In this complex biography of nineteenth-century abortionist Madame Restell, Jennifer Wright brings a clever, capable, and intelligent immigrant woman who became an important figure in medical history and women’s medical history against the odds. As a target for the law, society, and the media, Madame Restell’s boarding house, where she provided women with abortifacients and the home of her medical practice became a notorious site in town. In this complex and detailed historical biography, Madame Restell’s biography overlaps with the restriction of women’s power, autonomy, access to healthcare, and access to employment, and she threatens the status quo which powerful white men are attempting to maintain. Wright’s description of Restell’s life and of the circumstances that led women to her place of work are powerful and poignant, accounting for nuance and complex circumstances in each circumstance. With such incredible historical detail bringing Restell and other figures from the era to life, this is a powerful biography which draws on narrative techniques to more completely bring this aspect of society to life. An important historical biography for the modern age and in the history of women’s rights, women and historians have much to learn from Restell’s story as told by Wright.

This is one of two books I've read on this trailblazing woman recently, and definitely the better of the two. Well researched and engaging, I'm glad the world finally gets to know about this chapter of women's rights. Those who don't know the past are doomed to repeat it.

This is an excellent book that looks at a woman who fought for women's reproductive rights. The author gives a good background on the person and the subject that she was fighting for. A person who I had never heard of before yet another woman fighting for women's rights, their rights not on just this topic but so much more. A very good book. Might not be for everyone but I am a firm believer in all knowledge, so therefore a good book.

An excellent biography of one of the pioneers of women’s reproductive rights. This book does a wonderful job of not just providing information on Madame Restell, but also giving context and acknowledging her shortcomings too. I found this to be very insightful and I learned so much about the history of women’s reproductive rights that I didn’t know before. If you are looking to expand your knowledge of women’s history, I highly recommend giving this a try.

Informative, and transformative to my understanding of the history of reproductive rights in North America.

Madame Restell was heavy on topic and on facts. I really came away from this with a greater understanding on the history of choice and reproductive rights in the United States. While it was an important read, it could be triggering for some.

It was fascinating to hear about Madame Restell's history herself, as well as the culture she operated in. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in reproductive rights and history.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One of the reasons I love a good historical non fiction is that it transports me back to that time and place. The sights the smells.... This is how you know your embarking on a true adventure. I loved this book. Manhattan in the 1800's. I was there feeling the grit and grime of the city. The absolute fear and desperation of these women were palpable. Medical history is one of my absolute favorite topics and this book hit the nail on the head for me. The strength of these women was something you will never see nowadays. This woman saw a need and filled it without shame. Women had no options at that time and it is something that all girls and women should read considering history is trying to repeat itself.

A well researched and engagingly told history about an overlooked figure. Brings Madame Restell to life, but also her world, and the challenges faced by women from the most marginalized to the most privileged.

So glad I looked at this book. I've been reading New York history my entire life and this is a story unlike any I'd ever heard.

I enjoyed reading about Madame Restell, who played an immensely important role in NYC regarding abortion and birth control. Interesting that I had never before learned about this woman's important role. I found the writing to be a bit choppy and the author's viewpoints strongly expressed, I did enjoy the book. I also found the research that went into this tale thorough and fascinating. I am also impressed about Madame Restell as a woman, among many, who finds a way to survive when conventional methods are lacking. Recommend the book.

Whether or not you believe in abortion, this is a really important [and extremely timely] book to be reading right now. I think it will surprise the reader with just how nuanced the whole book is and with something that is so amazingly researched, I don't understand how someone could not learn SOMETHING from the reading of this book.

I waited for the audiobook to be released at my library and I am so glad I did - Mara Wilson did an excellent job narrating and I surely hope she narrates more books. She really brings the story to life and that time frame and I would listen to her narrate just about anything.

What we think is truth isn't always that and we need to remember that, especially in these days. I encourage people to look into the history of this subject, especially after reading this books. And here is truly the most important thing is this...it is NO ONES business what I do or don't do with my body and that goes for E V E R Y O N E. I don't see us policing men and what they do, the same should 100% all be applied to women. We are human beings, just like men and we deserve the same body autonomy that they currently enjoy. Just something to remember.

Thank you to NetGalley, Jennifer Wright, and Hachette Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Madame Restell by Jennifer Wright. Pub Date: February 28, 2023. Rating: 5 stars. First off, kudos to the author for the thorough research she did to create this novel. I had never heard of Madame Restell, but honestly I am so glad she existed. She was a fierce woman who worked hard at women's rights, topic of abortion and pregnancy/postpartum care. This woman performed countless procedures of abortion to women of varying different social classes. The author really delves into the many reasons women may have sought abortions such as being poor, having extramarital relations, being subjected to rape or unfortunate situations, etc. I really thought this book was timely and on point, especially with the recent Roe vs. Wade discussion. I think this is an important novel to read and learn from. Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #netgalley #madamerestell

