Five
The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper
By Hallie Rubenhold | Publisher: HarperCollins
About the book
Winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction and of the Goodreads Choice Award for History & Biography
The award-winning, best-selling true crime book that changes the narrative of the “Ripper” murders forever
Polly, Annie, Elisabeth, Catherine, and Mary Jane are famous for the same thing, though they never met. They came from some of London’s wealthiest and poorest neighborhoods, from the factory towns of middle England, and from Wales and Sweden. They wrote ballads, ran coffeehouses, lived on country estates; they breathed ink dust from printing presses and escaped human traffickers.
What they had in common was the year of their murders: 1888. The person responsible was never identified, but the character created by the press to fill that gap has become far more famous than any of these five women. Now, in this gripping work of social history, Hallie Rubenhold finally sets the record straight, giving these women back their stories and painting a vivid portrait of Victorian London.
By moving the focus away from the killer, The Five uncovers the real stories behind the headlines:
- The Five Lives: Meet Polly, Annie, Elisabeth, Catherine, and Mary Jane. For the first time, their full biographies are revealed, from their childhoods and careers to their loves and losses.
- Beyond the “Prostitute” Myth: This landmark investigation challenges the long-held, misogynistic assumption that all the victims worked as prostitutes, giving these women back their dignity.
- A Portrait of Victorian Poverty: Journey into the workhouses, lodging houses, and hidden corners of 19th-century London, where the struggle for survival was a daily reality.
- Gripping Narrative Nonfiction: A compelling and compassionate read that combines deep research with powerful storytelling to finally set the record straight.
Editions of Five
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780358299615
- EBook
- ISBN 9781328664082
Read an Excerpt
Winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction and of the Goodreads Choice Award for History & Biography
The award-winning, best-selling true crime book that changes the narrative of the “Ripper” murders forever
Polly, Annie, Elisabeth, Catherine, and Mary Jane are famous for the same thing, though they never met. They came from some of London’s wealthiest and poorest neighborhoods, from the factory towns of middle England, and from Wales and Sweden. They wrote ballads, ran coffeehouses, lived on country estates; they breathed ink dust from printing presses and escaped human traffickers.
What they had in common was the year of their murders: 1888. The person responsible was never identified, but the character created by the press to fill that gap has become far more famous than any of these five women. Now, in this gripping work of social history, Hallie Rubenhold finally sets the record straight, giving these women back their stories and painting a vivid portrait of Victorian London.
By moving the focus away from the killer, The Five uncovers the real stories behind the headlines:
- The Five Lives: Meet Polly, Annie, Elisabeth, Catherine, and Mary Jane. For the first time, their full biographies are revealed, from their childhoods and careers to their loves and losses.
- Beyond the “Prostitute” Myth: This landmark investigation challenges the long-held, misogynistic assumption that all the victims worked as prostitutes, giving these women back their dignity.
- A Portrait of Victorian Poverty: Journey into the workhouses, lodging houses, and hidden corners of 19th-century London, where the struggle for survival was a daily reality.
- Gripping Narrative Nonfiction: A compelling and compassionate read that combines deep research with powerful storytelling to finally set the record straight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Five about?
Winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction and of the Goodreads Choice Award for History & Biography
The award-winning, best-selling true crime book that changes the narrative of the “Ripper” murders forever
Polly, Annie, Elisabeth, Catherine, and Mary Jane are famous for the same thing, though they never met. They came from some of London’s wealthiest and poorest neighborhoods, from the factory towns of middle England, and from Wales and Sweden. They wrote ballads, ran coffeehouses, lived on country estates; they breathed ink dust from printing presses and escaped human traffickers.
What they had in common was the year of their murders: 1888. The person responsible was never identified, but the character created by the press to fill that gap has become far more famous than any of these five women. Now, in this gripping work of social history, Hallie Rubenhold finally sets the record straight, giving these women back their stories and painting a vivid portrait of Victorian London.
By moving the focus away from the killer, The Five uncovers the real stories behind the headlines:
- The Five Lives: Meet Polly, Annie, Elisabeth, Catherine, and Mary Jane. For the first time, their full biographies are revealed, from their childhoods and careers to their loves and losses.
- Beyond the “Prostitute” Myth: This landmark investigation challenges the long-held, misogynistic assumption that all the victims worked as prostitutes, giving these women back their dignity.
- A Portrait of Victorian Poverty: Journey into the workhouses, lodging houses, and hidden corners of 19th-century London, where the struggle for survival was a daily reality.
- Gripping Narrative Nonfiction: A compelling and compassionate read that combines deep research with powerful storytelling to finally set the record straight.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Five?
Society and Social Sciences > Society and culture: general > Social and ethical issues > Poverty and precarity
Where can I read a sample of Five?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780358299615
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Five?
Hallie Rubenhold
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Five is available as paperback(ISBN 9780358299615) and ebook(ISBN 9781328664082)
Where can I buy Five online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Five from below