Fettered For Life

by Lillie Devereaux Blake, Grace Farrell (Afterword)

First published in 1874, FETTERED FOR LIFE is both a page-turning melodrama and a classic of subversive literature. As young Laura Stanley struggles to make her way independently in New York City, she faces prejudices, limitations, and dangers based upon her gender. She also encounters a colorful cast of villains and heroes representing a cross-section of New York society: a vile and corrupt judge, a working-class wife-batterer, a suffragist woman doctor, a gutsy washer-woman, a female crossdresser, and the young man who must accept Laura as an equal before he can win her love. Through the plot’s many twists, the author’s uncompromising view of gender relations comes through: Only when women are allowed their full share of humanity and autonomy can a marriage of true minds take place.

Genres: Fiction, Classics, Read For School

436 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 1996

About the author

Born Elizabeth Johnson Devereux, suffragist and reformer.

Reviews

[allison riera :)]

actually enjoyed this. a nice break from reading complicated & wordy articles, speeches, & essays. also that plot twist. 0_0

[lidia · Rating 4 out of 5]

blake, the woman that you are🫶🏻

[Agnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was originally published in 1874, a "lost" novel. Thank you Feminist Press for bringing books back to life. It was a little heavy handed, but then when it was written women were fighting for the vote (and not to be kidnapped & chloroformed in NYC!). I enjoyed it for what it was, but I'm never going to say "OMG you HAVE to read this!"

[Tracy Pogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know why I love this so much. Maybe, because Laura just wants to know that she can make it on her own and doesn't have to depend on anyone. Whatever the reason, I can read this book over and over again!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is utterly depressing how relevant a feminist novel written in the 1870's feels today. But it's also a fascinating read, and the writing style is very accessible and easy to read.

[Katie Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tbh 4.5 it was wild and I loved it

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I surprisingly liked this book. It was an easy read and actually engaging. Devereaux Blake is lowkey an icon <3

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Verrückt wie ein Buch, das im vorletzten Jahrhundert geschrieben wurde auch heute noch viel Parallelen aufzeigt. Parallelen der Unterdrückung des weiblichen Geschlechts....

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am almost finding it impossible to review this book without spoiling the surprise, because my favorite thing about it was when I finally guessed the secret of one of the main characters. I didn't have to wait until he revealed it explicitly but it did take me a really long time to guess and when it finally clicked I was absolutely surprised and electrified. It's an American novel from 1874 touting women's rights and showing how hard life is for women in the big city (NY) b/c of how limited their choices are and how little respect they get. There are some truly evil male characters who are constantly preying on young women's virtue (our heroine is nearly abducted several times), but there is one guy who is not a big jerk and is able to capture the heart of the main character. (That's not a spoiler- this genre of book always turns out that way.) It is the kind of old fashioned book that I like, although I don't know if it would be as interesting to other people. It's a bit didactic with its explicit agenda, but there are lots of more interesting possible hidden agendas to speculate on.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think this is the edition that I read, but I am sure it is the same book. I had to read this in college for a class on women in literature and culture and really enjoyed it. The book revolves around feminist issues and has a surprise twist ending.

[Francie Shoemaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one just made me sick, that women could put up with this kind of treatment for so long.

[Stephanie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weird and interesting read.

[Synve E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel reads almost like an essay. It repeats scenarios and dialogues to underline its point, and its reformative qualities are convincing enough. A strange and interesting read.