I first heard about Madame Restell from a podcast given by The Bowery Boys, New York Historians a few years ago. I was so excited to see that this book was available on NetGalley. It is a fantastically researched and thorough book about the greatest abortionist of all time. Madame Restell was a true heroine! It is a fascinating read from the time that she comes to America as an immigrant, to New York specifically, up through the beginnings of the Gilded Age. And she was something! Headstrong, smart, witty, brave, so brave and determined. She was an activist for women, and thank goodness for her. She became incredibly wealthy from her work so much so that she was able to live in palatial surroundings. This is not only the history of Madame Restell, but also of the country and New York City...It covers the time and the corruption of New York's infamous Boss Tweed, Lincoln coming into office, the Civil War, and most interesting to me....the way men have always treated women, all over the world, as if they were playthings to be owned and told what to do and be. Again, thank goodness for Madame Restell and her strengths! We need more of her kind today. Thank you to NetGalley and Author, Jennifer Wright, for your miraculous book, (it is a wonderful education in Women's History), and to Hachette Books for the egalley in exchange for this very honest review.
WHAT A FABULOUS BOOK! If I could, I would give it 10 stars!!!

Madame Restell lived and worked in New York City in the 1800s. She grew up in England and moved to America with her husband where she learned sewing. But when she was widowed, she needed to find a more lucrative profession. She turned to a neighbor who taught her how to make abortion pills. Eventually, she also learned how to perform abortions and care for clients in her home. Supposedly, she never lost a client. Unfortunately, competitors and moral value "police" hounded her and threatened her business and lavish lifestyle. While Madam Restell seemed to despise women and prefer men, she provided important healthcare at a time when folks waged a campaign to curtail women's power and restrict their access to healthcare.
This book started out exciting. The author tells a story that feels like a novel. But about halfway through, the book turned heavy. I almost gave up because the content became boring and felt more like a textbook than a story.
Likewise, the end left me feeling hopeless and includes plenty of "othering." I would have preferred an ending that offers information on how readers can be involved in supporting women. For example, links to contact congresspeople, volunteer opportunities with pro-life organizations, details about community activist groups, and health information.
However, the book is written well and I appreciate the extensive source list at the end.

I absolutely loved this book and how easily I was transported back to the mid- late 1800s to Madame Restell's New York. It was written in a way that made history accessible and enjoyable while keeping the integrity of the story as well as the historical facts straight. You can tell as you read it that Jennifer Wright did her research well and connected to the story. It really helped with my own research for my history podcast episode on Madame Restell as well!

This was such a fascinating read! Highly recommended to anyone interested in women's rights and women's medical history. Wright so thoroughly researched the history and the writing was extremely compelling. I'll be thinking about this one for a very long time. We will be purchasing copies for the library for sure.

An unsung (now) but famous or infamous in her own day this book about Madame Restell is fantastic. I loved how Ms Wright weaved a story of not only focusing on Restells profession but the fame fortune and controversy it brought. it also shined a light at how accepted abortion was in the mid-19th century contrary to most of our impressions of Victorian culture. The book also brought Restell's story full circle by showing that the battles she fought are still being fought against the same hypocritical faux-puritans that take over the conversation about womens bodies today.

A timely profile of one of the most notorious women in 19th-century America. Jennifer Wright's Madame Restell follows Ann Trow Lohman, later known as Madame Restell, as she makes her way from a poor single mother working to make ends meet to a wealthy, and very successful abortion provider. Write deftly and empathetically relays Restell's rise and legal troubles.

The book is well researched and extremely detailed. There are, perhaps, a few moments where the tone gets a bit overly girlbossy for me (but she was an early girlboss in many ways, so it's not unfounded). One thing that will bother me, and possibly 4 other people, is an early conflation of textile factory operatives (AKA mill girls) with the needle and garment workers in metropolitan areas.

Overall, a delightful and thorough review of a 19th-century power player and how her ghost seems to be haunting today's political landscape.

There's nothing I like better than well-researched, well-written history that centers on women by women. Madame Restell is all of those things. A very timely story of an abortion provider in the 19th century, one whose name would seemingly be written in our history books but whose story has fallen into obscurity. Such a great read and I will definitely check out other books by this author. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

"Madame Restell" is a fascinating biography of Ann Trow Lohman, a woman who became known as the "Abortionist of Fifth Avenue" in 19th century New York City. Written by Jennifer Wright, the book provides a vivid account of Lohman's life, her controversial career, and the societal issues surrounding reproductive rights during her time.

One of the strengths of this book is the way it explores the complex moral and ethical questions surrounding abortion. Wright presents the issue in a nuanced way, recognizing the difficult choices that women faced during this time and the societal pressures that often led them to seek out illegal abortions. She also highlights the hypocrisy of those who sought to condemn Lohman while turning a blind eye to the poverty and desperation that drove many women to seek her services.

Overall, "Madame Restell" is an excellent biography that sheds light on a little-known figure in American history and the societal issues surrounding reproductive rights. It's a compelling read for anyone interested in women's history, the history of medicine, or the ongoing debate over reproductive rights.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

I didn't like this well enough to give it a positive review. About 10 years ago, I read a fictionalized version of this story that flowed much better. While this book has an important history to bring to light, the author's sparky opinions, while amusing, will give some people an excuse to avoid taking it seriously.