Jacqueline Harpman’s 1995 dystopian novel, ‘I Who Have Never Known Men,’ achieved unexpected, posthumous viral success on TikTok’s BookTok in early 2025, becoming a significant literary and cultural story.
This resurgence followed a 2022 re-release of the novel and led to notable sales figures. The book sold 100,000 copies in the U.S. in 2024, followed by 275,000 in 2025, signaling its newfound popularity.
The book is often compared to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and has been described as a ‘Gen Z Handmaid’s Tale.’ It resonates with contemporary discussions about female experience, identity, isolation, and survival, particularly concerning ‘toxic masculinity.’ Collector’s editions of the novel have been released, featuring introductions by authors such as Carmen Maria Machado and Sophie Mackintosh.
The newfound popularity of ‘I Who Have Never Known Men’ has spurred a renewed interest in Harpman’s other works. This includes the reprinting of her 1996 Prix Médicis-winning novel, ‘Orlanda,’ by Seven Stories Press. A new collection of three novellas, ‘We Were Forbidden,’ translated by Ros Schwartz, was released by Transit Books in July 2026. Ros Schwartz is also the English translator responsible for the revised 2022 translation of ‘I Who Have Never Known Men.’
Jacqueline Harpman (1929-2012) was a Belgian author and psychoanalyst who wrote over 15 novels. Her personal history includes fleeing Belgium with her Jewish family to Casablanca, Morocco, during WWII, where they experienced institutional antisemitism. Looking ahead, the UK Penguin Random House imprint Vintage is exploring further translations of Harpman’s novels in anticipation of her birth centenary in 2029.