A really well researched and interested book that really makes you think about how life was for these women who found themselves in this position in Victorian England.

NetGalley, Victoria King

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

"To be a prostitute was a sin, but to use one was okay."

My heart is broken for these women. Well written and researched. It's gut wrenching and terribly sad.

The quotes say it best.

"A desperately poor woman on the verge of death from lack of food was held as morally superior to the woman who offered her body to pay for food to keep her children alive."

NetGalley, Belle Hart

Any avid reader of women's history, particularly topics you are not taught in school, should absolutely be curious to read this book and become enlightened by it. With meticulous, organized research and writing done by Richardson, this book thoroughly explained the standards of Victorian society and how prostitution was a large hidden aspect of that society. Enjoyed this read!

NetGalley, Tristan Davis

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I recently had the pleasure of reading Exploring the Lives of Victoruan England's Prostitutes, and it was an enriching and informative experience. The author’s approach to the subject matter is both insightful and accessible, making complex ideas easy to understand without oversimplifying them. I found myself engaged from the very first chapter, eager to learn more and see how the concepts would unfold.

One of the aspects I appreciated most about this book was the depth of research and the clarity with which the information was presented. The author has done an excellent job of breaking down the key points and supporting them with real-world examples and data, which added a great deal of credibility to the arguments made. The book also offers practical takeaways that I found valuable and applicable to my own life.

In addition to the well-organized content, the themes explored in Exploring the Lives of Victorian England's Prostitiutes were thought-provoking and have given me a new perspective on the topic. The book encouraged me to reflect on my own views and practices, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to expand my understanding.

I will certainly be recommending this book to my friends, colleagues, and anyone interested in history. It’s a book that I believe will resonate with many readers, whether they are new to the topic or have a background in it. The insights offered are not only educational but also relevant to today’s world, making it a timely and important read.

I look forward to discussing this book with others and seeing the impact it has on them. It’s a book I’ll be returning to for reference and reflection, and I’m excited to explore more of the author’s work in the future.

NetGalley, Joseph Bruce

This book challenges the stereotypical Victorian view of prostitutes, which reduced them to victims or social evils. By delving into historical records, the author uncovers the diverse and complex lives of these women, revealing their humanity and individuality. From rural villages to bustling cities, the book sheds light on the realities of prostitution in Victorian England, exploring the factors that led women into this profession and the varied paths their lives took.

This book is emotionally challenging to read. While it reveals that these women had a certain degree of agency, they were still exploited and dehumanized while living in desperate conditions. The use of primary sources forces the reader to confront these women not as abstractions but as human individuals with names and histories. It’s an indictment of a society that offered low pay and few protections for unmarried women, while treating the men who exploited them as blameless. The book is both eye-opening and heartbreaking.

NetGalley, Andrea Romance

We thoroughly recommend this book to any lover of the Victorian period!

Read the Full Review Here

History With Jackson

In this fascinating insight into the lives of nineteenth century sex workers, Claire Richardson explores how and why these women ended up in this profession. A result of their social and economic circumstances, Richardson challenges the negative stereotypes and misconceptions, both contemporary and modern, of prostitution and sex work in Victorian England in this complex, detailed, and incredibly personal history book. Taking surviving records and the narratives of many different women who became prostitutes through diverse ways. Richardson’s book shows that prostitution was not inescapable, limited to London, or the societal scourge that it is so often portrayed as. Richardson’s book focuses on every element of these women’s lives before, during, and after their time as a prostitute in an attempt to understand the historical and social events responsible for their position at the bottom of Victorian society. Her prose is clear and comprehensive, and she does an excellent job of organizing the chapters of this book thematically to allow readers to gain a multifaceted knowledge of Victorian prostitution. An important addition to current scholarship on Victorian women’s history, historians both professional and amateur will enjoy the products of Richardson’s work and the importance of this research to the larger histories of Victorian England.

NetGalley, Lily Amidon

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

We talk about these women when we talk about the Ripper but there's more and their life was more than a name in a list of women killed.
Well researched and informative
Highly recommended.

NetGalley, Anna Maria Giacomasso

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is not a book about sex. This is a book about poor Victorian women living on the very edge of society’.

