I am in charge of our Senior School library and am looking for a diverse array of new books to furnish their shelves with and inspire our young people to read a wider and more diverse range of books as they move through the senior school. It is hard sometimes to find books that will grab the attention of young people as their time is short and we are competing against technology and online entertainments.
This was a thought-provoking and well-written read that will appeal to young readers across the board. It had a really strong voice and a compelling narrative that I think would capture their attention and draw them in. It kept me engrossed and I think that it's so important that the books that we purchase for both our young people and our staff are appealing to as broad a range of readers as possible - as well as providing them with something a little 'different' that they might not have come across in school libraries before.
This was a really enjoyable read and I will definitely be purchasing a copy for school so that our young people can enjoy it for themselves. A satisfying and well-crafted read that I keep thinking about long after closing its final page - and that definitely makes it a must-buy for me!

There are many in history whose voices and stories have been lost or deemed unimportant. How are we to learn from our history when we only pay attention to a select group of individuals? Each life has importance and each story deserves to be preserved. Lilli de Jong explores one such voice.

Lilli finds herself pregnant and alone during a time when there is very little compassion for such a situation. She has to leave her home to save what is left of their reputation and is essentially deserted with no one to turn to. She decides to keep and try to raise her child without really understanding what that may entail for her. To be honest, I didn't know much about what sort of obstacles could stand in her way either. It's shocking and difficult to truly comprehend.

All in all, this is a tale of strength and resilience that needs to be read by those with and without children, men and women alike. It's a beautifully crafted novel that will leave you changed with a tad more compassion towards others.

ARC provided by NetGalley

I received this from Netgalley for an honest review.

This story about a new unwed mother trying to find herself in a world that wishes to hide her situation is one of motivation for feminism.

This is an interesting choice for a debut read, but it does opens ones eyes on the struggles of being a women, when it seems that the world is totally against you.

Lilli de Jong was about a young woman who became pregnant with a child out of wedlock. After her lover abandoned her, she was banished from her Quaker home and from everything she ever knew. She entered a charity to deliver her child, but when it became time to give her daughter up for adoption, she realized that she could not bear to – the bond between them was already too strong. She was adamant that keeping her daughter was the best course of action for them both, and she was determined to carve a life out for them in a society which was morally against single, unwed mothers.

I really enjoyed the writing style of this book, which was both engaging and insightful. Told through Lilli’s diary entries, the story became personal. There were a lot of short yet insightful quotes, such as “How is it that shame affixes itself to the violated, and not to the violator?” that really made me stop and think. Even though the story was set in the 1880s, a lot of commentary about the life of women – the subtleties rather than the overt – were comparable to life today.

I also really liked Lilli’s character. She made mistakes - a lot of mistakes - but that just showed she was human. She cared about her daughter Charlotte and wanted to provide the best life she could. In the end, the tone was a hopeful one: even when something terrible happened, Lilli managed to come out on top – with luck, with the help of others, and with sheer will.

Overall, I’d place this book around 3.5, however, I decided to round up to 4 stars. Not only did I round up because I liked the story, but I felt nostalgic toward the setting of Germantown, Philadelphia, because I too grew up in a suburb right outside of Philadelphia, so I particularly enjoyed reading about Philadelphia in the 1880s!

Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for a copy of this eBook in exchange for an honest review!

"Lilli De Jong" is a very assured debut novel by Janet Benton about a young Quaker woman in 1880's Philadelphia who is pregnant and abandoned by her lover. Turned adrift by her family to face life on her own, Lilli finds options are very limited for unwed mothers. Shunned by society and unable to earn a decent wage, Lilli finds herself in a charity home for young women who are in her situation. Most of the young women there give up their infants at birth - it's almost impossible to survive with a child when no one will hire a "ruined woman." Lilli, however, falls in love with her newborn daughter, Charlotte, and undertakes a desperate fight to keep her daughter at her side.

I enjoy historical novels that allow you a glimpse into another time and another life. I often take for granted the many liberties I have in my life - books like these are a good reminder of how much progress has been made in the treatment of women, although I know there is still a long way yet to go.

Where this novel really shines is in Benton's writing about Lilli's love for Charlotte - all things motherhood and babies is as beautifully and delicately rendered as a Madonna and child painting. Benton has a gift and it was a pleasure to fall into her lovely writing.

