Madeleine

by Marcia Carlisle and Benjamin Barr Lindsey

Book Overview

An insider's eloquent, moving account of life as a nineteenth century prostitute. This memoir offers a vivid account of brothel life in 1890s North Americain the city (Chicago, St. Louis), the Western boom town (Butte, Montana), and on the Canadian frontier. Containing the introductions to the 1919 and 1986 editions (by Judge Ben B. Lindsey and scholar Marcia Carlisle, respectively), its eponymous narrator offers great insight into the daily workings of both high and low class houses, as well as her relationships with madams, clientele, and members of the legitimate society in which prostitution flourished.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892551089
• ISBN13: 9780892551088
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Persea Books
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A personal journey

Madeleine is a beautifully honest account of a young woman's journey from prostitution to personal emancipation in the 1800's. She reveals the inner torments, struggle and final victory into freedom in a way that is deeply compelling. It is difficult to sustain a glorified view of prostitution after reading this book - Madeleine reveals it, from her own experiences, to be a corrupt, ugly and enslaving lifestyle which is immensely difficult to escape from. She writes that prostitution enslaves a person in invisible chains which keep a woman tethered to the life of misery and degradation. The author writes with dignity and candour and takes us on a fascinating journey that reveals to us, not just facts, but the inner experiences that she went through. It is an account from another era and is interesting as a historical document but the struggle she portrays is timeless and still valid for us today. If human stories of real struggles, suffering and valiant efforts to rise above circumstances appeal to you; if you are interested in the workings of human nature and the consequences of choices we make, then this is a book for you. I found it so fascinating that I have read it 3 times and I only wish there were more accounts so honest and searching into the difficult journey that so often is the human condition.

excellent book

This is an excellent book. Tastefully and intelligently written by turn-of-the-century madame. Gives some insight into old west life. Women, you won't be able to put it down!