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Madame Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York's Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist
“This is the story of one of the boldest women in American history: a self-made millionaire, a celebrity in her era, a woman beloved by her patients and despised by the men who wanted to control them.”
In Madame Restell, readers are instantly transported to the glamorous mansions and bejeweled carriages of pre-Gilded Age New York, where they meet our eponymous heroine: the city’s premiere abortionist. An industrious woman who built her business from the ground up, Restell was a self-taught surgeon on the cutting edge of healthcare, and her bustling “boarding house” provided birth control, abortions, and medical assistance to thousands of women—rich and poor alike. As her practice expanded, her notoriety swelled, and Restell established herself as a prime target for tabloids, threats, and lawsuits galore. But far from fading into the background, she flaunted her wealth defiantly, parading across the city in designer duds and expensive jewelry, rubbing her success in the faces of the many politicians, publishers, religious zealots, and male competitors determined to bring her down.
Unfortunately for Madame Restell, her rise to the top of her field coincided with “the greatest scam you’ve never heard about”: the campaign to curtail women’s power by restricting their access to healthcare. For centuries, midwives and female practitioners, like Restell, had tended to public healthcare needs of both men and women. But after the birth of the medical clinic, newly-minted male MDs were eager to edge out their feminine competition—by forcing women back into the home and turning medicine into a standardized, male-only practice. At the same time, a group of powerful, secular men—threatened by women’s burgeoning independence in other fields—persuaded the Christian leadership to declare abortion a sin, rewriting the meaning of “Christian morality” to protect their own interests. By unraveling the misogynistic and misleading lies that put women’s health in jeopardy, Wright simultaneously restores Restell to her rightful place in history and obliterates the faulty, fractured reasoning underlying the very foundation of what has since been dubbed the “pro-life” movement.
Thought-provoking, character-driven, boldly written, and feminist as hell, Madame Restell is required reading for anyone and everyone who believes that when it comes to women’s rights, women’s bodies, and women’s history, women should have the last word.
In Madame Restell, readers are instantly transported to the glamorous mansions and bejeweled carriages of pre-Gilded Age New York, where they meet our eponymous heroine: the city’s premiere abortionist. An industrious woman who built her business from the ground up, Restell was a self-taught surgeon on the cutting edge of healthcare, and her bustling “boarding house” provided birth control, abortions, and medical assistance to thousands of women—rich and poor alike. As her practice expanded, her notoriety swelled, and Restell established herself as a prime target for tabloids, threats, and lawsuits galore. But far from fading into the background, she flaunted her wealth defiantly, parading across the city in designer duds and expensive jewelry, rubbing her success in the faces of the many politicians, publishers, religious zealots, and male competitors determined to bring her down.
Unfortunately for Madame Restell, her rise to the top of her field coincided with “the greatest scam you’ve never heard about”: the campaign to curtail women’s power by restricting their access to healthcare. For centuries, midwives and female practitioners, like Restell, had tended to public healthcare needs of both men and women. But after the birth of the medical clinic, newly-minted male MDs were eager to edge out their feminine competition—by forcing women back into the home and turning medicine into a standardized, male-only practice. At the same time, a group of powerful, secular men—threatened by women’s burgeoning independence in other fields—persuaded the Christian leadership to declare abortion a sin, rewriting the meaning of “Christian morality” to protect their own interests. By unraveling the misogynistic and misleading lies that put women’s health in jeopardy, Wright simultaneously restores Restell to her rightful place in history and obliterates the faulty, fractured reasoning underlying the very foundation of what has since been dubbed the “pro-life” movement.
Thought-provoking, character-driven, boldly written, and feminist as hell, Madame Restell is required reading for anyone and everyone who believes that when it comes to women’s rights, women’s bodies, and women’s history, women should have the last word.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published February 28, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 506 reviews
June 17, 2023
An author probably isn't supposed to have favorite books, but, fuck it, out of the ones I've written, this one is my favorite. I'm so happy for the years I got to spend learning about this brilliant, funny, infuriating, and indomitable woman. I'm really going to miss yelling "Ann, WHY!?" at her more outlandish decisions, or "Ann, YES!!" at her better ones. But now, it's your turn to do that.
January 6, 2023
Thorough research always impresses me. High production standards impress me. Ms. Wright has provided both of these in her book about Madame Restell and her controversial abortion practice in New York City in the late 1800's. Whether you are for or against abortion, or are questioning, this book provides a look at its history in this country and how historical attitudes changed over time. For me, this was an educational experience and I hope others will be motivated to read this book. I'm still intrigued about the issues surrounding the last days of Madame Restell. This book will be released on February 28, 2023.
My thanks to the author, Jennifer Wright, and the publisher, Hachette Books, for my Advanced Reading Copy of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway
My thanks to the author, Jennifer Wright, and the publisher, Hachette Books, for my Advanced Reading Copy of this book. #Goodreads Giveaway
January 23, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Books for an egalley.
A timely nonfiction read about a 19th century woman who was controversial during her lifetime but has faded into obscurity. Jennifer Wright's well researched and very detailed book transports readers back to "Old New York" where a successful abortionist( some would argue notorious)raises the ire of the population including a politician who wanted to see her imprisoned forever.
The life of Ann Trow Sommers(Madame Restell) was quite interesting. I went into the book not knowing a thing about the woman or her craft during this period of history. I also came to understand that given the context of their lives as deemed by their current society, many women would turn on Madame Restell and offer her up to the authorities, time and time again.
Expected Publication. 28/02/23
Goodreads Review. 22/01/23
A timely nonfiction read about a 19th century woman who was controversial during her lifetime but has faded into obscurity. Jennifer Wright's well researched and very detailed book transports readers back to "Old New York" where a successful abortionist( some would argue notorious)raises the ire of the population including a politician who wanted to see her imprisoned forever.
The life of Ann Trow Sommers(Madame Restell) was quite interesting. I went into the book not knowing a thing about the woman or her craft during this period of history. I also came to understand that given the context of their lives as deemed by their current society, many women would turn on Madame Restell and offer her up to the authorities, time and time again.
Expected Publication. 28/02/23
Goodreads Review. 22/01/23
March 11, 2023
This book could not be more timely given the fact that a woman’s right to choose what happens to her own body is being stripped away in this the 21st century harkening back to the dark ages.
“The only thing more unnatural than a woman not wanting to be a mother was a woman wanting to be paid for doing her job.” (Pg.61). Seems nothing much has changed for women since the 1800’s.
Madame Restell’s story deserves to be told. British born Ann Trow arrived in America as an immigrant with husband and child. Finding life hard and determined to make her life better she concocted a new persona becoming the French Madame Restell and proceeded to offer her services to help unfortunate women in the family way.