I found the ending a bit flat and pat after all of Lilli's trials, but nevertheless, an impressive debut.

Thanks to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for an ARC of this novel. My review, however, is based on the hardcover edition.

This book is haunted by the ghost of Dickens.
This review is in exchange for a free e-galley from netgalley.com.

Lilli de Jong is a powerful story of a mother's unfailing love for her child. Within a year of her mother's death Lilli's world has taken a complete about face, gone is her sense of security and all she believed in. Left to her own devices at the age of 23 she is alone and pregnant. Told through diary entries the reader is given such a vivid picture of what the scorned of society had to endure.

As I was reading I figured a 4 star was due here, but once I hit the half way mark I could not put this down. I bounced this up to 5 stars for so many reasons. First off, the story, I am not sure what I expected with this one but I got so much more. The author didn't hold back as she described life for an unwed mother, not just what mom had to endure but these unwelcomed babies as well. It sure did open my eyes and make me very grateful not to have to witness any of that. Told from Lilli's point of view made it all the more emotional and you could feel her desperation, feelings of hopelessness as well as her determination to not just survive but build a life for her child as well.

This is the author's debut!? Wow I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. Suffice to say this was an engaging story, the author stayed true to the time period and it's obvious she spent a fair amount of time researching for this book, it wasn't hard to feel like I was transported to back to 1883. Definitely a book I highly recommend.

Banished from the quaker society, Lilli flees into the arms of her lover. One day, her lover abandons her and Lilli is pregnant. With no one to turn to, Lilli is forced to give birth at an institution for unwed mothers. Unwilling to give up her child, Lilli is willing to do whatever it takes to keep her. However, hardship takes over when Lilli is forced to endure the shame of being an unwed single mother. The story focuses on Lilli’s trials as well as the love she bores for her daughter.

Lilli is truly an admirable character. I truly wept at every horrible thing that happened to her. Lilli is a brave and determined character to go such unbearable lengths in order to keep her daughter. Through these events, you can see how her love shines for her baby. Therefore, Lilli is very resilient and is one of the strongest characters that I have ever come across. Readers will be able to empathize with Lilli and root for her to find her own happiness.

Overall, this book is about love, motherhood, and sacrifice. All of the characters were well-developed. I thought the gritty setting of the dirty streets and poverty portrayed a realistic setting of the hardships that Lilli endured. This was a very emotional read. There were a few times that I put the book down and watched tv instead because there were some graphic scenes that made me uncomfortable. I even had to watch a feel-good movie because some of the obstacles she endured became too much for me to read in one sitting. Despite these reasons for putting this book down a few times, Lilli de Jong is an important book that needs to be read. This novel is a tribute for single mothers and is truly a jewel. This book will appeal to any parent, grandparent, or anyone who just loves a story of human endurance and the power of love.

Lilli De Jong is a young woman who grew up in the Quaker faith in Germantown, Pennsylvania. She enjoys her post as a schoolteacher and is engaged in her 1883 community. However, when her mother passes, Lilli's life takes a turn. Lilli's father turns cold and Lilli seeks solace in the arms of Johan, her father's apprentice. One night of passion leaves Lilli pregnant after Johan has moved to Pittsburgh for work in the steel mills. With no news from Johan, Lilli finds herself at a charity of unwed mothers. However, when the time comes to give up her daughter, she can't, throwing Lilli down a path of hardship all for the sake of her daughter.

Intimate details of Lilli's hardships are shown through her private journal entries, pulling me into the unknown world of wet nurses and limited women's rights at the time. Reading Lilli's journey was an intensely emotional experience for me, as I imagine it would be for anyone who has had a child. I was most impressed by the writing of the reality of having a baby and the overwhelmingness of it all. I could not imagine having to go through what Lilli did. I was happy that the writing included the true feelings of new motherhood- the ups, the downs, the fatigue, not knowing if you can carry on, all while falling hopelessly in love with the person you have created. Lilli's voice is unique in that she is an intelligent, outspoken and passionate woman who has fallen into an unfortunate circumstance for her time period. However, even with these attributes, she is barely able to pull through as an unmarried mother in 19th century America. I am aware that being an unmarried mother definitely had its challenges in early American history, although I was surprised at some of the challenges Lilli faced and how they paralleled mothers in today's society. Overall, a passionate and engaging book about the bond between mother and child and the will to conserve that bond in 19th Century America.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

Loved this book
Didn't want it to end
Highly recommended

Fabulous historical fiction! A heartbreaking account of a young unwed Quaker woman in 1880s Philadelphia who, against all odds, decides to keep her baby rather than giving her up as is expected. As a mother myself I found the breastfeeding and wet nurse storylines to be incredibly compelling, and was horrified at the treatment of infants during that time period. Lilli is an incredibly strong female character and I loved the research provided at the end of the book.

