Anthea Ingham, a Rhayader-based author, has released her latest work, The Web of Spinsterhood: Single Women in Fiction (and How They Can Help Us Now), a thought-provoking exploration of single women in literature. Ingham’s new book investigates how these often-overlooked characters—from classic novels by Jane Austen to contemporary works by Kazuo Ishiguro—offer important insights into modern society.
The book categorizes these literary figures into distinct archetypes, including spectral, sinister, suppressive, scholarly, saintly, and sleuthing. Ingham examines their connections to mythological figures, fate, and symbolism, with references to goddesses, spinning wheels, and even spiders, revealing the complex roles these women play in the narratives they inhabit.
This marks Ingham’s first foray into non-fiction, having previously authored novels such as Sebastian’s Tangibles, Digby Sherwood, and Dear Absent Friends. Through The Web of Spinsterhood, she aims to highlight the challenges and societal expectations faced by single women, offering readers lessons that resonate in today’s world. Ingham argues that these literary women, often dismissed as historical relics, provide valuable reflections on the human experience and remain relevant in contemporary discussions of identity and independence.
Although originally from outside Wales, Ingham’s connection to the region grew after hearing stories from her parents about their wartime evacuation to Llanwrtyd. She moved to Rhayader 12 years ago and has since found inspiration in the town’s serene landscapes and supportive community.
The Web of Spinsterhood is available for purchase on Amazon and at Verzon Galleries, with discounted copies offered at Rhayader Post Office. Ingham’s latest work invites readers to reconsider the roles and lives of single women in literature and to recognize the enduring power of these characters.