Madame Restell was not an especially nice person but she was offering an essential service and she did so despite the laws of the land. She was arrested and jailed several times, but she was determined that she was doing the right thing for these women in need. Never mind that she was in every way a business woman and had every intention of becoming a wealthy one.
The writing is dense and top-heavy full of unnecessary information coming across like a history lesson of the time period and especially NYC of the 1800’s, but I waded through the book although at times with great difficulty. But it was worth the effort.
I especially recommend the author’s Epilogue.
“The only thing more unnatural than a woman not wanting to be a mother was a woman wanting to be paid for doing her job.” (Pg.61). Seems nothing much has changed for women since the 1800’s.
Madame Restell’s story deserves to be told. British born Ann Trow arrived in America as an immigrant with husband and child. Finding life hard and determined to make her life better she concocted a new persona becoming the French Madame Restell and proceeded to offer her services to help unfortunate women in the family way.
Madame Restell was not an especially nice person but she was offering an essential service and she did so despite the laws of the land. She was arrested and jailed several times, but she was determined that she was doing the right thing for these women in need. Never mind that she was in every way a business woman and had every intention of becoming a wealthy one.
The writing is dense and top-heavy full of unnecessary information coming across like a history lesson of the time period and especially NYC of the 1800’s, but I waded through the book although at times with great difficulty. But it was worth the effort.
I especially recommend the author’s Epilogue.
October 4, 2023
This is my 3rd Jennifer Wright book, and I just love her style. I love the topics that she finds interesting to write about and how thorough she is in researching and writing about them, and how honestly she portrays them, warts and all, and does so with wit and humor. Her books generally make me feel like we are friends, just having a chat about an interesting topic. Love it.
Madame Restell was no different. As a feminist who is firmly pro-choice, I was super excited about this book, and it did not disappoint. I found Madame Restell to be fascinating and intriguing and found myself wishing that I was half as brave and savvy as she was. Definitely not a saint, and she did some pretty morally and ethically reprehensible things, but she was a hero to the women whose lives she saved, and those who she "merely" gave freedom and some agency back to by helping them prevent or abort unwanted pregnancies.
I listened to the audio, which was read by the wonderful Mara Wilson, and at the end of the audiobook there is a short interview between them, which was excellent. Highly recommend both the book in general, and the audio specifically.
Madame Restell was no different. As a feminist who is firmly pro-choice, I was super excited about this book, and it did not disappoint. I found Madame Restell to be fascinating and intriguing and found myself wishing that I was half as brave and savvy as she was. Definitely not a saint, and she did some pretty morally and ethically reprehensible things, but she was a hero to the women whose lives she saved, and those who she "merely" gave freedom and some agency back to by helping them prevent or abort unwanted pregnancies.
I listened to the audio, which was read by the wonderful Mara Wilson, and at the end of the audiobook there is a short interview between them, which was excellent. Highly recommend both the book in general, and the audio specifically.
March 5, 2023
MADAME RESTALL: THE LIFE, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION OF OLD NEW YORK'S MOST FABULOUS, FEARLESS AND INFAMOUS ABORTIONIST
BY: JENNIFER WRIGHT
This history non-fiction book has never been more relevant to the United States of America, as it is now, therefore I believe it is one that really should be required reading by EVERYONE! Whether you are Pro-Choice or Pro-Life this is very informative and packs in a walloping dose of reality. Everything cited in this narrative is footnoted at the back of the book. There are a lot of statistics included in here, and I was overwhelmed at times by so many numbers, but having finished this, I am quite happy that, Jennifer Wright backs up her research and data, by the sources they are derived from. I am probably going to make a lot of enemies by personalizing my review, but I think the Author, Jennifer Wright, intends for everyone's personal stories, because she shares hers.
The book basically is about an English immigrant who migrated to New York City, during the 1800's to seek prosperity. However, she amassed her fortune selling her pills and powders and sometimes performing surgical abortions. Her name was Ann Trow Lohman who lived between the years of 1812-1878. Ann started out as a seamstress, before she became known as the Country's infamous Madame Restell, whose work provided woman with pills that she made to help women and men who came to her home, where she kept an office to help those who were seeking her help in ending unwanted pregnancies. She wasn't formerly trained as a physician, but out of the thousands of BOTH men and women who sought her services she might have only lost one patient. She may have given away one woman's child. Madame Restell, is not well known today, but back in the 19th century, she was very well known. She is lost to history, the Author provides many reasons why. I really loved this book and the vast amount of history it provides to illuminate how we as a nation are at where we are today regarding women not having the choice to terminate pregnancies even when a woman's life could be lost if she carries out the pregnancy. Instead, the government makes that choice. This book is very illuminating as to how and why we are where we are at this present time in, 2022. It is really an eye opener, and I was surprised at the end how it evoked such an emotional reaction out of me. I was left feeling very sad, but very grateful that I chose to read this timely history narrative that was so informative.
Ann trow changed her name after her first husband died, leaving her with her young daughter Caroline, where living where they did at the time, it was unsafe for a single woman, because of the part of the city where they lived there was a very high crime rate. When she started selling her pills to help both men and women who were involved, seeking her assistance with unwanted pregnancies, she helped women self abort during the early stages of pregnancies before the quickening. The quickening is when the baby first starts to move inside the mother. She changed her name to Madame Restell because she wanted to bolster her image that she was from France. Being from France, provided Madame Restell an edge, because at the time during the 1800's their healthcare was ahead of the U.S. She thought that it lent her a more experienced sophistication even though it was an outright lie. Abortions were being performed even though it was illegal, but this was also a time before the law was enforced with much consequence during the beginning and the middle era of Madame Restell's reigning years. This was to change towards the end of Madam Restell's lifetime.
When Madame Restell re-married to Charles Lohman, he helped her gain more business since he worked for a newspaper, and she placed advertisements for what she did in the newspapers. She had competitors that weren't as successful as herself that did the very same thing. This was a time before medical schools required dissection of human cadavers and before anesthesiologists were incorporated into surgeries. Believe it or not, there were many married women who sought out her and those like her to seek abortions. And pre-marital sex was common throughout the 1700's and during the 1800's. Madame Restell was bold, innovative, fearless and empathetic. She provided her help towards her customers' taking into consideration their ability to afford her help. She often ended up charging less to the poor. She had still managed to become a millionaire and outbid the Archbishop in obtaining the land where she built her mansion on Fifth avenue, that was to become her final home. She saw her customers' here as well. She was known to let some of her patients stay overnight where she stayed in the same room with them, caring for them if their health required close monitoring.
Later during the 1800's the tides turned and abortions became illegal with much fiercer penalties, but that didn't stop either people seeking abortions or those providing them. People just became more quiet about getting them and performing them, but they were still taking place, regardless.
