You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
I enjoyed Jennifer Wright's compelling, well-researched biography of the notorious -- and misunderstood -- 19th century abortionist Madame Restell. Wright skilfully blends historical context with fast-paced, yet richly detailed biography. Primary sources such as the contemporary New York Sun and Herald newspapers make it clear that early and mid-19th century newspapers set precedents for internet-era misinformation, exaggeration, and caustically worded commentary about women that dared to live as public figures. The ire was sharpened by Restell's business success.
Once a British immigrant, as Anne later became Madame Restell she made use of American notions of class, exoticism, and respectability (though Restell was no churchgoer, she kept a large Bible in the parlor of her headquarters because women seeking abortions could find ease in its pages while waiting). Madame Restell had a loyal husband, a strong personal network, and unflappable poise. Newspaper accounts often took on an outraged tone as they described how she appeared tastefully dressed at court dates. Not even a jail term at the notorious Blackwell Island could crack her sangfroid; Restell's growing wealth and political connections meant that she was the only prisoner receiving regular visits from her husband and deliveries of fresh peaches to her well-furnished cell.
The period leading up to the Gilded Age was full of eccentric, opinionated public figures; Wright includes several that are relevant to the intense public discussions of abortion and women’s identity as sexual or legal beings. When Restell’s fortune falters, she is shaken, but remains true to herself. Wright’s excellent book brings life to a complex historical figure. Heroine, villanness, or both by turns? Plunge into this absorbing work and decide for yourself.
As a Reference Librarian, I recommend Madame Restell to readers interested in popular history; undergraduate faculty in search of engaging reading assignments; people interested in the history of women’s reproductive rights, social sciences; and fiction readers seeking grounded context for the historical fiction they are reading. In recent years, some authors of romance genre fiction have written novels set during New York’s Gilded Age; the wonderful romance author, Joanna Shupe has published a vivid, well-researched, and enjoyable series, so I recommend Madame Restell to Shupe readers. I also recommend this book to fans of the also marvelous Maya Rodale.
Once a British immigrant, as Anne later became Madame Restell she made use of American notions of class, exoticism, and respectability (though Restell was no churchgoer, she kept a large Bible in the parlor of her headquarters because women seeking abortions could find ease in its pages while waiting). Madame Restell had a loyal husband, a strong personal network, and unflappable poise. Newspaper accounts often took on an outraged tone as they described how she appeared tastefully dressed at court dates. Not even a jail term at the notorious Blackwell Island could crack her sangfroid; Restell's growing wealth and political connections meant that she was the only prisoner receiving regular visits from her husband and deliveries of fresh peaches to her well-furnished cell.
The period leading up to the Gilded Age was full of eccentric, opinionated public figures; Wright includes several that are relevant to the intense public discussions of abortion and women’s identity as sexual or legal beings. When Restell’s fortune falters, she is shaken, but remains true to herself. Wright’s excellent book brings life to a complex historical figure. Heroine, villanness, or both by turns? Plunge into this absorbing work and decide for yourself.
As a Reference Librarian, I recommend Madame Restell to readers interested in popular history; undergraduate faculty in search of engaging reading assignments; people interested in the history of women’s reproductive rights, social sciences; and fiction readers seeking grounded context for the historical fiction they are reading. In recent years, some authors of romance genre fiction have written novels set during New York’s Gilded Age; the wonderful romance author, Joanna Shupe has published a vivid, well-researched, and enjoyable series, so I recommend Madame Restell to Shupe readers. I also recommend this book to fans of the also marvelous Maya Rodale.
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Abortion
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Abandonment
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, Grief, Gaslighting
This is a great book! Non fiction can be a struggle to read thru quickly but the authors writing was so engaging - biographical info, quotes from historical documents, setting the stage in through time, connecting to current events. Madame Restell is such a fascinating person and it’s a shame I’ve never heard of her before (despite living in NYC and working in the sexual health field). Would definitely recommend this book to my colleagues and am going to explore the authors other books.
