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colorcrystals's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Death, Death of parent, Classism, Murder, Misogyny, and Body horror
kaiciemesser's review
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Violence
phoebemurtagh's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
4.25
An un- sensationalized account mostly focusing on the legal case around Lizzie Borden. I appreciated it's lack of melodrama and that it didn't try to push a theory, or even decide whether Miss Borden was the murderer. It comments extensively on the social factors of the press and contemporary opinions about the case, pointing out how Victorian upper class society struggled to imagine how one of its own - especially a woman - could be capable or even be accused of such a grisly crime, and how educated men and women tied themselves in knots trying not to admit to the country or themselves that there was the possibility that a daughter, sister, and friend like those in their own families could plausibly be just as capable of a brutal murder (of people uncomfortably similar to themselves) as any man. Be prepared for a lot of Victorian court statements.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Xenophobia, Medical content, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Murder and Violence
Minor: Incest and Sexual assault
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
"Lizzie Borden took an axe
and gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done
She gave her father forty one."
So says the children's playground rhyme I first heard in a drama class when I was around 15 years old. I can't remember what script it was a part of, or what we were doing with it, but I've never forgotten that rhyme. But nor have I ever done more to find out exactly what Lizzie's story was all about. Until I found this book in a charity shop not so long ago.
Upon reading the blurb, I was expecting this to be a 'fresh take', with the author explaining the murder itself, the trial that followed, and then using modern eyes to reexamine the evidence and draw her own conclusion. However, while this is not the case - the book purely sets the scene and follows the events as they happen, with no revisionist input - for someone wholly unfamiliar with the story I actually found the complete objectivity of it very helpful, as I don't feel like my views have been overly biased by the author's conclusions. It seems that primary sources have been used to great effect to give a clear understanding of the murders themselves and the subsequent scope and flow of the trial, and the arguments of prosecution and defence are stated pretty evenly.
What I also like is that Lizzie herself is not painted as either a femme fatale or a naive innocent, which would have skewed the narrative. It seems that no-one, then or now, quite knew what to make of this middle class, average looking lady of leisure, who may or may not have committed a heinous crime. She certainly doesn't come across to me as a likeable person, but nor does she seem to fit any of the stereotypical boxes you'd expect.
Talking of stereotypes, the author has turned this into a little bit of a commentary on the development of feminism through the repeated references to the fact that women in those days were considered prone to 'hysteria' and that it was almost impossible for people to countenance that a woman could commit such a grave crime. It's also noted that Lizzie's being on her period (her "monthly illness") when the murders were committed formed a fairly significant part of the original enquiry. None of this is overplayed by the author, but it's a constant undertone of the case that really grates on 21st century sensibilities. An all-male judiciary, legal team and jury, who can only stand to talk about menstruation in euphemisms for a couple of sentences before clearing their throat and moving swiftly on...
I also find it quite telling at the repeated uses of quotes from news sources at the beginning of each trial day's coverage that the crowds waiting for seats in the public gallery get larger, and are comprised by a majority of women from all social classes (categorised by what their dresses are made of!); again, there's the subtle undertone that the journalists of the day disapprove of women being this interested and that it's proving their preconceptions that women are hysterical busybodies.
While I did find the book easy to read and very interesting, I would say that it felt a little dry - it sets the scene well, but it doesn't bring it vividly to life. It feels like more of an interest scholarly exercise (which I gather from the acknowledgements and references it was) rather than a passion project.
I'm also a little perturbed by the fact that the author has included images not just of the scene of the crime (which is fine), but actually of the victims in the positions in which they were found. They're not close-ups, so they're not overly graphic, but it just doesn't sit well with me. I mean, I am totally squeamish about these things anyway so I could never appreciate it, but even if that weren't the case, it would still bother me. They're victims and, no matter how long ago the act took place, I feel like they deserve more respect than that. For clarity, this isn't directed specifically at this author - it's a general bugbear I have.
Do did she do it? Short answer; no idea! It's a fascinating case where nothing quite adds up and there's no clear cut answer. I'd love to read a follow up where the author does give her own views! With my lawyer's hat on, if I were a member of the jury I'd probably have agreed with their verdict as I don't think anything was proved "beyond a reasonable doubt", but on the other hand this case does seem to subscribe to the adage "When you eliminate the impossible, whatever is left, however improbable, must be the truth".
A childhood memory fleshed out and filled in. Definitely worthwhile reading.
and gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done
She gave her father forty one."
So says the children's playground rhyme I first heard in a drama class when I was around 15 years old. I can't remember what script it was a part of, or what we were doing with it, but I've never forgotten that rhyme. But nor have I ever done more to find out exactly what Lizzie's story was all about. Until I found this book in a charity shop not so long ago.