Now our Country has overturned Roe V Wade, and even though it is up to each State on whether abortions are legal, I can see that there have been more and more States to make them illegal. This includes cases of rape and incest or even death for the mother. Here is where my review becomes more personal. I personally, have never had an abortion, but I believe when a woman's life is in danger, such as ectopic pregnancy, which is when the zygote gets stuck in the tubes, it results in the mother's death. I don't think that legislatures should hold the power over riding the decision for making medical determinations for women who will die if the pregnancy isn't terminated. Especially, in the case where a woman will die if not for medical intervention, and that is my opinion and I am entitled to it. That this book is filled with so much history--is the reason that everybody should read it. For those who disagree, you are also entitled to your opinion, and I respect that. So please respect mine.
Publication Date: February 28th, 2023
Thank you to Net Galley, Jennifer Wright and Hachette Books for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#MadameRestall #JenniferWright #HachetteBooks #NetGalley
BY: JENNIFER WRIGHT
This history non-fiction book has never been more relevant to the United States of America, as it is now, therefore I believe it is one that really should be required reading by EVERYONE! Whether you are Pro-Choice or Pro-Life this is very informative and packs in a walloping dose of reality. Everything cited in this narrative is footnoted at the back of the book. There are a lot of statistics included in here, and I was overwhelmed at times by so many numbers, but having finished this, I am quite happy that, Jennifer Wright backs up her research and data, by the sources they are derived from. I am probably going to make a lot of enemies by personalizing my review, but I think the Author, Jennifer Wright, intends for everyone's personal stories, because she shares hers.
The book basically is about an English immigrant who migrated to New York City, during the 1800's to seek prosperity. However, she amassed her fortune selling her pills and powders and sometimes performing surgical abortions. Her name was Ann Trow Lohman who lived between the years of 1812-1878. Ann started out as a seamstress, before she became known as the Country's infamous Madame Restell, whose work provided woman with pills that she made to help women and men who came to her home, where she kept an office to help those who were seeking her help in ending unwanted pregnancies. She wasn't formerly trained as a physician, but out of the thousands of BOTH men and women who sought her services she might have only lost one patient. She may have given away one woman's child. Madame Restell, is not well known today, but back in the 19th century, she was very well known. She is lost to history, the Author provides many reasons why. I really loved this book and the vast amount of history it provides to illuminate how we as a nation are at where we are today regarding women not having the choice to terminate pregnancies even when a woman's life could be lost if she carries out the pregnancy. Instead, the government makes that choice. This book is very illuminating as to how and why we are where we are at this present time in, 2022. It is really an eye opener, and I was surprised at the end how it evoked such an emotional reaction out of me. I was left feeling very sad, but very grateful that I chose to read this timely history narrative that was so informative.
Ann trow changed her name after her first husband died, leaving her with her young daughter Caroline, where living where they did at the time, it was unsafe for a single woman, because of the part of the city where they lived there was a very high crime rate. When she started selling her pills to help both men and women who were involved, seeking her assistance with unwanted pregnancies, she helped women self abort during the early stages of pregnancies before the quickening. The quickening is when the baby first starts to move inside the mother. She changed her name to Madame Restell because she wanted to bolster her image that she was from France. Being from France, provided Madame Restell an edge, because at the time during the 1800's their healthcare was ahead of the U.S. She thought that it lent her a more experienced sophistication even though it was an outright lie. Abortions were being performed even though it was illegal, but this was also a time before the law was enforced with much consequence during the beginning and the middle era of Madame Restell's reigning years. This was to change towards the end of Madam Restell's lifetime.
When Madame Restell re-married to Charles Lohman, he helped her gain more business since he worked for a newspaper, and she placed advertisements for what she did in the newspapers. She had competitors that weren't as successful as herself that did the very same thing. This was a time before medical schools required dissection of human cadavers and before anesthesiologists were incorporated into surgeries. Believe it or not, there were many married women who sought out her and those like her to seek abortions. And pre-marital sex was common throughout the 1700's and during the 1800's. Madame Restell was bold, innovative, fearless and empathetic. She provided her help towards her customers' taking into consideration their ability to afford her help. She often ended up charging less to the poor. She had still managed to become a millionaire and outbid the Archbishop in obtaining the land where she built her mansion on Fifth avenue, that was to become her final home. She saw her customers' here as well. She was known to let some of her patients stay overnight where she stayed in the same room with them, caring for them if their health required close monitoring.
Later during the 1800's the tides turned and abortions became illegal with much fiercer penalties, but that didn't stop either people seeking abortions or those providing them. People just became more quiet about getting them and performing them, but they were still taking place, regardless.
Now our Country has overturned Roe V Wade, and even though it is up to each State on whether abortions are legal, I can see that there have been more and more States to make them illegal. This includes cases of rape and incest or even death for the mother. Here is where my review becomes more personal. I personally, have never had an abortion, but I believe when a woman's life is in danger, such as ectopic pregnancy, which is when the zygote gets stuck in the tubes, it results in the mother's death. I don't think that legislatures should hold the power over riding the decision for making medical determinations for women who will die if the pregnancy isn't terminated. Especially, in the case where a woman will die if not for medical intervention, and that is my opinion and I am entitled to it. That this book is filled with so much history--is the reason that everybody should read it. For those who disagree, you are also entitled to your opinion, and I respect that. So please respect mine.
Publication Date: February 28th, 2023
Thank you to Net Galley, Jennifer Wright and Hachette Books for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#MadameRestall #JenniferWright #HachetteBooks #NetGalley
February 10, 2023
By this accounting, Madame Restell was “one of the boldest women in American history: a self-made millionaire, a celebrity in her era, a woman beloved by many of her patients and despised by the men who wanted to control them.” Her enemies, and there were many, were as upset about the idea of a “mere woman” accumulating wealth and courting celebrity as they were about her profession as an abortionist—maybe even more so.
Contrary to her adopted French persona, Madam Restell was born Ann Trow in Painswick England, 1811. She made her way in the world as a household servant and a seamstress before embarking on the career that would make her famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view). Never an activist or a sign-carrying suffragette, Restell was simply a smart and savvy businesswoman with a penchant for self promotion and a skill set for a much needed medical procedure. She was outspoken and defiant in the face of theocratic malfeasance and frequently locked horns with those who sought to subjugate women and abolish their right of self determination.
“…it remains easier to protect theoretical children—by forcing women to do something they do not wish to do at risk to their own health—than to protect actual children. The government can force a person to give birth, but its interest and responsibility ends there. It is a wonderful way for certain politicians to seem caring without actually having to do anything.” ~Jennifer Wright
Contrary to her adopted French persona, Madam Restell was born Ann Trow in Painswick England, 1811. She made her way in the world as a household servant and a seamstress before embarking on the career that would make her famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view). Never an activist or a sign-carrying suffragette, Restell was simply a smart and savvy businesswoman with a penchant for self promotion and a skill set for a much needed medical procedure. She was outspoken and defiant in the face of theocratic malfeasance and frequently locked horns with those who sought to subjugate women and abolish their right of self determination.
