I Who Have Never Known Men

Written by Jacqueline Harpman

Narrated by Nikki Massoud

Deep underground, 39 women live imprisoned in a cage. Watched over by guards, the women have no memory of how they got there, no notion of time, and only a vague recollection of their lives before.

As the burn of electric light merges day into night and numberless years pass, a young girl—the 40th prisoner—sits alone and outcast in the corner. Soon she will show herself to be the key to the others’ escape and survival in the strange world that awaits them above ground.

Informed by her background as a psychoanalyst and her youth in exile, I Who Have Never Known Men is a haunting, heartbreaking post-apocalyptic novel of female friendship and intimacy, and the lengths people will go to maintain their humanity in the face of devastation. Back in print for the first time since 1997, Jacqueline Harpman’s modern classic is an important addition to the growing canon of feminist speculative literature.

This audio edition of I Who Have Never Known Men is expertly read by Nikki Massoud, a listener favorite. Produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont. ©1997, 2019 Ros Schwartz.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Echo Point Books & Media, LLC
• Release date: Jun 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9781666671285

Reviews for I Who Have Never Known Men

[Laura Williams · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful writing and thought provoking but I ultimately hated and was disturbed by this book. In the time I’m living in now (2025), I needed something less bleak with at least SOME resolution and meaning behind the little plot there was. I’ll never get the time I spent reading this back.
The lack of resolution was unsatisfying and seemed an easy way out for the writer to not have to reveal literally anything in the end.

[readiculousreads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an unrelenting, wonderful book this is. I don't have words, really. I will be thinking about this book for years to come!

[Jay · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very well written, very strange book making commentary on authority, society, and human condition.

I disliked the emphasis the author put on the development of the main characters body being stunted as a result of not encountering a man. Probably my biggest gripe with this book. The idea that someone's body just doesn't develop because it has never experienced the touch of a man is ridiculous.

The novel is likely not what you expect. It is consistent and devastating. A lot of unanswered questions that provoke deeper thought. Not an action packed thriller, so don't go into it with that idea.

Also this is my personal opinion but the narrators inhales between words almost made me stop reading. It is that grating to hear. Not enjoyable for 6 hours

[herby528 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A book that will forever stick with me. Highly recommend!

[tracy horton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great morals imparted. Words flowed forward easy to read. Thanks!

[khendry912 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

10000/10 wow. Just wow. This has become one of my favorite novels

[Marikins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Continues to be one of my favorite books and audiobooks of all time. So thoughtful and calm yet upsetting. I would recommend this to literally anyone!!

[alexis.d.cunningham · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I spent most of this book expecting something thrilling to happen, but it’s far more philosophical than plot-driven. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—it offers an insinuating perspective (if that makes sense), one that requires the reader to think more deeply than when a story is neatly laid out. Still, the plot holes were a bit too big for my liking, leaving too much open to interpretation. Based on the acknowledgments, that seems intentional, but I found myself wanting more. This is the kind of book I’d expect to see in a college-level women’s studies course—rich for discussion, but not quite satisfying in a traditional sense.

[jems1026 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was lowkey what I expected 5/5 stars wondering what the rest of my book club will say

[Jen Ingrid Engen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a strange story. It’s a good and intriguing read that really leaves one thinking about all the mysteries of the story and what it means to be a woman and what it means to be human.

[samanthamahler18 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Liminal sorrow of a lone survivor on a plane devoid of life.

[Dana Cox · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

If you’re a strong, independent woman, this probably is not the correct book for you or maybe it’s because I’m happy married to a man that lets me be a bad ass. I didn’t like it.
Also I’m still not sure what was going on? Why are they locked up? Is it Earth?

[akouakoro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very weird book. Loved it. No an happy ending story

[Karlee Van Loo · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Upsetting only for the fact that there is no explanation of the story. It’s beautifully written and eye opening, but with no explanation to end the story of the narrators life. I understand that was the point after hearing the afterwords, but I was highly disappointed. The entire book you’re left wondering what is going on, a lot of whys and hope for something you’ll never know.

[Kari Vanessa · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I hated this book. I can't believe I used my last unlock for the month on this.