Upon reading the blurb, I was expecting this to be a 'fresh take', with the author explaining the murder itself, the trial that followed, and then using modern eyes to reexamine the evidence and draw her own conclusion. However, while this is not the case - the book purely sets the scene and follows the events as they happen, with no revisionist input - for someone wholly unfamiliar with the story I actually found the complete objectivity of it very helpful, as I don't feel like my views have been overly biased by the author's conclusions. It seems that primary sources have been used to great effect to give a clear understanding of the murders themselves and the subsequent scope and flow of the trial, and the arguments of prosecution and defence are stated pretty evenly.
What I also like is that Lizzie herself is not painted as either a femme fatale or a naive innocent, which would have skewed the narrative. It seems that no-one, then or now, quite knew what to make of this middle class, average looking lady of leisure, who may or may not have committed a heinous crime. She certainly doesn't come across to me as a likeable person, but nor does she seem to fit any of the stereotypical boxes you'd expect.
Talking of stereotypes, the author has turned this into a little bit of a commentary on the development of feminism through the repeated references to the fact that women in those days were considered prone to 'hysteria' and that it was almost impossible for people to countenance that a woman could commit such a grave crime. It's also noted that Lizzie's being on her period (her "monthly illness") when the murders were committed formed a fairly significant part of the original enquiry. None of this is overplayed by the author, but it's a constant undertone of the case that really grates on 21st century sensibilities. An all-male judiciary, legal team and jury, who can only stand to talk about menstruation in euphemisms for a couple of sentences before clearing their throat and moving swiftly on...
I also find it quite telling at the repeated uses of quotes from news sources at the beginning of each trial day's coverage that the crowds waiting for seats in the public gallery get larger, and are comprised by a majority of women from all social classes (categorised by what their dresses are made of!); again, there's the subtle undertone that the journalists of the day disapprove of women being this interested and that it's proving their preconceptions that women are hysterical busybodies.
While I did find the book easy to read and very interesting, I would say that it felt a little dry - it sets the scene well, but it doesn't bring it vividly to life. It feels like more of an interest scholarly exercise (which I gather from the acknowledgements and references it was) rather than a passion project.
I'm also a little perturbed by the fact that the author has included images not just of the scene of the crime (which is fine), but actually of the victims in the positions in which they were found. They're not close-ups, so they're not overly graphic, but it just doesn't sit well with me. I mean, I am totally squeamish about these things anyway so I could never appreciate it, but even if that weren't the case, it would still bother me. They're victims and, no matter how long ago the act took place, I feel like they deserve more respect than that. For clarity, this isn't directed specifically at this author - it's a general bugbear I have.
Do did she do it? Short answer; no idea! It's a fascinating case where nothing quite adds up and there's no clear cut answer. I'd love to read a follow up where the author does give her own views! With my lawyer's hat on, if I were a member of the jury I'd probably have agreed with their verdict as I don't think anything was proved "beyond a reasonable doubt", but on the other hand this case does seem to subscribe to the adage "When you eliminate the impossible, whatever is left, however improbable, must be the truth".
A childhood memory fleshed out and filled in. Definitely worthwhile reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, Death, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Vomit
melanie_reads's review
dark
informative
slow-paced
3.25
If you're looking for a salacious page-turner about the legend of Lizzie Borden, this book isn't it. But if you're looking for the facts of the case and want a better understanding of the legal and societal milieu in which it took place, then this is an excellent read.
What I found most interesting was the view of women, especially those of her upper class status, she couldn't possibly have committed a murder! Oh and she had her period, that's why her initial testimony was somewhat suss .... she couldn't possibly think straight during her monthly time!!!!
And of course the book begs the question, if Lizzie didn't commit the crime, then who did? I guess the answers are lost to time.
What I found most interesting was the view of women, especially those of her upper class status, she couldn't possibly have committed a murder! Oh and she had her period, that's why her initial testimony was somewhat suss .... she couldn't possibly think straight during her monthly time!!!!
And of course the book begs the question, if Lizzie didn't commit the crime, then who did? I guess the answers are lost to time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
abby_can_read's review
informative
slow-paced
2.0
🎧
I found it to be too slow. This book mainly centers on the trials. I found this book to be well researched and very informative.
I found it to be too slow. This book mainly centers on the trials. I found this book to be well researched and very informative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Murder
mar's review against another edition
4.0
a very thorough account, good at firmly establishing the borden murders & lizzie borden's trial within their social, cultural & historical context. the writing's somewhat dry, but the topic itself is absolutely fascinating - the murder is essentially a real-life locked room mystery, and the trial is eventful enough it straight up feels like a courtroom drama
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Blood, Gore, and Medical content
Minor: Animal cruelty
anubet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Extremely detailed account of the trial with a focus on reporters covering the trial.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Gore, Medical content, Murder, and Violence
ktrecs's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Medical content, and Murder
Minor: Blood, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Racism
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