From the author's note: "I wanted to give voice to a deserted woman in 1883 who asserts the value of her bond with her infant - and to show how obstacles of prejudice and inequality littered their way."

For fans of historical fiction and those who are drawn to tales of motherhood - pick this up ASAP!

Lilli has big hopes for the future. Her brother and her fiance have gone to find good jobs and have promised to send for her when they are settled. But her life quickly takes a turn when she discovers she is pregnant. There is no way her father and new stepmother or Quaker community will support her, so Lilli finds sanctuary at the Philadelphia Haven for Women and Infants. After her daughter is born, she is expected to give her up and go back to her life. But Lilli quickly learns that she cannot part with her baby and decides to do whatever it takes to keep her child safe.

Lilli de Jong is told as a series of diary entries as Lilli details the love she shares with Johan, her hopes for the future, and her quick descent from an honorable woman to someone with no place to call home. In some ways, this book reminded me of Pamela, where we see seemingly the whole world act cruelly towards one young woman. But Benton does a wonderful job of showing just how impossible it was to be a single mother in the 19th century. It's sobering to think about how things have changed and how they still haven't; if you are a parent and have no one to care for your child, how can you work? If you can't work, how can you provide for a child? Through it all, Lilli remains steadfast and determined to keep the child she loves.

Lilli de Jong
By Janet Benton
Nan A. Talese May 2017
352 pages
Read via Netgalley

No, thank you very much, I do not want to start another book. I want the taste of this morsel to stay on my tongue. I don’t want to blink away the dirty streets of Philadelphia in the late 1800s; I want the whole scene to stay vivid in my mind’s eye. I want the feeling of Lilli de Jong’s love for her baby, her fierce determination, to remain front and center in my heart. I want the happiness of reading this gorgeous book to stay seated in the front row of my soul. Wouldn’t it be unfaithful to let myself go flitting, all la-dee-da, over to another book? I owe it to myself to hold this happiness tight, while it’s nice and ripe.

I can tell when I stay all serious instead of cracking jokes that this one really got under my skin. I wasn’t particularly drawn to this book before I started reading it. I’m a modern gal, and historical fiction usually doesn’t do it for me. And Lilli de Jong is a Quaker, which was a drawback, because I run in the other direction when there’s a hint of religion, and I was pretty sure there would be some God stuff going on. And since it was about an unwed mother, I figured there’d be a lot of soap.

In fact, when I finished the book and was raving about it to hubby, he said, “Sounds like a soap opera.” Oh my God, it most definitely is not like a soap opera. There is drama but it’s real drama, not melodramatic bull. It’s a tale of survival. And Lilli is this complex, passionate woman who faces horrible choices, horrible realities.

Any sadness and desperation Lilli feels is eclipsed by her love for her baby and her single-minded determination to ensure that her baby survives. She keeps her eye on the ball. And believe me, she has to stoop to doing some horrible things. She bravely takes risks that made me cringe and squirm, and when things didn’t always work out, it killed me. Yet at the same time, I completely understood why she did the things she did. I’ve never read a story about a mother with such an insanely strong attachment to her baby; she was such an intense momma bear.

The writing is so good that I wasn’t even aware that I was reading a book. It just swept me along, and I was right there beside Lilli. “Oh no, don’t do that, Lilli!,” I wanted to scream, while at the same time I was grimacing and thinking, “Go ahead. You must! Hurry up! You have no choice!” It seemed like I was feeling the same thing she was feeling. Oh man did I fret. The worry I felt was insane, my whole self was twitchy. I felt her desperation acutely, and I forgave her as she made some awful choices. What would I have done in her place? This question kept popping into my head. You can’t always take the moral high road if it’s a question of life and death.