“…it remains easier to protect theoretical children—by forcing women to do something they do not wish to do at risk to their own health—than to protect actual children. The government can force a person to give birth, but its interest and responsibility ends there. It is a wonderful way for certain politicians to seem caring without actually having to do anything.” ~Jennifer Wright
March 8, 2023
I'm giving 3 stars for all the research I'm sure the author did to get this biography right. But the execution of her writing gets 2.5 stars. Learning about Madame Restell was interesting and I wasn't expecting the ending. This book was written more like an extended Wikipedia page that really seemed to drag on in parts. There were subplots that really had nothing to do with Restell, & came across as filler. Restell's story is an important one that women should know about, IMO; but I feel like it could have been a long article in The Atlantic and had more of an impact on readers.
April 5, 2023
Lots of good facts in here and I definitely enjoyed learning about Madame Restell, but the tone was overall a bit too girlboss/slay for me. I also wish she had stuck to her focus more narrowly instead of the broader asides about New York in the 1850s.
November 25, 2022
Forget everything you think you know about abortion. How common has it always been? How legal has it typically been? And why does the Catholic Church *actually* disapprove of it? The answer might be pettier (and a lot less pious) than you think.
Jennifer Wright’s latest book is also her first full length biography — of Madame Restell, the unapologetically talented and fabulous female abortionist who may very well have been America’s first self-made female millionaire. It’s the perfect kind of history book: an eminently podcastable story of an unsung icon that makes you furiously ask “why didn’t I know about her already?!”
But note the choice of “icon” over “hero,” as Restell’s rags-to-riches story might have more in common with Walter White than Susan B. Anthony. You won’t find an over-polished, Notorious RBG-style, tote bag-ready caricature in this book, but a deeply complex, highly driven businesswoman, inescapably famous in her own time, inexplicably all but forgotten in ours.
Restell was dedicated physician who never lost a patient, a jailhouse kingpin, a founding visionary of New York city planning as we know it, a criminal in ways you may disagree with, and a criminal in ways that cannot be argued against. Most importantly to the modern reader, she was a woman whose dazzling ascent to wealth and power was so offensive to petty, fearful men that our own freedoms are still being curtailed today due to the rippling effects of their attempts to destroy her. Spoiler: They probably didn’t succeed.
Jennifer tells the complete story of Restell here for the first time, with entertaining and crucial context that will light up the brains of any fans of Gangs of New York, The Power Broker or Citizen Kane. The shameful statistics behind the supposedly “abolitionist” New Yorkers of Lincoln’s day. Trains to nowhere, full of regular deposits of drunk children. Bat people on the moon! (You read that right). And at the center of it all, a woman who seemingly made history with her every bold (or baffling) move. Madame Restell was once one of the most famous women in the world. Jennifer Wright restores her to that wobbly pedestal, warts and wonders and all.
Note: I am married to Jennifer Wright, but this is an unbiased review due to the sheer enjoyability of the book she has produced. Please do not delete, Mr. Bezos.
Jennifer Wright’s latest book is also her first full length biography — of Madame Restell, the unapologetically talented and fabulous female abortionist who may very well have been America’s first self-made female millionaire. It’s the perfect kind of history book: an eminently podcastable story of an unsung icon that makes you furiously ask “why didn’t I know about her already?!”
But note the choice of “icon” over “hero,” as Restell’s rags-to-riches story might have more in common with Walter White than Susan B. Anthony. You won’t find an over-polished, Notorious RBG-style, tote bag-ready caricature in this book, but a deeply complex, highly driven businesswoman, inescapably famous in her own time, inexplicably all but forgotten in ours.
Restell was dedicated physician who never lost a patient, a jailhouse kingpin, a founding visionary of New York city planning as we know it, a criminal in ways you may disagree with, and a criminal in ways that cannot be argued against. Most importantly to the modern reader, she was a woman whose dazzling ascent to wealth and power was so offensive to petty, fearful men that our own freedoms are still being curtailed today due to the rippling effects of their attempts to destroy her. Spoiler: They probably didn’t succeed.
Jennifer tells the complete story of Restell here for the first time, with entertaining and crucial context that will light up the brains of any fans of Gangs of New York, The Power Broker or Citizen Kane. The shameful statistics behind the supposedly “abolitionist” New Yorkers of Lincoln’s day. Trains to nowhere, full of regular deposits of drunk children. Bat people on the moon! (You read that right). And at the center of it all, a woman who seemingly made history with her every bold (or baffling) move. Madame Restell was once one of the most famous women in the world. Jennifer Wright restores her to that wobbly pedestal, warts and wonders and all.
Note: I am married to Jennifer Wright, but this is an unbiased review due to the sheer enjoyability of the book she has produced. Please do not delete, Mr. Bezos.
September 1, 2022
Madame Restell by Jennifer Wright is a fabulous and interesting nonfiction and biography of a woman that was most certainly larger than life.
Madame Restell (Ann Trow Lohman who lived 1812 – 1878) was alive during the rough beginnings of women’s healthcare and rights in NY during the 19th century. She was a force to be dealt with. I had actually never heard if this British-born woman who immigrated to the States and through obstacles, uphill battles, oppositions, and true passion, conviction, determination, and perseverance, became a voice for many women and publicized the eternal debate of women’s access and availability to medical procedures (aka abortion).
Was she perfect? Nope. But she believed in what she worked for and seemed impossible to the exhausted attempts of others to thwart her at every turn. Controversial? Yep. Fascinating? Absolutely.
I learned a lot and was entertained while doing so. One doesn’t have to personally agree with her beliefs to find her very interesting.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Hachette Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 02/28/23.
Madame Restell (Ann Trow Lohman who lived 1812 – 1878) was alive during the rough beginnings of women’s healthcare and rights in NY during the 19th century. She was a force to be dealt with. I had actually never heard if this British-born woman who immigrated to the States and through obstacles, uphill battles, oppositions, and true passion, conviction, determination, and perseverance, became a voice for many women and publicized the eternal debate of women’s access and availability to medical procedures (aka abortion).
Was she perfect? Nope. But she believed in what she worked for and seemed impossible to the exhausted attempts of others to thwart her at every turn. Controversial? Yep. Fascinating? Absolutely.
I learned a lot and was entertained while doing so. One doesn’t have to personally agree with her beliefs to find her very interesting.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Hachette Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 02/28/23.
October 10, 2022
What a fascinating woman! This carefully researched book gives us great insight into Madame Restell’s life and times. I appreciated the contemporary, accessible tone in helping my understanding of how the past can impact today.
September 13, 2022
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.