This really surprised me, I was filled with many emotion’s while reading this, many of which were sad and angry.

How women were treated to begin with was awful, for many they had no choice but to choose this profession which then led to constant stigma.

‘Once names a prostitute, it could be very difficult for a woman to cut the label from her neck’.

A must read for history readers.

NetGalley, Georgi Lvs Books

I enjoyed this book. It's a very straightforward telling of the lives of prostitutes in the victorian era.
The information shared is done so in a factually but non judgmental way.

I'm fascinated by the lives of prostitutes throughout the ages and how different cultures viewed them differently. So I found this book had some good information about them in the victorian times. It was backed up nicely with links to source material which is always good if like me you like to dig a little deeper.

All in all a good book in my opinion

NetGalley, Helen Macneil

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

These poor ladies, most of them led such terrible lives. This was a sometimes hard to read book but at the same time engaging and well written!

NetGalley, Heather Bennett

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is an exceptional book. It’s one which I strongly believe should be on every school curriculum because it’s real social history, not ‘truth’ as perceived and shaped by myth and misogyny. It’s grossly unfair that everyone remembers the Ripper, either Jack or Yorkshire, but few are able to name a single victim. The unfortunate victims have largely been written out of history because they were prostitutes ( and in fact not all were involved in prostitution).

Claire Richardson has done an incredible job of giving life and substance to women whose voice would not otherwise be heard. This book is their story and it deserves to be told because it speaks volumes for the way women were (and continue to be) dismissed as irrelevant. Each of their lives had value, but because they were involved with prostitution, they were condemned to a life of distress and poverty. Few were able to change the course of their life. The research in piecing together the background to each of the ladies depicted appears to be meticulous and there’s much food for thought. Their stories are often heartbreaking and raise interesting questions about how our society is structured and make dominated. This is a powerful read, well written and of interest to anyone keen on social history.

NetGalley, Anita Wallas

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I absolutely loved reading this book, even as someone who is rather new to nonfiction. Originally I found myself a bit intimidated by the research heavy nature of the beginning, but as the novel took off it became riveting. The depth of the research conducted melds effortlessly with the stories of hearty, badass women, to create something unique and incredible. I would recommend this book to anyone with even the slightest interest in the subject matter, as it's enlightening and empowering.

I can't wait to read more books by this author and this publisher!

NetGalley, Jaden Jones

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Before reading this I didn't know much about prostitutes during the Victorian era but this book went into so much detail about why and how. Very informative read overall.

NetGalley, A D

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

"Exploring the Lives of Victorian England Prostitutes" by Claire Richardson is a meticulously researched and insightful look into the lives of women in the sex trade during the Victorian era. The book is packed with fascinating stories and historical details, and Richardson's writing is clear, engaging, and accessible.

I was particularly impressed by the author's sensitive and non-judgmental approach to the subject. She presents the women's stories with compassion and empathy, without sensationalism or moralizing. Instead, she highlights the social and economic factors that shaped their lives, such as poverty, lack of education, and gender inequality.

The book also explores the broader historical context, including the social and political changes that affected the sex trade during the Victorian era. Richardson's analysis is nuanced and thoughtful, and she raises important questions about the nature of prostitution, the role of women in society, and the impact of social and economic policies on marginalized communities.

It's a great resource for historians, scholars, and anyone interested in gender studies, social justice, and the history of sexuality. Richardson's book is a valuable contribution to our understanding of the past and its ongoing impact on our present and future.

NetGalley, Aliya Miah

Provides a fascinating look at the lives of sex workers in Victorian England. I love it that this book made it clear that it wasn’t about sex, but rather about the women and girls behind the profession. It also made it clear yet again that sex workers should NOT be held legally responsible for their “crimes.” Instead, we must work as a society to dismantle the systems in place that can make sex work seem like the only viable option.

NetGalley, April A. Taylor

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Incredible research and a boots-on-the-ground of the lives of sex workers in Victorian England. If you've got even a passing interest in what day-to-day life was like for these gals, this book will keep you glued to the pages at any spare moment.

NetGalley, Haley Zapal