When Women Were Dragons is a novel by Kelly Barnhill, set in an alternate version of the 1950s and 1960s, where women possess the ability to transform into dragons. The story explores themes of identity, freedom, and societal expectations, blending magical realism with historical fiction.
The novel follows the life of a young girl named Alex Green, who grows up in a world where women are expected to conform to traditional roles and are often stifled by societal norms. However, in 1955, a mysterious event known as the “Great Dragoning” occurs, when thousands of women spontaneously transform into dragons, breaking free from the restrictions of their gender roles and reclaiming their autonomy.
Alex’s mother is one of these women, and her transformation has a profound impact on Alex’s understanding of herself and the world around her. Throughout the novel, Alex grapples with the complexities of gender, power, and transformation, as well as the consequences of a society that suppresses women’s true potential.
The book is both a coming-of-age story and a metaphorical exploration of women’s rights, societal expectations, and the quest for self-determination. It asks questions about identity and the ways in which women are constrained by their roles in society, while also celebrating the strength and resilience that women possess.
