What Every Woman Knows (Annotated)

J. M. Barrie

Summary

  • This edition includes the following editor's introduction: The traumatic life of J. M. Barrie, source of universal creativity

First produced in 1908, “What Every Woman Knows” is a four-act play written by Scottish author J. M. Barrie, appeared four years after his more famous work Peter Pan. Written before women's suffrage, the play posits that "every woman knows" she is the invisible power responsible for the successes of the men in her life.
“What Every Woman Knows” is considered one of Barrie's most realistic and important theatrical works. Graced with bursts of sly wit and dramatic irony, it will delight all readers and theatre lovers alike.

“What Every Woman Knows”  is social satire set in England and Scotland during the early 20th century. The story centres around plain, spinsterish Maggie Wylie and John Shand, an ambitious young student, who promises to marry Maggie after five years if she agrees and if her family pays for his education. Years later, following his successful bid for a seat in Parliament, Shand keeps his word, but trouble lies ahead…. Attractive woman are drawn to the Scottish politician — in particular, the lovely Lady Sybil Tenterden. Moreover, Shand's speeches in Parliament, which had won him great popularity for their flashes of humour, begin to suffer when his wife no longer helps write them. Soon, both Shand's career and marriage are in jeopardy...

Available since: 06/25/2022.

Other books that might interest you

Paradise Lost

John Milton

"Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven."

In the wake of a failed cosmic rebellion, the fallen archangel Satan awakens on a burning lake of fire. Undefeated in spirit, he rallies his legions of demons to build the palace of Pandemonium and plots a subtle revenge against the Almighty. His target? God's newest and most beloved creation: Humanity. Milton's masterpiece takes us from the depths of Tartarus to the heights of the Empyrean, and finally to the lush, innocent borders of the Garden of Eden. Here, we witness the tragic temptation of Adam and Eve, a choice that changes the course of human history forever.

The Greatest Antagonist in Literature: Milton's Satan is a character of terrifying complexity. He is a charismatic leader, a tormented intellectual, and a "tragic hero" whose pride leads to his inevitable ruin. His journey from a shining angel to a crawling serpent is one of the most powerful character arcs ever written, influencing centuries of "Byronic heroes" and anti-heroes.

The Beauty of the Fall: While Satan's rebellion provides the spectacle, the emotional heart of the poem lies in Book IX, where Adam and Eve face the serpent. Milton portrays their relationship with profound psychological depth, exploring themes of free will, reason, and the heavy burden of knowledge. The final lines of the poem, as the pair walks hand-in-hand out of Eden into a "subject world," are among the most moving in all of literature.

The Power of Blank Verse: Discarding the "bondage of rhyming," Milton used unrhymed iambic pentameter (blank verse) to create a sense of vast, architectural scale. The language is dense, musical, and filled with classical allusions, creating a reading experience that feels truly "epic."

Step into the cosmic theater. Purchase "Paradise Lost" today and witness the struggle for the soul of the world.

Show book

Beautiful Stories From...

William Shakespeare, E. Nesbit

Step into the enchanting world of Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare, a delightful collection by E. Nesbit, narrated by the soothing voice of Andrew Bond and produced by Slumber Studios. 
If sleepless nights or a busy mind are keeping you awake, this audiobook is designed to gently lull you into a peaceful and restorative sleep. 
Close your eyes, relax, and let Andrew Bonds’s calming narration introduce you to some of Shakespeare’s most beloved tales—retold with warmth and simplicity. Experience timeless stories of love, adventure, magic, and destiny, all while easing into deep relaxation. 
At Slumber Studios, we create tranquil content designed to help you unwind and drift off effortlessly. This audiobook features slow, gentle narration paired with soft background music, offering the perfect escape into dreamland. 
If you’re looking for a soothing way to end your day, this is the perfect choice. Simply press play, get cozy, and let Andrew's serene voice carry you through the unforgettable worlds of Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare. Wake up refreshed, with a sense of peace and inspiration for the day ahead.

Show book

Pink Flamingos - A Screenplay

John Waters

The return of a spectacular, reviled, and iconic classic of American filth—listen as Waters himself acts out each role!John Waters takes us back to the scene of his original crime against good taste. Listen as Babs Johnson fights to hold on to her title as “Filthiest Person Alive,“ fending off the craven attempts to dethrone her by her nemeses Connie and Raymond Marble.Waters takes us on a romp through his filthy vision of Baltimore, from a child’s playpen occupied by an egg-worshipping grandmother to unhinged kangaroo courts, to the film’s iconic and revolting coup de grace (no spoilers, but it is just as stomach-churning on the page more than fifty years later!). Pink Flamingos is John Waters at his provocative, disgusting, piety-puncturing best, with the hellish and hilarious trash masterpiece that first made him a household name.A Macmillan Audio production from Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Show book

Why Fathers Cry at Night - A...

Kwame Alexander

This powerful memoir from a #1 New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Medalist features poetry, letters, recipes, and other personal artifacts that provide an intimate look into his life and the loved ones he shares it with. In a powerfully intimate and non-traditional (or "new-fashioned") memoir, Kwame Alexander shares snapshots of a man learning how to love. He takes us through stories of his parents: from being awkward newlyweds in the sticky Chicago summer of 1967, to the sometimes-confusing ways they showed their love to each other, and for him. He explores his own relationships—his difficulties as a newly wedded, 22-year-old father, and the precariousness of his early marriage working in a jazz club with his second wife. Alexander attempts to deal with the unravelling of his marriage and the grief of his mother's recent passing while sharing the solace he found in learning how to perfect her famous fried chicken dish. With an open heart, Alexander weaves together memories of his past to try and understand his greatest love: his daughters. Full of heartfelt reminisces, family recipes, love poems, and personal letters, Why Fathers Cry at Night inspires bravery and vulnerability in every reader who has experienced the reckless passion, heartbreak, failure, and joy that define the whirlwind woes and wonders of love.

Show book

Juniper Blood

Mike Bartlett

'Dreams.
You don't compromise on those.'
Lip and Ruth have left the city behind for a new life on a farm; trying to live differently, live better. But when Ruth's stepdaughter and her incendiary best friend arrive, this quiet rural project is thrown into chaos, as conflicting visions of the future come crashing into the present.
Poignant and powerful, Mike Bartlett's play Juniper Blood explores the true cost of pursuing our ideals in an imperfect world. It premiered at the Donmar Warehouse, London, in 2025, directed by James Macdonald.

Show book

The Tempest | Shakespeare for...

Jeanette Vigon

Ever dreamed of a world where spells alter reality and islands hide secrets waiting to be unveiled? Jeanette Vigon's "Tempest" turns that dream into a thrilling reality for children, reimagining Shakespeare's masterpiece with a twist that's as enchanting as it is accessible. 
This enchanting tale simplifies the complex original, making it accessible and relatable for young readers. Dive into a world where magical elements, profound themes of power struggles, redemption, and forgiveness come to life through simplified language and reimagined scenes. Designed to introduce the essence of Shakespeare's work to children, "Tempest" weaves a story of mystery, love, and the quest for justice on an enchanted island, promising to ignite a passion for literature in young hearts.Tailored for Young Readers: Simplified language and scenes make Shakespeare's profound tale accessible and engaging for children.Educational and Entertaining: Introduces classic literature themes in a manner that's understandable and relatable to young audiences.Enriching Visuals and Narratives: Reimagined content that respects the essence of the original work, designed to captivate and educate. 
Let "Tempest" be the key that unlocks the door to the vast and wondrous realm of literature for your children, fostering an early love for reading and the classics.

Show book