December 29, 2022
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is truly incredible. It's a hard read, but it's such a necessary read, especially now. Wright not only tells the story of an incredible woman, but also pulls in a lot of the history that influenced Madame Restell's career over the years. The parallels in the swings from liberal to conservative morality over the nineteenth-century are scarily in-line with our current swings. The Know-Nothing party is frighteningly similar to current alt-right politicians and groups. The epilogue is a gut-punch of a plea for level-headedness and consideration in the aftermath of the overturn of Roe v Wade. Wright gets deeply personal in that epilogue to prove her point, which is both great support for her argument and incredibly brave of her. I had to put this down at times because it made me so angry that not a lot seems to have changed for women, but that's why this book is such a necessary read.
This book is truly incredible. It's a hard read, but it's such a necessary read, especially now. Wright not only tells the story of an incredible woman, but also pulls in a lot of the history that influenced Madame Restell's career over the years. The parallels in the swings from liberal to conservative morality over the nineteenth-century are scarily in-line with our current swings. The Know-Nothing party is frighteningly similar to current alt-right politicians and groups. The epilogue is a gut-punch of a plea for level-headedness and consideration in the aftermath of the overturn of Roe v Wade. Wright gets deeply personal in that epilogue to prove her point, which is both great support for her argument and incredibly brave of her. I had to put this down at times because it made me so angry that not a lot seems to have changed for women, but that's why this book is such a necessary read.
March 31, 2023
I was so excited for this book and desperately wanted to enjoy it. The research is extensive, however the author infuses every other sentence with snarky postulations that have nothing to do with the actual events of the book. I couldn’t get past it and I really, really tried.
DNF 28%
DNF 28%
March 23, 2023
Anyone who tells you life was better in the past is a fool. Despite the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade, American women still have more rights and freedoms, as well as political and economic power, now than at any other time. While Madame Restell is not the most narratively engaging book, Jennifer Wright's strengths as a researcher and historian shine throughout. I highly recommend this book for fans of Sin in the Second City by Karen Abbott, another book of sizzle history about the infamous Everleigh Club in Chicago at the turn of the twentieth century. Both books do what most history books don't do: report the lives of women who lived among the shadows and managed to achieve great wealth and power despite cultural and legislative barriers.
The fact that the words Comstockery and Babbittry have re-entered the American lexicon after a century's absence says volumes about our current moment. Given the assaults on women's bodily autonomy, bans on books, and attacks on the trans community, Madame Restell's publication is au courant. Abortion is and always will be an explosive, highly emotional issue, and it has and will always be practiced. As NYC's premier abortionist, Madame Restell's luxurious life proves that outlawing medical procedures, alcohol, recreational drugs, or any practices or materials deemed a vice (side-eye to Comstock) will only create an underground economy in which individuals can thrive but also but their lives at risk.
What I enjoyed about this book is Wright's characterization of Madame Restell and the matter-of-fact attitude many people had about abortion prior to Comstock and his ilk cloaking the procedure in venality and shame. The book demonstrates the connection between the past and the present and exposes white male hostility to abortion for what it really is: fear of a loss of white supremacy and female equality. However, the book colors outside the lines at times, segueing into diatribes about the Know Nothing party, the Civil War, other matters that really don't have much to do with Madame Restell's story. But all of that can be forgiven. This is a great book and my only real qualm is that the people who need to read this book most won't even bother.
As a side note, I hope Glenn Close will read this book, or that somebody connected to her will give her a copy of it. I think she would be perfect playing Madame Restell in a feature film that would surely give her that damn Oscar already. Sheesh!
The fact that the words Comstockery and Babbittry have re-entered the American lexicon after a century's absence says volumes about our current moment. Given the assaults on women's bodily autonomy, bans on books, and attacks on the trans community, Madame Restell's publication is au courant. Abortion is and always will be an explosive, highly emotional issue, and it has and will always be practiced. As NYC's premier abortionist, Madame Restell's luxurious life proves that outlawing medical procedures, alcohol, recreational drugs, or any practices or materials deemed a vice (side-eye to Comstock) will only create an underground economy in which individuals can thrive but also but their lives at risk.
What I enjoyed about this book is Wright's characterization of Madame Restell and the matter-of-fact attitude many people had about abortion prior to Comstock and his ilk cloaking the procedure in venality and shame. The book demonstrates the connection between the past and the present and exposes white male hostility to abortion for what it really is: fear of a loss of white supremacy and female equality. However, the book colors outside the lines at times, segueing into diatribes about the Know Nothing party, the Civil War, other matters that really don't have much to do with Madame Restell's story. But all of that can be forgiven. This is a great book and my only real qualm is that the people who need to read this book most won't even bother.
As a side note, I hope Glenn Close will read this book, or that somebody connected to her will give her a copy of it. I think she would be perfect playing Madame Restell in a feature film that would surely give her that damn Oscar already. Sheesh!
May 5, 2023
Historically, I’m actually upset that this story has not been told before. A truly important piece of American history that deserves a hearing—though the history of women in this country often tends to be relegated to the shadows. It was actually maddening to read accounts of women being told they cannot control their lives and their bodies in the 1880s, realizing that I could copy and paste the arguments to today’s headlines. I’m angry to know the horrors that await—that are already here—women in a post Roe world. The life of Madame Restell deserves a hearing today, perhaps, sadly, more than ever.
Stylistically, the book reads almost as a novel. I never once felt as if I were reading “history” but always felt caught up in a story. A real page turner, which is a rare thing to pull off in historical literature.
If you’re concerned about the fate of America in a post Roe world, it’s important to understand what life was like pre Roe. The life of Madame Restell provides but a window and a mirror.
Stylistically, the book reads almost as a novel. I never once felt as if I were reading “history” but always felt caught up in a story. A real page turner, which is a rare thing to pull off in historical literature.
If you’re concerned about the fate of America in a post Roe world, it’s important to understand what life was like pre Roe. The life of Madame Restell provides but a window and a mirror.
March 27, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Wright, and Hachette Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2023
This is interpreted history with many opinions. I have read of Restell before and was hoping for a deeper dive. Just wasn’t there. A lot of the author saying what she believed people must’ve thought and felt. Then side quests into other tertiary events, which, while important, were also filled with the author giving her opinion on what she believed people were thinking. In her attempts it incorporate other events, she treated them in a reductive fashion.
At one point, the author literally states that a person’s actions were equivalent to double middle fingers in the air. I mean…..what? What is that about?
Very difficult to take seriously. I appreciate the author’s efforts to bring this woman’s work into a current understanding of a complex issue, but it is irresponsible to make assumptions about people’s motives.
At one point, the author literally states that a person’s actions were equivalent to double middle fingers in the air. I mean…..what? What is that about?
Very difficult to take seriously. I appreciate the author’s efforts to bring this woman’s work into a current understanding of a complex issue, but it is irresponsible to make assumptions about people’s motives.
