This is an amazing first novel by this author. It held my interest from beginning to end. It is the story of a young Quaker girl who becomes pregnant and then abandoned by her fiancé in 1880's America. I've read this subject before but never so vividly described. Lili De Jong enters a house for unwed mothers as her only choice for survival. She agrees to give up her child until the birth date gets close; then she changes her mind. The struggles that come with this decision are unbelievable. It's difficult for me to understand how people can treat each other this way. Women who should be sympathetic are truly her worst enemies. Parts of this book were hard to read and the story will stay with you a long time.

Stories about new mothers tend to stop with with the birth and the implication that everything will now be all right. Janet Benton’s Lilli de Jong, however, continues after the eponymous character has her daughter in 1883’s Philadelphia. Being a new mother is challenge enough, but Lilli has to contend with prejudice against having children while unmarried, being shunned by her family and church, and not having many ways to make a living for herself and her daughter. Lilli de Jong is a much needed rebuttal to the assumed happily ever after of so many stories about pregnancy.

Lilli, when we first properly meet her after a scene-setting opening chapter, is a good Quaker daughter mourning her mother. Her father has fallen away from the high ideals of their church, to Lilli’s disgust. Yet, Lilli is not entirely a paragon because she decided to sleep with her fiancé before they get married. (Partly because Johan is leaving to get a job in Pittsburgh.) Their one night together results in pregnancy, which Lilli tries to hide for as long as possible.

Once Lilli is too big to hide her condition anymore, she seeks refuge at a women’s charity for unwed mothers. The plan is to give up her child for adoption and pretending that the whole thing never happened. But when Lilli meets her daughter, Charlotte, for the first time, a fierce protective love springs up. Everyone tells Lilli that keeping her child without a husband is impossible. In spite of the horror stories, Lilli seeks a job—eventually finding a position as a wet nurse for a prickly, upper class mother. The job pays well, but comes with heavy emotional costs.

Lilli de Jong is full of ups and downs (mostly downs) for Lilli and Charlotte. If Lilli wasn’t such a striver, I think this book would have been very hard to read. (There are still some very harrowing moments, especially towards the end.) Lilli’s inner grit and her faith—Quakers have a tradition of doing hard things they believe are right, e.g. fighting for abolition and participating in the Underground Railroad—are a wonder to behold because she has such a very difficult life. Lilli de Jong is an intriguing look into the hard parts of being a single mother.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review consideration. It will be released 16 May 2017.

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1883 Philadelphia, former teacher and Quaker Lilli de Jong finds herself pregnant and unwed. Abandoned by her baby's father, Lilli finds herself tormented and full of anguish. Since the death of her mother, Lilli is unable to confide in her father, who soon after her mother's death marries his cousin, so young Lilli decides to leave. Benton's words describing motherhood during the 19th century flow throughout the pages focusing on the challenges that Lilli must face as a single parent, the stigma of being an unwed mother, and the cruel and often unkind and judgmental world that surrounds her daily. This is grueling yet gripping tale that highlights the love and remarkable testament to the work and sacrifices mothers face.

Engaging historical fiction with feminist themes. While some of the plot seemed to defy belief--everything seems to work out for Lilli in the end, despite several instances of seemingly insurmountable adversity--I admired Lilli's fierce dedication to keeping her baby, despite the social stigma and financial challenges she faced. The pacing was great and I feel this would be an excellent choice for a book discussion. Despite a pat ending, I think lots of people will enjoy reading this one.

This is a powerful story that you won’t want to miss. Lilli is a young Quaker woman in 19th century Philadelphia. A night alone with her fiancé leaves her pregnant, and his departure to Pittsburgh to find work leaves her a shamed woman. After being rejected by her father and stepmother, she finds herself in a charity for unmarried pregnant women. The charity expects that the girls will give their babies up for adoption, but Lilli cannot bear to do so. This decision leads her on a circuitous route just to survive.

I found this story very moving. The circumstances Lilli faces are gut-wrenching to read about but her determination is an inspiration. The author has carefully crafted Lilli’s story and her research and attention to detail shows through as she presents the way of life and the culture of the period. I highly recommend this story to all lovers of fiction.