About the book
MARIE CLAIRE BEST BOOKS OF 2023
‘Thrilling…the experimental format carries an enjoyable tale impressively’ Times Literary Supplement
‘Spry, compulsive, unexpectedly profound’ Observer
A novel like no other - remarkably told through museum wall labels - about a twentieth-century woman who transforms herself from a precious object into an unforgettable protagonist
Prized, collected, critiqued. One Woman Show revolves around the life of Kitty Whitaker as she is defined by her potential for display and moved from collection to collection through multiple marriages. Christine Coulson, who has written hundreds of exhibition wall labels for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, precisely distils each stage of Kitty's sprawling life into that distinct format, every brief snapshot in time a wry reflection on womanhood, ownership, value and power.
Described with wit, poignancy and humour over the course of the twentieth century, Kitty emerges as an eccentric heroine who disrupts her privileged, porcelain life with both major force and minor transgressions. As human foibles propel each delicately crafted text, Coulson playfully asks: who really gets to tell our stories?
'Heartbreaking and funny . . . truly masterful and patient and insane, in the best way' Leanne Shapton
'Wry, humorous, poignant' Spectator
Editions of One Woman Show
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780241659908
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781802067262
- EBook
- ISBN 9781802064070
Read an Excerpt
MARIE CLAIRE BEST BOOKS OF 2023
‘Thrilling…the experimental format carries an enjoyable tale impressively’ Times Literary Supplement
‘Spry, compulsive, unexpectedly profound’ Observer
A novel like no other - remarkably told through museum wall labels - about a twentieth-century woman who transforms herself from a precious object into an unforgettable protagonist
Prized, collected, critiqued. One Woman Show revolves around the life of Kitty Whitaker as she is defined by her potential for display and moved from collection to collection through multiple marriages. Christine Coulson, who has written hundreds of exhibition wall labels for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, precisely distils each stage of Kitty's sprawling life into that distinct format, every brief snapshot in time a wry reflection on womanhood, ownership, value and power.
Described with wit, poignancy and humour over the course of the twentieth century, Kitty emerges as an eccentric heroine who disrupts her privileged, porcelain life with both major force and minor transgressions. As human foibles propel each delicately crafted text, Coulson playfully asks: who really gets to tell our stories?
'Heartbreaking and funny . . . truly masterful and patient and insane, in the best way' Leanne Shapton
'Wry, humorous, poignant' Spectator
Frequently Asked Questions
What is One Woman Show about?
MARIE CLAIRE BEST BOOKS OF 2023
‘Thrilling…the experimental format carries an enjoyable tale impressively’ Times Literary Supplement
‘Spry, compulsive, unexpectedly profound’ Observer
A novel like no other - remarkably told through museum wall labels - about a twentieth-century woman who transforms herself from a precious object into an unforgettable protagonist
Prized, collected, critiqued. One Woman Show revolves around the life of Kitty Whitaker as she is defined by her potential for display and moved from collection to collection through multiple marriages. Christine Coulson, who has written hundreds of exhibition wall labels for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, precisely distils each stage of Kitty's sprawling life into that distinct format, every brief snapshot in time a wry reflection on womanhood, ownership, value and power.
Described with wit, poignancy and humour over the course of the twentieth century, Kitty emerges as an eccentric heroine who disrupts her privileged, porcelain life with both major force and minor transgressions. As human foibles propel each delicately crafted text, Coulson playfully asks: who really gets to tell our stories?
'Heartbreaking and funny . . . truly masterful and patient and insane, in the best way' Leanne Shapton
'Wry, humorous, poignant' Spectator
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in One Woman Show?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general
Where can I read a sample of One Woman Show?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241659908
Who is/are the Author/s of the book One Woman Show?
Christine Coulson
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
One Woman Show is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241659908) and paperback(ISBN 9781802067262) and ebook(ISBN 9781802064070)
Where can I buy One Woman Show online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy One Woman Show from below
Where can I buy One Woman Show?