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
slow-paced
Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Books for sending this book for review consideration! All opinions are my own.
"When the Catholic Church spoke out against her, she outbid the archbishop of New York for the land he wanted to build his house on. There, she built a mansion, and from it she doled out birth control to her many patients. She did not ask for any man's opinion, for she was not interested in hearing it." (A quote which made me laugh out loud.)
I was interested in this book because I had never heard of Madame Restell. As soon as I started reading about her and the towering figure she was during her time, I was even more shocked I hadn't heard of her, since she clearly had a significant impact on the women of New York during the 1800s. However, I also sort of understand why I haven't. Because of the controversial nature of her profession, I am sure history has tried to tuck her away in a closet somewhere because her story is so uncomfortable to talk about. As abortion becomes an increasingly hot topic, especially here in the U.S., I am so glad this book exists to bring her back to folks' attention. Many of the quotes in the book are relevant to us today and support the argument that the freedom to choose should be available to all.
Madame Restell was certainly a polarizing figure in her time because of what she did and how she did it. While these things lead me to believe she was a badass, I also think I'd be totally intimidated by her. I might not even like her very much if I met her today because it seems like she could be a stone cold b*tch...but I sure would respect her.
She was an unapologetically wealthy woman, making money for herself without the assistance or approval of men. Her services were controversial and illegal. What made her scarier was that she not only persisted in providing them, she made a lot of money. She also was not always "good." She played dirty with her competition and, far worse, possibly gave away a patient's baby. At times, she seems awesome. At times, she seems ruthless. Most likely she was both at the same time.
But, you know what? I think I actually like this honesty. Remember when we were kids and we were taught that the Founding Fathers were cool dudes who believed in liberty and justice and made America happen? Then we grew up and realized they didn't want women to have the vote, owned slaves, and had secret families and stuff? I think Madame Restell is far cooler than most of those old white guys, but she's still an imperfect human, and I think it's easier to like her knowing what her flaws are than if we brushed them under the rug.
One thing I like about this book is that it takes an old story and tells it in a modern way. For example, in the first couple pages, the author shares a dialogue:
"Where am I to go?" she inquired.
"Before the judge!" Comstock said.
"With these men?" Her eyes said: hell no.
I love a good "hell no." There are also some modern references and other more conversational turns of phrase throughout the book, which help keep a very hefty biography from becoming too sluggish.
This book is quite long. I couldn't say how many pages since I am reading a Kindle copy, but I had been reading this book for several days and found I was still only 30% of the way in and that my Kindle estimated 6-7 hours left. It can be challenging to keep the necessary momentum at times here, because this is not a linear story and often spends many chapters discussing the impact and public perception of Madame Restell, to the point where it can become somewhat tedious. This criticism may say more about my currently short attention span than the book, though! Luckily, every time I started to get bored, the topic finally changed, and a new event in Madame's life would be told, and recapture my interest.
Additional bonus - one has to love hearing what 1800s men thought about women, their sexuality, and their parts. It's comedic gold.
The book concludes with a reflection on the modern day, particularly the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade and what it means for women in 2022. The author shared her personal experience with giving birth, which I thought was a vulnerable and lovely way to bring a historical book back to the present. By the time I finished the book, I felt it had had a significant impact on me and brought the story of a woman from long ago full circle to my modern circumstances.
This book provides a fascinating education on a woman not enough of us know about. Madame Restell is a complicated, courageous, ruthless, badass woman. She can teach all of us something about reproductive freedom and, most importantly, a woman's right to do whatever the f*k she wants.
"When the Catholic Church spoke out against her, she outbid the archbishop of New York for the land he wanted to build his house on. There, she built a mansion, and from it she doled out birth control to her many patients. She did not ask for any man's opinion, for she was not interested in hearing it." (A quote which made me laugh out loud.)
