Discover the lives and work of four ambitious Renaissance women who, against all odds, made themselves heard—and read—in the time of Shakespeare. In this engaging audiobook, Ramie Targoff narrates the stories of these remarkable women: Mary Sidney, an accomplished poet and sister of Sir Philip Sidney; Aemilia Lanyer, the first woman in the 17th century to publish a book of original poetry with a feminist perspective; Elizabeth Cary, who wrote the first original play by a woman; and Anne Clifford, a lifelong diarist involved in a famed inheritance battle. Targoff’s narration brings their struggles and triumphs to life, revealing how they carved out spaces for their voices amid a patriarchy that sought to silence them.

Targoff not only tells their stories with depth but also offers a fresh perspective on the Renaissance, enriching our understanding of this pivotal era. This audiobook invites listeners to appreciate the courage and creativity of women who defined themselves as writers in a time when their contributions were often overlooked.