Women Talking is a novel based on true events that took place in a Mennonite community in Bolivia. The story revolves around women who have been drugged and sexually assaulted by men in their community. The attacks have been going on for years, but the women have been silenced by the male elders of the community, who convinced them that the assaults were a punishment from God for their sins.
The novel takes place over the course of two days, during which the women gather secretly in a hayloft to discuss what to do next. The women are illiterate, so they appoint August Epp, a man excommunicated from the community, to record their discussions. August is the only man present, and his role is limited to that of a scribe.
The women's discussions are wide-ranging and touch on themes of faith, power, patriarchy, forgiveness, and justice. They consider various options, from doing nothing to seeking revenge, but ultimately decide to leave their community and start anew elsewhere. They realize they can no longer stay in a community that does not value their safety and well-being.
Ultimately, the women decide to leave their community and start anew elsewhere. They gather their belongings and children and are ready to embark on their journey. Before they leave, however, they take one final step to assert their agency and confront the men who have violated them. They secretly gather in the hayloft once again and write a letter to the men, telling them they are leaving and will no longer be silent. They vow to tell the world what has happened to them and to seek justice. The women then leave the community and begin their journey to a new life, accompanied by August, who has chosen to leave with them. The novel ends with the women's defiant message to the men, signaling a new beginning in their lives.