I was interested in this book because I had never heard of Madame Restell. As soon as I started reading about her and the towering figure she was during her time, I was even more shocked I hadn't heard of her, since she clearly had a significant impact on the women of New York during the 1800s. However, I also sort of understand why I haven't. Because of the controversial nature of her profession, I am sure history has tried to tuck her away in a closet somewhere because her story is so uncomfortable to talk about. As abortion becomes an increasingly hot topic, especially here in the U.S., I am so glad this book exists to bring her back to folks' attention. Many of the quotes in the book are relevant to us today and support the argument that the freedom to choose should be available to all.
Madame Restell was certainly a polarizing figure in her time because of what she did and how she did it. While these things lead me to believe she was a badass, I also think I'd be totally intimidated by her. I might not even like her very much if I met her today because it seems like she could be a stone cold b*tch...but I sure would respect her.
She was an unapologetically wealthy woman, making money for herself without the assistance or approval of men. Her services were controversial and illegal. What made her scarier was that she not only persisted in providing them, she made a lot of money. She also was not always "good." She played dirty with her competition and, far worse, possibly gave away a patient's baby. At times, she seems awesome. At times, she seems ruthless. Most likely she was both at the same time.
But, you know what? I think I actually like this honesty. Remember when we were kids and we were taught that the Founding Fathers were cool dudes who believed in liberty and justice and made America happen? Then we grew up and realized they didn't want women to have the vote, owned slaves, and had secret families and stuff? I think Madame Restell is far cooler than most of those old white guys, but she's still an imperfect human, and I think it's easier to like her knowing what her flaws are than if we brushed them under the rug.
One thing I like about this book is that it takes an old story and tells it in a modern way. For example, in the first couple pages, the author shares a dialogue:
"Where am I to go?" she inquired.
"Before the judge!" Comstock said.
"With these men?" Her eyes said: hell no.
I love a good "hell no." There are also some modern references and other more conversational turns of phrase throughout the book, which help keep a very hefty biography from becoming too sluggish.
This book is quite long. I couldn't say how many pages since I am reading a Kindle copy, but I had been reading this book for several days and found I was still only 30% of the way in and that my Kindle estimated 6-7 hours left. It can be challenging to keep the necessary momentum at times here, because this is not a linear story and often spends many chapters discussing the impact and public perception of Madame Restell, to the point where it can become somewhat tedious. This criticism may say more about my currently short attention span than the book, though! Luckily, every time I started to get bored, the topic finally changed, and a new event in Madame's life would be told, and recapture my interest.
Additional bonus - one has to love hearing what 1800s men thought about women, their sexuality, and their parts. It's comedic gold.
The book concludes with a reflection on the modern day, particularly the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade and what it means for women in 2022. The author shared her personal experience with giving birth, which I thought was a vulnerable and lovely way to bring a historical book back to the present. By the time I finished the book, I felt it had had a significant impact on me and brought the story of a woman from long ago full circle to my modern circumstances.
This book provides a fascinating education on a woman not enough of us know about. Madame Restell is a complicated, courageous, ruthless, badass woman. She can teach all of us something about reproductive freedom and, most importantly, a woman's right to do whatever the f*k she wants.
Demand for abortion and birth control have always existed and always will, no matter what draconian policies US Republicans attempt to force upon people. Madame Restell was a fascinating read, would highly recommend.
This book was so interesting! I knew nothing about Madame Restell before reading this, and I think this was super informative and an important read (especially in these times).
informative
slow-paced
Interesting read -- historical but written in an accessible way. 1840s to 1870s, with a timely overlap with The Gilded Age figures (Lady Fish, Mr. McAllister, and Lady Astor), plus wealthy Americans marrying dukes (Buccaneers). I liked learning about how perceptions for sex outside of marriage and abortion seemed to change by the decade. The early suffragists didn't take up abortion as an issue Men, as early as 1860s, discussed that women's 'duty' was to bear children. Additionally, men of the AMA intentionally sought to put midwifes and women physicians out of business! The author wove in other historical influences (that still persist today), including anti-immigrant sentiment in the 1850s led by a secretive political party. In terms of stats, the fact that it was estimated in the late 1850s that 1 in 5 pregnancies ended in abortion.