Storyville

This is the story of two very different women living in 1880s New Orleans. Innocent Kate - seduced by a rake and abandoned - turns to a life of prostitution to support herself. She wins the heart of the wealthy son of a distinguished New Orleans family. Meanwhile, transplanted Boston blueblood, suffragette Julia, has just discovered that her husband Charles owns brothels in Storyville, the prostitution district of New Orleans.

This severely damages their marriage through Julia's bitterness and lack of trust. Eventually, tragedy adds another dimension to their domestic squabbling; then Julia befriends the luckless Kate and comes into her own as a activist for women's rights. I liked this story very much, although I did think that it was a show more little slow for me to get into at the beginning. I give it an A+! show less

It's the late 1800s in New Orleans and "the district" has been legalized thanks to Alderman Storey. The plot is weak; the last chapter moves several decades forward. The characters are not well-developed. I think the author was trying to commend the women for their foresight, business acumen and independence ... but then again ... Basically this is a poorly crafted soap opera.

A fascinating look at two women, one from society and one from the red light district and the extraordinary lives they lived at the turn of the twentieth century.

http://nicolewbrown.blogspot.com/2014/10/storyville-by-louis-battle.html

Suicide was a plan even the most helpless could carry out. Two bottles of sleeping syrup and a bottle of whiskey. Rocked to sleep in the bosom of the deep. It was a comforting thought, better than a pile of money because no one could take it away from you.
--Lois Battle (Storyville p 378)

This book has been one of my favorites , Julia is a wonderful leading lady, some one I would want to know.

wonderful... just wonderful. deep story, believable characters, soulful journey... everything good literature needs is in this book.

Good read, very enjoyable.