57 pages • 1 hour read
Hallie RubenholdThe Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Five by Hallie Rubenhold focuses on the lives of five women, often overshadowed by their association with Jack the Ripper. The book humanizes Mary Ann "Polly" Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly, highlighting their personal stories, backgrounds, and the societal challenges they faced in Victorian London.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Hallie Rubenhold’s The Five has been praised for its meticulous research and compassionate portrayal of Jack the Ripper's victims, bringing their stories and the socio-economic struggles of Victorian women to light. However, some readers found its focus on social history over true crime disappointing. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and empathetic work that reclaims the victims' identities.
Who Should Read The Five?
Readers fascinated by social history and women's stories will enjoy The Five by Hallie Rubenhold. This book is ideal for those who appreciated The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot or Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, as it meticulously reconstructs the lives of Jack the Ripper's victims, emphasizing their humanity over their deaths.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Crime / Legal
History: European
Gender / Feminism
Identity: Femininity
Life/Time: The Past
Society: Class