cover image Fettered for Life

Fettered for Life

Lillie Devereaux Blake, Lillie Devereaux Blake. Feminist Press, $22.95 (432pp) ISBN 978-1-55861-155-9

Subtitled Lord and Master, Blake's tale originally was published in 1874 and gives today's reader an authoritative insight into the status of women in the 19th century, as well as an unexpectedly relevant narrative. As Grace Farrell's useful afterword notes, Blake, who worked with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony for woman's suffrage, was one of the leading feminists of the time. She tells the story of Laura Stanley, a young woman who arrives in New York City to seek her fortune. From a wealthy farm family, Laura leaves the questionable comforts of home, trading her father's oppression for the chance to use her education to support herself. Once in the city, Laura quickly realizes that there is little opportunity and many obstacles for a woman on her own. From the corrupt judge and politician who tries to kidnap her to the boss who pays her less than the man who previously had her job, Laura is exposed at every turn to society's biases against women. As Laura faces these prejudices, she is also exposed to another very modern problem that women must face-that of negotiating the line between love and retaining one's independence in a relationship with a man. Blake's novel should be appreciated not only for its historical insight, but for the surprisingly good read that it is. (Jan.)