Storyville

by Lois Battle

Book Overview

From turn-of-the-century New Orleans, a city renowned for sin, seduction, and sex, comes a tale of two women inextricably linked by "The District" of Storyville, where prostitution was legal--and flourishing.

Kate--young, beautiful, and abandoned by a man who doesn't love her--finds herself thrown on the mercies of the city. Julia Randsome is a transplanted Yankee, a supporter of women's rights, who against everyone's advice marries into one...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140267697
• ISBN13: 9780140267693
• Release Date: November 1997
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Storyville

Well developed characters in an intersting situation. This is an adult's book and is not only factual but an entertaining read. Lois Battle did a magnificent job detailing life for an abandoned girl who climbs above her predicament. Battle touches on the beginnings of the suffragette movement which leads to a surpizing conclusion. I've recommeded Storyville to several friends. Ron

Couldn't Stop Reading

This is a really captivating story (fiction) that takes place during the time when prostitution was legal in a neighborhood known as "Storyville" in New Orleans. The characters are interesting and colorful, the writing is wonderful. I have only visited New Orleans once in my life, but the author's descriptions of the streets and shops and homes took me right back there. I highy recommend this for a really enjoyable reading experience

I couldn't put it down

This is a beautifully told, extremely well-written story that brought old New Orleans to life with such clarity, it was as though I were walking down Bourbon Street every time I opened the book. I do agree the ending was a bit rushed but only because I didn't want the book to end. Kate and Julia, Mollie Q, Billy Shakespeare and all the characters were well-defined and believable. I have read Ms Battle before and will continue to read everything she writes. (And I don't understand the "bodice-ripper" review, either)!!

Recommended

Storyville was recommended to me by several friends in my book club. I enjoyed the book very much. The book focuses on two main characters: a forwarded thinking society matron (Julia) and a beautiful girl (Kate) who, through a sad series of circumstances, winds up in a New Orleans brothel. Though their worlds are quite different, the two women's paths cross. The characters are well developed and believable. I do agree with the other reviewers, and feel the ending while good, was a bit rushed.

Yet another great novel by Lois Battle!

Lois Battle writes strong, solid fiction about strong (usually Southern) women. Her novels are realistic and yet entertaining. "Storyville" was excellent and I could barely put it down. "Bed and breakfast" and "The past is another country" , also by Battle, are equally well written. I usually read only British authors, but I make an exception in Lois Battle's case.