An 1880s theologian. A 1940s high school principal. A 1970s, first-ever-anywhere (she's pretty sure) female take on Bozo the Clown.

In this collection, Cynthia Swanson explores the lives of nine women, including several ancillary figures from Swanson's beloved, bestselling novels. Covering more than a century of American history and landscapes, these stories examine recognizable struggles: gender presumptions, body image, gaslighting, and abuse, among others. The women's lives differ from one another, but they share a singular trait: their sex dictates the expectations stamped onto them. Each woman, in her time, must fight for who she is against the forces working to constrain her.

This Isn't New asks: What can uniquely female history teach us about our own lives—and how can the power of story inform our choices going forward?

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