“Hill is deliciously unsentimental and humanist in her rendering of these women and their world, resulting in a historical novel that feels both accurate and strikingly modern. A delight from start to finish.”
—Rufi Thorpe, author of The Knockout Queen, a PEN/Faulkner finalist
“With meticulous research and concise writing, Kelly Hill draws us into a world where—as is so often the case—good intentions belie painful shortcomings on both the individual and societal levels. Realized deftly and with an unflinching hand, her character studies entertain and enlighten. A great read on so many levels.”
—David Dominé, author of A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City
“Founded in 1876, the Home for Friendless Women in Louisville offered refuge to “fallen” women—those who were pregnant and had no other options. Intrigued by the cryptic historical records, debut author Hill creates a story spanning from 1877 to 1901 and imagines the personalities and circumstances of several of the mothers (“inmates”), such as bluestocking Rose and queer, worldly-wise sex worker Belle, as they pass through the Home. . . . The memorable characters who emerge from the pages leave little doubt in the reader’s mind that while they may be oppressed, they aren’t fools. . . . Share this with those seeking historical novels that focus on women’s lives and social inequity.”
—Booklist
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