This was an incredibly well researched book about the Women's suffrage movement and the historic march on Washington DC. I admit that I was a little disappointed because this book reads more like a non-fiction narrative rather than a novel, but I still learned a lot and enjoyed it. I received a copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Although I’ve loved every book written by this author, I found this book a bit disjointed. It lacked the emotional element her books usually contain. Since she focused on so many different characters, it was hard to attach to a certain character. It felt like a history lesson.

The Women's March centres around three amazing woman in the lead up to the Women's March held in Washington in March, 1913; the day before President Woodrow Wilson's (an anti suffragist) inauguration. The author has certainly done her research of the historical events that the Women’s March revolves around.

The 3 women were instrumental in passing the amendment that gave women the right to vote. The women all come from different backgrounds and the author develops their characters so that you can really bond with them.

I found this book a really interesting and informative read about the history of the right to vote and the strength of character that these women had in what was a mans world of the early 1900s.

This book follows the lives of three women as they fight for women's suffrage in the US. Alice Paul spent years working in the suffrage movement in the UK. Upon returning to the US, she is determined to spark new interest in the movement. Maud Malone, known as a heckler, is known for interrupting politicians speeches, asking how they feel about women's votes. Ida B. Wells-Barnett, an African American woman, is interested in votes for all women, not just the white women who have to-date been the focus on the movement. Alice, determined to fight for a constitutional amendment, organizes a march scheduled the day before the inauguration of Woodrow Wilson.

This was a fairly quick and engaging read. The characters were interesting and dynamic. I know relatively little about the topic and found myself googling everyone after reading the book. Overall, highly recommended.

Historical fiction is my favorite genre, so I was delighted to be provided an opportunity to review an ARC copy of “The Women’s March: A Novel of the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession,” by Jennifer Chiaverini, which centers on the historic march on Washington the day before Woodrow Wilson’s first inauguration in March 1913. This book focuses on the work of three main characters: Alice Paul, a middle class university educated Quaker, who gained experience working for the suffragette movement in England; Ida Bell Wells-Barnett, an African-American originally from Mississippi, residing in Chicago at the time of the march, where she was a leader of the suffragette movement; and Maud Malone, a working-class librarian who gained notoriety by being arrested for challenging candidates at political rallies to declare whether or not they were for or against “woman suffrage.”

Unfortunately, my enthusiasm quickly waned as I slogged through long narratives detailing the family histories of each of the three main characters, along with descriptions of a dizzying array of supporting characters and innumerable suffrage organizations both local and national. When the book finally began to feel like a novel instead of a history tome, the tedium didn’t lift. Instead, the few character interactions took the form of countless meetings, speeches, and rallies. As a result, none of the characters ever really came to life. Although I did learn a lot about the suffrage movement and the individuals who played a part in it, for the reasons set forth above, I can’t say that I enjoyed the book. However, the author should be commended for her well-researched examination of the “woman suffrage” movement. If the reader approaches the book as a history lesson as opposed to an entertaining novel, then perhaps the reader won’t be as disappointed as I was.

If you are a history buff with a particular interest in women’s rights, you may find this book fascinating. It’s more of a narrative about the struggle for women’s suffrage in early 20th century United States than a plotted story.

The author focuses on three real-life women who advocated for women’s right to vote. Although she was from a Quaker family, Alice Paul had joined the Pankhursts’ military suffragists in England and been treated brutally in prison for her efforts. Returning to the US, she became highly educated and ultimately caught the eye of national organizers. Ida Bell Wells-Barnett and her husband came from slavery backgrounds. She co-founded the Negro Fellowship League and found herself advocating for both women’s rights and racial equality. Maud Malone was a librarian who fearlessly challenged politicians to state publicly where they stood on women’s suffrage.

I found the last section of the book the most interesting. A women’s suffrage parade was planned for the day before Woodrow Wilson’s inauguration, and the Illinois delegation decided to walk to Washington, DC from New York City (250 miles) to participate. The author’s highly detailed account of the women’s travels and travails, the challenge to whether Ida—the sole member of color in the delegation—would be allowed to march with them, and their goal of delivering a letter in person to the President-Elect brought the struggle to life. And Jennifer Chiaverini’s research seems impeccable.

My thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this book.

This was not what I was expecting at all, it felt more like a biography than a fictional story. I know that this book was based off of real events and people but I struggled because I didn’t feel there was a fictional aspect to the book, which is what the book is marketed as. Because of the way that it was told I struggled to feel connected to the characters. However would recommend if you like the author’s previous work. It just wasn’t for me. Giving it 3 stars after 25% for the great amount of research that went into it.

I must confess that I did not know nearly as much as I thought I did about the movement that led to the (eventual) right for women to vote in the United States. I was aware of those who started the movement both the U.S. and England but I was familiar with only one of the three women featured in this novel.