I didn’t know that a character like Lilli had the power to create such an emotional reaction in me. I could not have kept my distance if I tried: I felt Lilli’s love toward her baby, I felt her incessant worry. I even felt the baby's moments of distress and joy. I smelled the bad city smells, I smelled people’s sweat. I heard the horses pulling carriages, the baby’s cries.

Lilli is definitely one of the most sympathetic characters I’ve ever run across. She’s a regular person that ends up in an impossible situation, all because of the century she was born into. The fact that she hadn’t done anything wrong and that she was so relatable (especially her momma-bear behavior) made it all seem more tragic. The reality of her times—the fact that an unwed mother is screwed, and that poverty and disease are so often killers—is depressing and sobering. It was brutal; how lucky we are that women no longer have to live like they did. I really didn’t know anything about life back then, so I was also hungrily gulping down history as I went along. (This from someone who usually doesn’t have any interest in history.) I never knew, for instance, how common wet nurses were and what their lives were like.

I know this book is fiction, but the author did her research and intended the book to be true to the times. She included a lengthy note (which I highly recommend reading) saying how she researched the time period and the place (Philadelphia), as well as homes for unwed mothers, laws, and the life and language of Quakers. She really did her homework and strove to give a picture of what it would have been like for a person in Lilli’s shoes. I was super impressed.

At first I thought this book would appeal only to mothers, especially those who have breastfed (there is a lot of milk!). But after finishing it, I’m thinking the appeal is much, much broader. I would love to hear what men think of it—so guy friends, please give it a try!

Besides Lilli being this fabulously well-drawn character, the book has other merits: The pacing is perfect and there is lots of adventure and suspense. The story is in the form of Lilli’s journal. Man, does the first-person work for me--journals always seem so cozy and honest and conversational. There is more description than I usually like, but as happens when I’m totally absorbed, I thought it was just fine, lol.

The language sounds like the language of books written in the nineteenth century—sort of proper-sounding, and it seemed realistic. The setting and the squalor reminded me of works by Dickens, only this book was way more accessible and much less dense.

Now about the religion—there is a scattering of God talk, but I mostly just flew over it. It did not get as much air time as I might have feared. And I realized that since Lilli is a Quaker, some religious stuff is to be expected. It didn’t hinder my love of this book at all.

This book tore me apart. I can think of only a few other books that have had such an emotional impact on me: An Untamed State, Golden Boy, and We Need to Talk About Kevin. This book joins their ranks.

A book like this makes me realize why I love literature. To be able to be transported to another time and place, to inhabit the skin of a make-believe person, is surreal, and only a master storyteller can make this happen. I will absolutely be waiting for Benton’s next book.

I realize I’ve made this book sound sad. Well, there is a lot of sadness and many disasters, but there is also some light.

Obviously, I cannot stop thinking about this book, or talking about it, for that matter. I think this would be a great book club read. And I would jump for joy if it were made into a movie.

Non-stop intense. Non-stop edge of your seat. Un-put-down-able and highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Every other door...is closed to her who, unmarried, is about to become a mother. Deliberate, calculating villainy, fraud, outrage, burglary, or even murder with malice aforethought, seems to excite more sympathy, more helpful pity, more efforts for the reclamation of the transgressors than are shown towards whose who, if not the victims of others, are at the worst but illustrations of human infirmity." - Annual Report of the State Hospital for Women and Infants, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1880

5 strong stars.

I love good historical fiction, and this one checks all the boxes: well-developed characters, fabulous writing, and a properly developed plot where I learn something new.

In Benton's novel we meet Lilli de Jong, a young Quaker teacher, who is unofficially engaged to a young man she deeply loves. He leaves their small town with a promise to send for Lilli once he has found a better job, and once he has left Lilli discovers she is pregnant. Shunned by her family, Lilli finds refuge at the State Hospital for Women and Infants on the condition that she will give her baby up for adoption once it is born.

Benton exquisitely tells the tale of what life was like for unwed mothers in the late 1800s -- the horrors of state-run orphanages, the employment prospects for unwed mothers, the use of wet nurses by the upper classes, and more. While the entire novel is fantastic, I also recommend reading the author's note at the end of the book, which includes interesting historical information.

