewhere.

Jo is also co-founder of Writers' HQ, a productivity-smashing writing school offering online courses, workshops, and local retreats across the UK. She's also an editor, copywriter, and mentor.

She lives in Brighton where she writes for her supper, reads for her insomnia, and wrangles two ridiculous children.

Reviews

[H]

not for me, i’m afraid. adaptation/response that takes the stance of “this is what should have happened instead” rather than being to willing to engage with what does happen is frustrating to me. not to quote robert frost out of nowhere but we love the things we love for what they are! there’s a way to adapt shakespeare that doesn’t feel like suppressing anything one finds unsavory.

[jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent concept and beautiful execution. Man, I miss my Shakespeare college courses. I’ll be coming back to this one after I’ve read more plays.

[Emma Creasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This intriguing and very clever little book gives an alternative voice to a selection of Shakespeare's female characters. Each character is portrayed through two offerings: an original poem by Gatford, and a 'found poem' made by selecting (in the order they come) certain words from a section of the play, blocking out the rest. (I now see this is called 'erasure poetry'). They offer an entirely different viewpoint about - and from - the women. I liked all of the poems, finding them very moving, but probably got the most out of the ones where I was fairly familiar with the play in question. An appropriate read for International Women's Day and one to revisit (when I've read more plays!)

Oh, and if you have any lean towards writing yourself, you should totally sign up to Writers' HQ, the writing community and resources website co-founded by Jo. It's the most wonderful place.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't get the clever concept of this book out of my head, and after seeing the editor's raving review of what made them accept this book for publication, I knew I would have to purchase this book to read.

Glad I did! Very quick read. So satisfying to hold in your hand.

I love the mix of original writing and blackout poetry. Blackout poetry is something I've really only seen online, so it's awesome to see it utilized in print publication like this.

My favorites were Juliet, Isabella, and Imogen, all for very different reasons. Some sections brought delight, others thoughtfulness, and others even horrors. There's a little bit of something for just about everyone in this little print.

[Andrea Lawler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only is the idea behind this book absolutely brilliant—but it was executed so damn well. I love, LOVE the concept of giving Shakespeare’s female characters the center stage. Bravo, Jo!

I also received this book through Stanchion Zine’s bookclub membership, which I would also like to leave a Five Star review. Had I not been subscribed to Stanchion’s bookclub, I’m not sure I would have ever stumbled across this wonderful little book and its author. Subscribe to Stanchion Zine and/or the bookclub. It’ll be one of the best subscription services you’ve ever experienced.

https://www.stanchionzine.com/product...

[Matt Kendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully original book that re-examines the women in Shakespeare's plays and gives them a voice that is often lacking in the source material. Told through an intriguing combination of lyrical short fiction and erasure poems, this brilliant collection brings characters like Juliet and Cleopatra to life in all their sadness, longing and rage. The writing is beautiful throughout, making use of the source language and infusing it with a freshness that makes you want to read each piece over and over again. A must read for fans of Shakespearean re-tellings or anyone who enjoys writing that shimmers on the page.

[Nina Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using erasure poetry and engaging prose, Jo Gatford brings us into the world of Shakespeare's women, where we can see them in a new powerful light. Imogen, Portia, Emilia, and Ophelia were some of my favorite re-imaginings. Each story brings forth possibilities of what could have been, what should have been, and now what I dream can be for all those woman's parts whose playwrights once overlooked. Jo Gatford's book has given me a new lens to enjoy old works. This book is refreshing to read and oh-so poetic in its delivery.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd have probably given it five stars if I'd known the back stories of all the women. My fault, not the author's, and I will remedy it and reread! The concept behind this book is brilliant and the poems created by redacting parts of their speech are often beautiful and moving. The character studies are thought-provoking and deep despite their brevity. If you know your Shakespeare then this will enhance the plays you know well and inspire you to revisit those you don't.

[Sadee Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What more can I say that already hasn’t been said?

I loved this, so much more than I expected I would. I’ve always loved Shakespeare, and have often been drawn to the women in his works; the ones you’re always so desperate to know more about.

Gatford gives a voice to these women in such beautiful and haunting prose, along with heavily captivating erasure poetry.

Highly recommend this to anyone looking to dive into 500 year old feminine rage.

[M.R. Mandell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. The poetry inspired by the works of Shakespeare is vibrant and moving. The author's creativity welcomes the reader into Shakespeare in a way I've never seen before, helping one understand "The Woman's Part" more clearly. As a young actress, I wish I'd had this as a handbook, as it would have helped me understand the heart behind the words with much more depth and clarity.

I highly recommend for anyone, whether you adore Shakespeare or not.

[Katie Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a clever collection. With pared-back flash and erasure poetry, reading between the lines of Shakespeare plays has never been more engaging. Gatford muses on what could have been for a number of Shakespeare's female characters in a way that gives them new freedom, but also feels entirely consistent with their existing personalities. A must-read for lovers of Shakespeare.

[alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent prose and erasure poetry that could easily find itself as an alternative theatrical experience (in addition to living on the page). The concept of the book, in tandem with the spot on prose and erasure for each of the women of Shakespeare, made this such an excellent read. It is one I’m eager to read again!

[Angela Joynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore The Woman’s Part! Just wish I could give more than five stars for once. As a Shakespeare fan and a feminist, I hail Jo Gatford as the Queen of the heroine! Gorgeous erasure poetry and so very insightful. I learn something new each time I read it. And let me just say, any fan of Cymbeline and my very favorite Shakespearean heroine IMOGEN is a writer after my own heart!

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cohesive, thought provoking and resonant collection. I particularly enjoyed Gatford’s poems focusing on Portia, Juliet, Beatrice, Lavinia and Isabella. The erasure poetry from King Lear is… chef’s kiss!

[Amanda Karch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fierce feminist retelling of Shakespeare through the women’s eyes, captured through a combination of Gatford’s original poetry & her erasure of Shakespeare’s plays to uncover a different story. A true reclamation of self and power reminding us that women’s stories deserve to be heard.

[Nichole Beauchamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning book. Deceptively small in size, steeped in so much knowledge and rage and wisdom. Confession - I kept googling the characters as it's been some time since I read Shakespeare but that didn't diminish my enjoyment one bit. Thought provoking writing that lingers.

[Ashly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming blend of prose and erasure poetry. I would recommend going into this with some basic knowledge of Shakespeare--though I'm sure it's still wholly enjoyable without.

[ML Therrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5.

[Mandy Cambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever wordplay, excellent poems. A fresh light on old words that is worth a read or several.

The only downside is that it is so short.

[Meesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely such a beautiful read and looked way deeper into the other sides of Shakespeare, makes me want to read his other works too!! MILO YOUR MOM MAKES WONDERFUL BOOKS OK!!!!