International Women’s Day: A celebration of women in literature

March 03, 2023

Arabella by Georgette Heyer

‘He soon discovered that what Arabella lacked in inches she more than made up for in spirit. She tore his character to shreds and warned him of his ultimate fate.’

Georgette Heyer’s witty Regency Romances pushed female protagonists to the forefront of their own stories and Arabella is a force to be reckoned with. Illustrated by Sally Dunne, our edition also includes a beautiful binding design by lettering artist Jessica Hische.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

‘There is no book more important to me than this one. It speaks to me as no novel, past or present, has ever done.’ Alice Walker

First published in 1937, Zora Neale Hurston’s important novel remained largely under the literary radar until it was reissued in the 1970s. It went on to become a classic of the Harlem Renaissance and one of the most influential African-American novels of the 20th century. Our edition includes artwork by illustrator and textile designer Diana Ejaita and an introduction by Zadie Smith.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

‘Shirley Jackson is one of those highly idiosyncratic, inimitable writers ... whose work exerts an enduring spell.’ Joyce Carol Oates

Still considered by many to be one of the most frightening books ever written, this chilling tale influenced the genre for generations to come. Shirley Jackson was one of the great American Gothic writers and her work is paired here with that of mixed-media artist Angie Hoffmeister.

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

‘At New Year's he had given Anne a present of silver forks with handles of rock crystal. He hopes she will use them to eat with, not to stick in people.’

Hilary Mantel raised historical fiction to new heights with her audacious Booker Prize-Winning Wolf Hall. Such an epic retelling required exceptional bookmaking and this is surely the most beautifully crafted edition, with exquisite drawings by celebrated fine artists Igor & Marina.

Byzantium by Judith Herrin

‘Judith Herrin can work her way into the mind of Byzantium.’ Guardian

Professor Judith Herrin is one of the most important historians of Byzantium and her magnificent introduction to the 1,000-year empire features many powerful Byzantine women, from empresses to scholars.

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

’As a girl, Sophie would have shrivelled with embarrassment at the way she was behaving. As an old woman, she did not mind what she did or said. She found that a great relief.‘

Diana Wynne Jones was one of the best-loved and renowned children’s writers of recent times. Howl’s Moving Castle brings together Wynne Jones’s magical text and Marie-Alice Harel’s fairy tale-inspired illustrations. Harel was our 2019 Book Illustration Competition winner and has gone on to illustrate the other books in the best-selling ‘Moving Castle’ series

The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd

‘One of the most brilliant works of modern landscape literature.‘ Robert Macfarlane, from his introduction Rose Strang’s evocative paintings so perfectly complement Nan Shepherd’s poetic narrative that it’s as if they were always meant to be presented together. A powerful and timeless ode to the Cairngorm mountains, Shepherd’s vivid descriptions provide a tonic for hectic living.

Shop our International Women's Day Picks

Wolf Hall

The rise and fall of Thomas Cromwell is brilliantly portrayed in Hilary Mantel’s Booker Prize-winning Wolf Hall. This Folio Society edition is illustrated by world-renowned fine artists Igor & Marina.

The Haunting of Hill House

This lavish Folio edition of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House is illustrated by Angie Hoffmeister and introduced by Joyce Carol Oates.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

One of the defining African-American novels of the 20th century, Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God is beautifully illustrated by Diana Ejaita in this striking Folio Society edition.

Arabella

Georgette Heyer’s witty and addictive regency romance Arabella is designed in series with Folio’s edition of Venetia, featuring Sally Dunne’s beautiful illustrations, and intricate binding lettering by Jessica Hische.

Howl's Moving Castle

This fantastical Folio edition of Diana Wynne Jones’s enchanting tale features artwork by Folio’s 2019 Book Illustration Competition winner.

Byzantium

Byzantium is Judith Herrin’s masterful and often surprising history of a 1,000-year empire, in a Folio Society edition sumptuously illustrated with imperial treasures, plus a new introduction by the author.

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International Women’s Day: A celebration of women in literature