Reading historical fiction is always an interesting exercise because as readers we can see what has changed with time and what hasn't. Where as a society have we become more enlightened and compassionate, and where do we still need work? This book certainly had me reflecting on how society has viewed women throughout history. How far we've come -- and yet, how far we still have to go.

Thank you to NetGalley and Nan A. Talese for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lilli De Jong is living in Philadelphia with a conservative community of Quakers in 1883. She is in love with Johan who is leaving to look for work in Pittsburgh and once established will send for her. They both would like to marry. A mishap occurs and Lilli finds out that she is pregnant after Johan leaves town. She is in a difficult situation because she has not heard from Johan during her pregnancy.

The options are bleak for an unwed mother should she decide to keep her baby. She is left with three options surrounding the birth of her child. Put the baby up for adoption and go back to her former life. Keep her baby and live a life filled with hardships and negative social stigma. Search for her fiance and pursue marriage while finding a means to support herself and her child. Lilli decides to leave home to have her baby at a haven for unwed mothers. She will delay her decision until the baby is born.

This novel is a wonderful story about love and the intense bond that a mother instantaneously feels for her child. This book made me appreciate how society has changed for women and how much easier our lives are today. This is a beautiful debut novel by Janet Benton and one of my favorite reads of the year.

I didn't connect to literally anything in this story, and felt like I wasted the three hours it took to read. Not my thing.

I remember requesting this like six months ago because I love stories about strong women facing difficulties and it was set at the end of the XIX century. This was the story of a pregnant woman called Lilli, who decides to keep her daughter even though she knows she has no husband, money or job. She tries to do everything she can in order to save her baby and herself and eventually find a place to call home.

This was a typical case of the story being appealing but me not feeling attached to the characters nor the writing. There were too many descriptions about nursing babies and taking care of children and I felt I would've enjoyed this one way more if I had watched it as a film. I liked the first part and the ending, but I became bored when reading the middle section. The slow pace didn't bother me, but I didn't like Lilli that much either and that prevented me from enjoying it more.

This one has glowing reviews, so don't hesitate to give it a go if you think you'd be interested. It's a story about mothers and daughters and overcoming life's struggles. I thought I'd like it more because at some point it reminded me of The Waterloo Bridge (a classic film I absolutely love), but it ended up letting me down.

Really good read.I was completely won over by the character of Lilli. I felt her anguish and her fears and her frustrations. The book was also a great portrayal of time and place and a sad look at how vulnerable women were throughout history, especially as it pertained to motherhood. My only criticism is that I thought the end wrapped up a little abruptly but it was a minor issue for me. It was a captivating story.

A gripping story that kept me rooting for Lilli and her baby all the way through. To find yourself an unwed mother in 1883 must have been a harrowing experience, but it must have been all the more so for girls like Lilli, who were educated and intelligent. The book is an emotional experience. I wanted Lilli to get out of the downward spiral she was in, but instead at every turn she Lilli finds herself facing new obstacles. She is a complex character and never makes easy choices, unlike so many other women in her predicament. She just wants her child to have a future with her. The novel is well researched, the writing is excellent and the story never leaves you till the very end. Highly recommended!

There isn’t much happy going on in this book but then, finding yourself single and pregnant in the late 19th century you not expect to find a break. Life for women was hard and being a single mother branded you for an even harder life.
Lilli DeJong Quaker family casts her out when her condition becomes evident. She finds shelter in a home for unwed mothers but the understanding is that in return for her care she will give (sell) the baby for adoption. Lilli thinks this is her only choice considering her circumstances but once she sees her daughter and is allowed to feed and care for her the first three weeks of her child’s life, Lilli knows the last thing she will do is give her up.
But she is unemployable for any position except as a wet nurse, which she accepts. It breaks her heart to be giving another baby her own milk while she boards her daughter with someone else. Lilli never stops trying to have her baby with her, no matter the hardship or consequences, even if it means they die in each other’s arms.
This historical novel reads as a novel but the information about the conditions for women like Lilli, the Victorian societal restrictions, the homes for mothers, the possibilities available to them in giving their babies to what are called baby farms, hovels where babies die rather than thrive, the life of a wet nurse, all make this an amazing treatise to the tie between mothers and their babies.
I was absolutely spellbound by this book. The historical perspective was spot on, the story was seamless. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this!