March 7, 2023
Not only is this an informative book on Madame Restell's life, but it's also extremely informative of what the times were like when she was alive. Not only am I learning about New York's most famous abortionist, but I'm learning what it's like to be a woman in the 1830s and beyond, how the conditions were, the laws, the society absolutely dripping in sexism (though we already knew that).
I absolutely enjoyed every moment of this book and learning about Madame Restell, who wasn't painted as a saint even in this book. She was painted as a human, all the nitty gritty details about her right beside all the best parts. And there were a lot of great parts about her. I got to read about her, see her, in her entirety, not just what was pretty and clean, which is a rare thing to get in 2023.
What an amazing, informative, enraging, beautiful read.
**Thank you to NetGalley & Hachette Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.**
I absolutely enjoyed every moment of this book and learning about Madame Restell, who wasn't painted as a saint even in this book. She was painted as a human, all the nitty gritty details about her right beside all the best parts. And there were a lot of great parts about her. I got to read about her, see her, in her entirety, not just what was pretty and clean, which is a rare thing to get in 2023.
What an amazing, informative, enraging, beautiful read.
**Thank you to NetGalley & Hachette Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.**
June 4, 2023
I think I would have liked this more if I wasn’t already familiar with JW’s writing. I know her to be hilarious and witty, and expected this book to be something that it wasn’t meant to be.
When I finally started to accept the book for what it is and not what I thought it was going to be, I really enjoyed it.
The epilogue was especially poignant, and I found myself crying through the last few pages.
When I finally started to accept the book for what it is and not what I thought it was going to be, I really enjoyed it.
The epilogue was especially poignant, and I found myself crying through the last few pages.
November 10, 2022
Madame Restell was the most infamous abortionist in the United States. Jennifer Wright has taken on telling her story, set on the backdrop of Gilded Age New York. From Restell's Hubble beginnings through her illustrious career, she had many ups and downs, never apologizing and facing down her many detractors.
I'm not much of a nonfiction person. But if the right subject comes along, I can be convinced. I enjoyed reading about Restell, but there was a LOT in this book that was filler. Some was needed to fill out her story, but it felt like there was a lot extra. In fact, it felt to me like this would have made a good episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class.
I'm not much of a nonfiction person. But if the right subject comes along, I can be convinced. I enjoyed reading about Restell, but there was a LOT in this book that was filler. Some was needed to fill out her story, but it felt like there was a lot extra. In fact, it felt to me like this would have made a good episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class.
October 29, 2022
I learned so much from reading this book. Madame Restell is written in a conversational tone that is easy to read. Along with being a biography, there is a lot of history within these pages that I previously knew nothing about. I think that people who are interested in women's rights, biographies, New York City and history in general will enjoy and appreciate this biography. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
Want to read
December 21, 2022Abortion and Jennifer Wright? Two of my favorite things together?
CAN'T WAIT!
(but will wait)
Note: Before anyone freaks out that I just love me some abortions in a mad scientist sort of way, "two of my favorite things" above refers to the topic of abortion and making-history-fun-yet-informative-in-a-way-my-history-teachers-definitely-didn't authors. Breathe, Susan, breathe.
CAN'T WAIT!
(but will wait)
Note: Before anyone freaks out that I just love me some abortions in a mad scientist sort of way, "two of my favorite things" above refers to the topic of abortion and making-history-fun-yet-informative-in-a-way-my-history-teachers-definitely-didn't authors. Breathe, Susan, breathe.
January 19, 2024
TW: discussions of abortions, rape, sexual harassment/coercion in the workplace, alcoholism, homelessness, starvation, abandonment of children, death of children, drug overdose (including in children), sex work, death of husband, incest, child kidnapping, incarceration, racism, lynching, the Civil War, torture, death of family members, suicide.
“Restell was a businesswoman, a scofflaw, an immigrant, and an abortionist. She made men really, really mad. She deserves a place in the pantheon of women with no fucks left to give.”
Ann Trow, aka Madame Restell, was a well known 19th century abortionist who spent her life helping women. Madame Restell is a woman who should be a name that you would think would be pretty well known to women, especially with the current fight to protect abortion rights, but sadly, she has mostly been forgotten, probably because she was really hated for what she did.
Restell’s story was a fascinating one of an immigrant coming to America with a husband and child hoping for a better life and quickly finding that it was just as hard to survive here as it was in Britain. After her husband died, things got worse for Ann but she was an extremely hard worker and eventually started working as an abortionist, which eventually became successful. So successful that she became one of the wealthiest women in the city and had a beautiful horse drawn carriage, lavish dresses, and the best education for her daughter.
While Restell did help many women by providing access to abortions, we also see that she was a flawed person. She wasn’t doing this to help women because it was the right thing to do but because it would make her money. We also see her do some very not nice things, like kidnap an unwed woman's newborn baby because she thought the woman would be better off without the child. Restell was arrested several times for providing abortions and was jailed for over a year for doing the right thing for these women, even if she was doing it for the profit.
When I started this book, I knew nothing about Ann Trow, 19th century abortion history, Anthony Comstock and the Comstock laws, and everything else women had to deal with during this time period. Ann Trow Sommers (Madame Restell) was a fascinating woman who lived her life on her terms and said fuck you to anyone who got in her way. She fought for everything she had and she died on her own terms instead of letting her haters destroy her. While I don’t like some of the things she did, I really enjoyed learning about this remarkable woman and how important she was for so many women in New York during the 1800’s. Also, it was remarkable that she reportedly never had any deaths from her abortions.
“American’s are entering a new age of Comstockery, where if women do not want to be mothers, they will be made to be.”
I highly recommend this book if you are interested in learning about remarkable women performing illegal abortions successfully when surgery was still extremely dangerous and abortions were illegal, and now are again. Also, the epilogue is really poignant right now and discusses our current situation with the overturning of Roe v Wade.
“Restell was a businesswoman, a scofflaw, an immigrant, and an abortionist. She made men really, really mad. She deserves a place in the pantheon of women with no fucks left to give.”
Ann Trow, aka Madame Restell, was a well known 19th century abortionist who spent her life helping women. Madame Restell is a woman who should be a name that you would think would be pretty well known to women, especially with the current fight to protect abortion rights, but sadly, she has mostly been forgotten, probably because she was really hated for what she did.
Restell’s story was a fascinating one of an immigrant coming to America with a husband and child hoping for a better life and quickly finding that it was just as hard to survive here as it was in Britain. After her husband died, things got worse for Ann but she was an extremely hard worker and eventually started working as an abortionist, which eventually became successful. So successful that she became one of the wealthiest women in the city and had a beautiful horse drawn carriage, lavish dresses, and the best education for her daughter.
