Three Women

A truly inspirational book for modern times. I absolutely loved all the different stories between the three characters and their, sometimes incredibly messed up relationships. Thoroughly enjoyed this xx

It was hard to remember at times that I was reading non fiction; this totally read as a great work of fiction. But when I did remember it truly brought another level to it.
The story, as the title suggests, of three women. Three unrelated real lives, documented over a few years Lina is stuck in a loveless marriage who reconnects with her first teenage love. Maggie recalls her troubled teenage years where she finds complicated adulteress love with her schoolteacher leading to him facing charges. And finally Sloan, a married mother of two who, alongside her husband, seeks sexual thrills elsewhere but with full knowledge and often participation of her husband.

Deep themes of love, sex, desire alongside the complexities of characters, their backgrounds, their families. This truly examines the lives of three modern women. Unflinching, very compelling, and brilliant

I guess my overriding feeling when I'd finished this incredible book is that the desire to be desired, the need to be loved, the search for a connection that chimes makes women vulnerable. The women who are the subjects Lina, Sloane and Maggie were looking for validation that they were wanted and needed, yet none of them found it. It would be easy to point the finger at men, too easy perhaps as here they don't cover themselves in glory, however, I think we must acknowledge that women generally want more from their sexual relationships than men. A man once said to me that having sex was like quenching a thirst. I remember thinking that this statement simply objectified women, turned them into something to be used for the benefit of men, but I know not all men feel the same. I found the minutiae of thoughts as they experienced profound moments was enlightening. I'm sure these unconnected thoughts have occured to all of us at strange times. Perhaps it's the human way of accepting an action that we know in our psyche is wrong. Disturbing, enthralling and thought provoking.

Well this is one hell of a yes book for me. Three women talking openly about their sexuality & the way they, their family and society have viewed them through that lens. The bravery of these three women speaking so honestly reveals just how much we censor female sexuality still. Out in July - pre order or add to your TBR list fast!

An honest account and one which illuminates women's sexuality and desire in a way which is seldom discussed. I found "Three Women" to be compulsive reading and found much of it relatable. I think the women who told their stories were brave to come forward and I've no doubt that they will help, encourage and give comfort to others.

What an exciting read. 3 women, how their early lives shaped their adult lives. Each story is different but in some way the women share some desires and disappointments. It is one of the books you can't wait to get back to and find out how each woman is getting on. Its so interesting to see how each story builds to a crescendo and then starts to crumble. The men involved with all three women have their own problems and needs. Its a book that leaves you wanting to understand more about how all those involved felt after the ending of the different relationships. Fascinating read. A book that comes to and end far too soon.

4.5 stars

I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to read this book. It received high praise from Dolly Alderton and that woman never disappoints with her recommendations. So, I requested it on a whim and oh my god, what a book.

Three Women comprises unrelated stories about the lives of well, 3 women. Having written this over the course of eight years, flying across the country to interview the women in their hometowns, Taddeo zooms in on the chaotic truths of their sexual desires with unflinching detail. These women are of different social status, are different ages and are from different parts of the country, yet their commonalities are clear. They each seek out something in sex that they were missing in their past. This is a challenging book which dives into the psychology of women, revealing hidden thoughts, desires, obsessions and ultimately, hope.

Taddeo’s writing is enthralling, and I was constantly having to remind myself that this is nonfiction. Reading about their experiences, it wouldn’t be hard to believe that these women are characters that have sprouted from Taddeo’s imagination. I felt for these women. I rooted for them. By the end of the book, I felt I knew them inside and out and I was left itching to know what these women are doing now.

Furthermore, this book will enrage you. Reading through their experiences, we learn that they are judged by other women despite a man being just as involved in their individual circumstances. They are wrongly shamed for going against societies wishes and for doing as they please. Why? Well, a big part of that is because they’re women. Their desires are muted, exploited and denied by a society that continues to suppress our truths, while it simultaneously sexualises us in other ways. Nonetheless, each of the women demonstrates the ravenous forces that lie within us all, that have for too long been trampled down.

I don’t read much nonfiction but, even if I did, I don’t think I could compare this book to anything else. I wholeheartedly recommend picking this stunning piece of literary non-fiction up and hope you are as astounded by the bravery of these women to have their stories told to the world as I am.

