The Book of Revelations: Women and Their Secrets From the 1950s to the Present Day

Brought to you by Penguin.

'I was riveted by every single page' ELIZABETH DAY * 'Dazzling and surprising' CLOVER STROUD * 'I loved this book' JULIA SAMUEL * 'Timely and important' JEANETTE WINTERSON

A beautifully written blend of memoir, first-person stories and social history that uncovers the most enigmatic yet revealing aspect of human behaviour: secrecy

The average person is keeping thirteen secrets at any one time, five of which they’ve never shared with a soul. Secrets can thrill, but they are just as likely to torment; and the deepest ones echo far down the generations. They are private, but they also tell us a great deal about our world.

The Book of Revelations explores the changing nature of the secrets held by three generations of women. It unlocks a period of significant transformation, from the restrictions just after the Second World War, through the emancipation of the 1960s and 1970s, to the opportunities and dangers women meet online today.

As we travel through time, we encounter deeply moving first-person stories, rich social history and Juliet Nicolson’s own experiences of secrecy. We witness long-buried family secrets shared at last, their keepers set free. Finally, we are forced to wonder whether, after a steady upwards curve, women are once again in danger of being curtailed by censure, caution and fear. But could learning from the secrets of the past help protect our future?

© Juliet Nicolson 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025