While Restell did help many women by providing access to abortions, we also see that she was a flawed person. She wasn’t doing this to help women because it was the right thing to do but because it would make her money. We also see her do some very not nice things, like kidnap an unwed woman's newborn baby because she thought the woman would be better off without the child. Restell was arrested several times for providing abortions and was jailed for over a year for doing the right thing for these women, even if she was doing it for the profit.
When I started this book, I knew nothing about Ann Trow, 19th century abortion history, Anthony Comstock and the Comstock laws, and everything else women had to deal with during this time period. Ann Trow Sommers (Madame Restell) was a fascinating woman who lived her life on her terms and said fuck you to anyone who got in her way. She fought for everything she had and she died on her own terms instead of letting her haters destroy her. While I don’t like some of the things she did, I really enjoyed learning about this remarkable woman and how important she was for so many women in New York during the 1800’s. Also, it was remarkable that she reportedly never had any deaths from her abortions.
“American’s are entering a new age of Comstockery, where if women do not want to be mothers, they will be made to be.”
I highly recommend this book if you are interested in learning about remarkable women performing illegal abortions successfully when surgery was still extremely dangerous and abortions were illegal, and now are again. Also, the epilogue is really poignant right now and discusses our current situation with the overturning of Roe v Wade.
December 31, 2022
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.
May 20, 2023
My mind is blown....and that's not easy. This history lesson and epic example of how women have been overlooked, underrated and unnecessarily harassed for centuries left me at times furious, at times in awe and overwhelmingly sad...why? Why have we had to be so tolerant for centuries?
The 5 star rating is both for the determination of the book's topic heroine as well as for the author....the enormous task of research, editing and formulating a biography at best of one of the most influential women of the 1800's is just mind boggling...the tediousness of trying to find data on this woman, multiplied by fact finding and then formulating a chronological depth has left me beyond awed. I admit to having to put the book down multiple times because I was enraged and saddened by not only what she went through but also for WHAT WE ARE STILL HAVING TO GO THROUGH and I am depressed at how, for another generation, I won't live long enough to see so many wrongs made right for yet another time in our history. READ THIS BOOK...and don't ever stay silent when we as a gender and as a human being are wronged or are on the cusp of having our rights infringed upon. For over 100 years we should not have to be fighting over and over again for our right to be seen, heard, respected and, yes, left alone!
The 5 star rating is both for the determination of the book's topic heroine as well as for the author....the enormous task of research, editing and formulating a biography at best of one of the most influential women of the 1800's is just mind boggling...the tediousness of trying to find data on this woman, multiplied by fact finding and then formulating a chronological depth has left me beyond awed. I admit to having to put the book down multiple times because I was enraged and saddened by not only what she went through but also for WHAT WE ARE STILL HAVING TO GO THROUGH and I am depressed at how, for another generation, I won't live long enough to see so many wrongs made right for yet another time in our history. READ THIS BOOK...and don't ever stay silent when we as a gender and as a human being are wronged or are on the cusp of having our rights infringed upon. For over 100 years we should not have to be fighting over and over again for our right to be seen, heard, respected and, yes, left alone!
January 24, 2023
What an incredibly enlightening read.
"Most Americans don't know her name at all..."*
I was one of those Americans and as a fiction reader, I don't normally gravitate toward this genre, but overall, I was pleasantly surprised!
'Madame Restell' is fiercely feminist and incredibly thought-provoking. The facts and statistics provided by Wright are, at times, harrowing and hard to swallow. It's a harsh look into society and women's rights (or lack thereof) in the nineteenth century.
Wright's voice is quite distinct and I found myself laughing at the blunt truth she provides.
"Not drugging your infants to keep them quiet seems like a reasonable directive for mothers who were at home with their children."*
Well, yaknow...it's pretty solid advice.
I genuinely learned a great deal from reading about Madame Restell and I was thoroughly entertained the entire time (a huge plus for a nonfiction, if I do say so myself).
It is fantastically written and seemingly very well researched.
No matter your (pro-)stance, I believe there is something to be gained from reading this book.
Huge thank you to Hachette Books (HachetteGo) for the ARC to read and honestly review.
*My review is based from an advanced copy, lines quoted may not be in the finished publication.
"Most Americans don't know her name at all..."*
I was one of those Americans and as a fiction reader, I don't normally gravitate toward this genre, but overall, I was pleasantly surprised!
'Madame Restell' is fiercely feminist and incredibly thought-provoking. The facts and statistics provided by Wright are, at times, harrowing and hard to swallow. It's a harsh look into society and women's rights (or lack thereof) in the nineteenth century.
Wright's voice is quite distinct and I found myself laughing at the blunt truth she provides.
"Not drugging your infants to keep them quiet seems like a reasonable directive for mothers who were at home with their children."*
Well, yaknow...it's pretty solid advice.
I genuinely learned a great deal from reading about Madame Restell and I was thoroughly entertained the entire time (a huge plus for a nonfiction, if I do say so myself).
It is fantastically written and seemingly very well researched.
No matter your (pro-)stance, I believe there is something to be gained from reading this book.
Huge thank you to Hachette Books (HachetteGo) for the ARC to read and honestly review.
*My review is based from an advanced copy, lines quoted may not be in the finished publication.
August 23, 2023
Ann Trow Sommers left England with her husband Henry and their daughter Caroline and came to America in 1831. Shortly after arriving in America Henry died, leaving Ann and her daughter struggling to figure out how to live. There were few options for women in the work world at that time and almost none for a single mother with a young child who couldn't be left alone. Ann ended up working for a pill compounder and learning to make pills that could prevent and end pregnancies. Soon she opened her own shop with her brother's help. After marrying her second husband, Charles Lohman, they created the persona of Madame Restell to boost Ann's credibility in the burgeoning medical field. Fairly quickly Ann and Charles became the most infamous abortionists in New York City, even opening additional offices in Boston and Philadelphia. But Ann's flaunting of social norms drew much attention to her and her work. Throughout her career she was disparaged in the media, arrested several times, and had several lawsuits brought against her. Yet, she kept doing her work. Was it because she felt it was needed work? Or was it because it made her extremely wealthy? I think it was probably a little of both. She grew up poor and was determined to never be there again. Her wealth also helped her flaunt society's prescribed role for women - even though Ann was a wife and mother, she was much more than that at a time when that was NOT seen as good. She was the breadwinner for her family as well and her husband was extremely supportive in a time when that was rare as well. In many ways she could be seen as ahead of her time.
With abortion always being a hot-button issue, but even more so now with Roe v. Wade being overturned, I saw this book and thought it might be interesting. Ann Lohman had an extremely interesting and unique life, but she was far from perfect. She didn't have many friends (because of her work) and she was often on the outs with various family members (even cutting off contact with her daughter for a time after she married a policeman). She also stole at least one baby from a woman who came to her, but wanted to keep her baby. And in the end she committed suicide after yet another arrest. I was genuinely shocked by the suicide. She did not seem like someone who would "give in" in that way after fighting so hard her whole life.