The three are Alice Paul, Ida Wells and Maud Malone. Each has her life story told against the vivid backdrop of the politics of the day and their individual histories.

Alice Paul was raised as a Quaker; Ida Wells knew much about slavery, and Maud Malone was an Irish American librarian. What led each of these women to fight so hard for something that many now take for granted? Jennifer Chiaverini helps readers to understand why they worked persistently for what they believed in.

These three are not the only ones who appear in the book. To name just two others, there are Jane Addams and Ava Vanderbilt.

The history that Alice, Ida and Maud lived through comes to life in this novel. I was especially struck by all that Ida Wells endured including the impact of yellow fever on her life, the lynchings of people that she knew and much more.

Around these women are the men, many of whom wanted to thwart votes for women. They included President Wilson. Will the women succeed in organizing a massive march for the day before his inaugural? Read this one to find out.

I found The Women’s March to be among my very favorite books by this author. I learned a lot but did not feel that I was being lectured to.

This historical fiction should be on reading lists for high school students and up. It would make a superb book club selection.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The stories of the Women's Suffrage movement in the United States usually consist of focusing on the efforts of several women: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucretia Mott. While these women were certainly pivotal to the cause, their actions were not the only ones that generated awareness and change. Chiaverini has composed a remarkable book focused on the 1913 Women's Suffrage march in Washington D.C. This book has been meticulously researched and Chiaverini has very successfully taken that research and delivered it in an easy to follow format. The book introduces readers to other influential women of the suffrage movement including Alice Paul, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Maud Malone. It showcases how women vying for suffrage in the United States incorporated lessons learned by suffragists in other countries and chose a more docile approach. By utilizing 3 main characters with distinctly different backgrounds, Chiaverini was able to touch upon the varying views of how inclusive the fight for suffrage should be. Even with just focusing on this one major event, Chiaverini provides a comprehensive history of the suffrage movement. This is my first book by this author and it certainly won't be my last.

I received an advance copy of this title via NetGalley.

A Chiaverini book is always worthwhile! Here she takes on the 1913 suffrage march in Washington, DC. Impressively researched with well developed characters, Chiaverini brings to life the deeply committed women, the stubborn and often horrific setbacks, the conflicts, and the almost unimaginable cost of gaining the vote for women. There are many historical elements that will be surprising to many of us. The incredible Ida B. Wells-Barnett is an essential part of the story, often omitted from these stories of women's suffrage, is given a voice here. Splinter suffrage groups fought for ascendancy, also a topic well covered in this story. This is a well-done and exciting account of a pivotal but little known event in US history that was one of many that paved the way for the 19th Amendment some years later.

Twenty-five-year-old Alice Paul returns to her native New Jersey after several years on the front lines of the suffrage movement in Great Britain. Weakened from imprisonment and hunger strikes, she is nevertheless determined to invigorate the stagnant suffrage movement in her homeland. Nine states have already granted women voting rights, but only a constitutional amendment will secure the vote for all. To inspire support for the campaign, Alice organizes a magnificent procession down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC, the day before the inauguration of President-elect Woodrow Wilson, a firm antisuffragist. Joining the march is thirty-nine-year-old New Yorker Maud Malone, librarian and advocate for women’s and workers’ rights. Maud has acquired a reputation—and a criminal record—for interrupting politicians’ speeches with pointed questions they’d rather ignore. Civil rights activist and journalist Ida B. Wells-Barnett resolves that women of color must also be included in the march—and the proposed amendment. Born into slavery in Mississippi, Ida worries that white suffragists may exclude Black women if it serves their own interests. On March 3, 1913, the glorious march commences, but negligent police allow vast crowds of belligerent men to block the parade route—jeering, shouting threats, assaulting the marchers—endangering not only the success of the demonstration but the women’s very lives. Inspired by actual events, The Women’s March offers a fascinating account of a crucial but little-remembered moment in American history, a turning point in the struggle for women’s rights.

I learned a lot in this book about the suffrage movement. The only name I was familiar with was Ida B. Wells-Barnett because of her early work in Memphis, my home town. This is the third book I have read by this author and am always amazed at the amount of research she does for each book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Read if you: Want a strong and eye-opening historical novel about the suffragist movement.

This is one of Chiaverini's best in several years. I appreciated how she presented the shameful racist (and to a lesser extent, classist) attitudes of the movement; Ida B. Wells is a central figure in this story.

Librarians/booksellers: Your historical fiction fans will flip! Many are likely already fans of Jennifer Chiaverini.