I can’t really say what first interested me in this book. I was intrigued by the reviewer mentioning In Cold Blood and having read this book, I can see how the two are connected. Like Capote, Lisa Taddeo doesn’t just tell a story, she shows an in depth understanding of a person - or in this case, three people. Here are three flawed but real people whose lives are bruised by their interactions (generally with the men in their lives) and the choices they make.
Written in their voices, you feel party to their thoughts and feelings, and bruised by the hurts they endure. I found the book harrowing but redemptive, beautifully worded but never overwritten.
It is three stories - three quite ordinary stories with a universal theme so relevant in the #MeToo world but it never forces a political view because these are real people and real stories and Lisa Taddeo is not only an exceptional writer but one who has tapped into those stories with compassion and power.
I have and will continue to recommend this book to anyone that asks me for a good read. I doubt I will read anything better this year or have a book whose characters speak so clearly to me even as a man.

I absolutely adore this book. Moving, mesmerizing and totally devastating, I never wanted it to end. My non-fiction book of the year - more from Lisa Taddeo, please.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to friends, family and the goodreads community. It was unlike any book I’ve read before especially because it tells the story of real women in the style of a fiction novel. I found myself getting so drawn into these women’s lives and journeys that I couldn’t wait to pick the book up at the next available opportunity. The writing was so accomplished that you couldn’t help but feel a connection to the characters – the feelings and emotions experienced by these women literally seeped out of every page. Being able to relate to some of these emotions was such a profound experience. A true gem of a book. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because for my personal taste it got a bit explicit at times. I think the book would’ve been just as powerful without so much of this. Thank you for the opportunity to read an advance review copy.

Three Women is like nothing I've ever read before, a gripping, unflinching account that kept me riveted from start to finish. It is beautifully written and brutally honest. It forced me to think long and hard about my own relationship and the reactions i have had to other women and their choices. I related most closely to Lina but I believe Maggie's story is the most interesting because of the huge injustice at the heart of it. If I have any criticisms they would be just two. Firstly that the women are not fully rounded out as personalities; I understand this is because the focus is on desire and the impact it has had on their lives. Even so, I felt interested to know more about their characters. Secondly, there is not much closure and in particular I wondered for Maggie and Lina, what happened next? All in all, fantastic, original, thought-provoking work and highly recommended.

As soon as I'd finished the first page of this incredible work of non-fiction, I knew I was about to embark on something special. Lisa Taddeo spent a long time interviewing three women; Maggie - groomed by her school teacher in the cruelest of ways; Sloane - encouraged by her husband to have sex with other men and women, whilst he watches; and Lina - married to Ed for 10 years, but he has never even kissed her. The book flits from one character to another, each chapter has its own mini cliff hanger which keeps you on the edge until that character's story comes round again. It was brilliant, a real page turner and a complete eye opener into the lives of these very special women. I was only sorry that it had to come to an end.

This book was absolute brilliance! Loved every minute of it. It's one of those non-fiction books that reads like fiction.
It's the story of 3 unrelated women over some years. Lina is in an unhappy marriage when she reconnects with her first love. Sloan, married with 2 kids looks for some sexual adventures outside her marital bed, sometimes even with her husband. And Sloan is in an affair with her teacher, which puts him in trouble.

All these stories involve themes of love & sex, expectations from live and relationships. Of course, it's presented alongside the complexities of their lives, families, history, characters. It's a very well written non-fiction, very impactful, looking at these 3 modern women. Very sharp, unapologetic and interesting. I'd highly recommend it.

Thanks a lot to Netgalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was dubious about starting this book as I wasnt sure the writing style or what it would bring to me however shortly after starting I realised how beautiful Taddeos writing style is and what the book is about - desire.
Each of the three womans stories are thought-provoking and insightful. They each speak so powerfully you cannot help but be moved by their tables. Taddeo lays these women bare and examines their every thought in such a non-judgemental and insightful way that I found this non fiction tale to be as gripping as any fiction I have read.

Loved this book and will be recommending to family and friends.

Although this book is non-fiction and it starts in a journalistic style, I was soon engrossed in the three women’s stories, which read like a novel and totally engaged me. Fortunately I was on holiday and could spend time with it.
All three woman were so real, and were brave to share their stories. All so different but with similarities in the way their dreams and desires led to unhappiness and, at times, exploitation.
Not always an easy read, Three Women is a book I will be recommending to all my female friends. It is enlightening and could even be seen as liberating. I see this as a potentially important book, and I hope it sells really well.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review #ThreeWomen #NetGalley I was impressed and touched.

I loved this book, I love this "new genre" of True Romance - from a female perspective. The stories were real, raw and resonated with me on many levels. The desire and wants of each woman were so well articulated that you could feel their internal struggle in different situations. Everyone should read this book - men and women, young(ish) and old. I hope Lisa Taddeo writes more, and I hope others explore this genre/these topics further now the way has been paved with this title.