While Ann Lohman/Madame Restell's life was very interesting - this book was not. After the first few chapters it became extremely tedious with TONS of unnecessary details and the authors added comments. There were also DOZENS of rabbit trails about some random person in NYC at the time and why they were terrible/awesome/whatever that did not really add to Ann's overall story. I understand that with a historical non-fiction book like this you have to give some background, but it's a fine line between background and starting a whole other book. I also didn't like that the author made out anyone who was "against" Ann to be a horrible person who was obviously the real devil in the story. She made Ann into a modern-day heroine that she wasn't. We don't know if she was really ahead of her time in her views or she just fell into a very lucrative, yet illegal, career that made her extremely wealthy. I think Ann was extremely intelligent and driven in a time when that rarely worked out for women. I really didn't like the author's obviously added commentary throughout the book - if this woman is amazing just tell her story and it will be amazing. Overall, I think Ann Lohman was an extremely interesting person and was ahead of her time in many ways, but I wouldn't recommend this book. I definitely think it could have been much better done.
Some quotes I liked:
"By the mid-1800s, the streets of New York teemed with an estimated 30,000 homeless children. The miserable conditions they lived in were startling at best, but more often appalling...It's important to understand that there was a difference between society's treatment of foundlings versus orphans. Orphans were children who, while they may have come from respectable homes, had lost both of their parents, perhaps due to an epidemic or some other act of God. They were considered pitiable. Foundlings, however, were children who had been abandoned immediately after their birth. They were considered, in the words of New York's first chief of police, 'embryo courtesans and felons.'...Almshouses were where cast-off infants were supposedly cared for, but it's hard to say that they experienced much 'care' there...From 1854 to 1859, nearly 90 percent of the infants in those institutions died. Even at a time when it was estimated that a third of children died during their first year, the statistic was shocking." (p. 12-13)
"In the 1850s, Dr. William Sanger estimated that in New York, a woman would only work as a prostitute for, on average, four years before dying." (p. 18)
[Catholic Archbishop John Hughes spoke out openly against Madame Restell, so when she found out he wanted to buy land beside the new site for St. Patrick's Cathedral she bought it herself to spite him] "...Madame Restell decided to bring the battleground to her - and bought the plot on which he intended to build his house. There, she would build a house of her own, a house so ostentatious that parishioners at St. Patrick's would be forced to look at it every time they went to church. The land purchase would also serve to tell the archbishop who had the real power in New York City...When Hughes placed his bid on the plot of land across from where St. Patrick's would be built, he was shocked that 'Madame Restell had doubled his offer.'...And so, while the rest of the country pinched pennies, Madame Restell bought the land across from what would be St. Patrick's Cathedral for a total of $36,500 ($1,160,402 today). Spending a million dollars on a plot of undeveloped land in a largely unpopulated part of town to snub someone was absolutely her style." (p. 200-202)
With abortion always being a hot-button issue, but even more so now with Roe v. Wade being overturned, I saw this book and thought it might be interesting. Ann Lohman had an extremely interesting and unique life, but she was far from perfect. She didn't have many friends (because of her work) and she was often on the outs with various family members (even cutting off contact with her daughter for a time after she married a policeman). She also stole at least one baby from a woman who came to her, but wanted to keep her baby. And in the end she committed suicide after yet another arrest. I was genuinely shocked by the suicide. She did not seem like someone who would "give in" in that way after fighting so hard her whole life.
While Ann Lohman/Madame Restell's life was very interesting - this book was not. After the first few chapters it became extremely tedious with TONS of unnecessary details and the authors added comments. There were also DOZENS of rabbit trails about some random person in NYC at the time and why they were terrible/awesome/whatever that did not really add to Ann's overall story. I understand that with a historical non-fiction book like this you have to give some background, but it's a fine line between background and starting a whole other book. I also didn't like that the author made out anyone who was "against" Ann to be a horrible person who was obviously the real devil in the story. She made Ann into a modern-day heroine that she wasn't. We don't know if she was really ahead of her time in her views or she just fell into a very lucrative, yet illegal, career that made her extremely wealthy. I think Ann was extremely intelligent and driven in a time when that rarely worked out for women. I really didn't like the author's obviously added commentary throughout the book - if this woman is amazing just tell her story and it will be amazing. Overall, I think Ann Lohman was an extremely interesting person and was ahead of her time in many ways, but I wouldn't recommend this book. I definitely think it could have been much better done.
Some quotes I liked:
"By the mid-1800s, the streets of New York teemed with an estimated 30,000 homeless children. The miserable conditions they lived in were startling at best, but more often appalling...It's important to understand that there was a difference between society's treatment of foundlings versus orphans. Orphans were children who, while they may have come from respectable homes, had lost both of their parents, perhaps due to an epidemic or some other act of God. They were considered pitiable. Foundlings, however, were children who had been abandoned immediately after their birth. They were considered, in the words of New York's first chief of police, 'embryo courtesans and felons.'...Almshouses were where cast-off infants were supposedly cared for, but it's hard to say that they experienced much 'care' there...From 1854 to 1859, nearly 90 percent of the infants in those institutions died. Even at a time when it was estimated that a third of children died during their first year, the statistic was shocking." (p. 12-13)
"In the 1850s, Dr. William Sanger estimated that in New York, a woman would only work as a prostitute for, on average, four years before dying." (p. 18)
[Catholic Archbishop John Hughes spoke out openly against Madame Restell, so when she found out he wanted to buy land beside the new site for St. Patrick's Cathedral she bought it herself to spite him] "...Madame Restell decided to bring the battleground to her - and bought the plot on which he intended to build his house. There, she would build a house of her own, a house so ostentatious that parishioners at St. Patrick's would be forced to look at it every time they went to church. The land purchase would also serve to tell the archbishop who had the real power in New York City...When Hughes placed his bid on the plot of land across from where St. Patrick's would be built, he was shocked that 'Madame Restell had doubled his offer.'...And so, while the rest of the country pinched pennies, Madame Restell bought the land across from what would be St. Patrick's Cathedral for a total of $36,500 ($1,160,402 today). Spending a million dollars on a plot of undeveloped land in a largely unpopulated part of town to snub someone was absolutely her style." (p. 200-202)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2023
There's like a three star rating on this book already, and it boggles my mind because I can't see how this book could be anything less than five stars. It's perfect. You can tell from the writings that Madame Restell was an extraordinary woman. The book talks about so much more than just abortions, delving into immigration, women's rights, feminism, and the utter audacity of men's habits of gaslighting and manipulating women in the mid-1800s just to remain in power. My favorite quote came towards the end of the book: "Americans are entering a new age of comstockery where, if women do not want to be mothers, they will be made to be." The perfect place for that quote was at the end of the book after you've read about how much crap women had to put up with and continue to have to put up with today.
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