Many thanks to William Morrow/Custom House and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

This title was given to me as a digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This was my first Chiaverini novel, which is surprising. She writes quite prolifically, mostly about topics and people I enjoy reading about. I will have to say, this was much less dialogue and much more narrative than I was anticipating. This felt almost like a history book (like, the kind you would get in college) versus a pleasure read. It is quite evident Chiaverini dedicated a lot of time researching and preparing for this book. I felt like I had to finish this book because of the topic-I am ashamed to say I know less about women's suffrage than I should, and I was hoping this book would paint a vivid and engaging portrait to learn from. It felt...clinical? Sterile? I didn't feel like I connected to any of the characters, and I felt like I was hearing about their experiences almost second or third hand instead of being able to experience it alongside them. I'm not sure if this is how all of her works are written, or if this was an exception. It's an important topic and moment in history, but it was almost too much information to be considered "historical fiction".

This is a well-researched historical novel that gives the reader a satisfying build-up to the women's march of the title. The background to each of the 3 women POV characters is what really makes the story come alive. I enjoyed how Chiaverini enables the reader to get to know each of them intimately before the march, and its ensuing drama, takes place.

I was very excited to get approved for this book. I love the messages that Chiaverini portrays in her books and this one was no exception. She does such a good job of making you feel engrossed in the story and transports you to the era of the story. I didn't want this to end and I already can't wait to see what is next!

I am a historical fiction enthusiast and I’ve always pondered what historic events I wish were covered more in the historical fiction genre. Women’s suffrage is almost at the top of that list, so I was absolutely THRILLED to find out about the forthcoming novel, THE WOMEN’S MARCH by Jennifer Chiaverini. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

THE WOMEN’S MARCH follows prominent suffragettes Alice Paul, Ida Wells-Barnett, and Maud Malone and the weeks leading up to the historic 1913 Women’s March in Washington DC. I loved reading about Alice, Ida, and Maud and the different ways they made an impact to the women’s suffrage movement. The novel took a while to get going and sometimes I felt like it lacked in dialogue and read like a non-fiction, but as the day of the March, March 3, got closer I found myself invested in each of their stories. My heart absolutely broke for Ida Wells-Barnett on the day of the March and I admired her courage to continue on anyways. It showed that while women’s suffrage was a step in the right direction, we still had a way to go. Her inclusion in the story was so important. I knew of all three women through history books and through my own research, but I thoroughly enjoyed the deep dive into their passion of women’s suffrage. Lastly, I appreciated that the realistic portrayal of Woodrow Wilson. He was a known misogynist and racist and only embraced women’s suffrage (after years of an lukewarm attitude towards it) when it became politically expedient for him to do so and he was backed into a corner. All in all, this was a fascinating read and I’m happy to report that it lived up to my expectations. I finished this book with great admiration and appreciation for the courageous women who fought for my (and every woman in this country) the right to vote.

I look forward to recommending and sharing this novel with our community as a review on our website on publication day and in lists of great books to read this summer. In addition, I will keep it as a contender for a monthly pick for our organization’s book club.

Based on Actual Events - The Woman's March on March 3, 1913
(day before President Woodrow Wilson's inauguration)

I have read all of Jennifer Chiaverini's books.
I enjoyed the Elm Quilts Series and many of her books. I was excited to read this ARC.

We need to honor and remember the dreamers, fighters, activists who marched for us.
If we can not thank them personally. we can thank them by voting and speaking for others.
I did not know of these women before, full stories should be learned.

This was an interesting portrayal of one significant event in the struggle for women's rights and the vote. The author focused on three women with very different backgrounds who eventually come together for the march down Pennsylvania Avenue, the day before Woodrow Wilson's inauguration, who was opposed to the suffragettes and their cause.

Following 3 women who were instrumental in passing the amendment giving women the tight to vote, I learned so much about the issues they faced. All 3 women came from different backgrounds and were fully developed characters. A wonderful look at women we need to be eternally grateful to.

I really struggled with this book. I have read Ms Chiaverini's book "Resistance Women", also a fictionalized version of real people and events, and absolutely loved it, so I was expecting much of the same with this. However, "The Women's March" was mostly a narrative of facts and events, with very small bits of dialogue scattered in, making it read more like a nonfiction history book or a biography of the 3 women featured. It didn't feel at all like a fiction book. I'm not really sure what was fictionalized but it seemed to be trying to have a foot in both worlds instead of doing either really well.

Fiction is supposed to allow you to step into the characters' worlds, while being laced with emotion and dialogue, feeling what they are feeling while walking with them in their story. This, however, had very little emotion, and felt like you were outside looking in, watching events as they happened instead of being invited into them. This was almost a DNF for me, except that I know very little about women's suffrage and felt it was an important story to hear nonetheless, although I probably skimmed most of the second half just trying to get thru it. Bottom line, the content was important and good but if this was supposed to be a novel of fiction, it fell very flat for me and I was really disappointed with it.

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.