The Briar Club

by Kate Quinn

“Which is mostly what people mean when they say ‘life isn’t fair.’ It isn’t, which is why people should endeavor to be more fair to one another, not less.”

she waved at the Bill of Rights, including its sister documents off in the Library of Congress—“this unites us. A government established for an articulated principle, not tribal allegiances or lines drawn on a map.” “Has it made us any better?” Xavier’s eyes were intent.

I wasn’t asking to be given everything on a silver platter when I came here, Reka thought, still thinking of Lady Liberty. I was always willing to pay my way, earn my share. So why did you have to welcome me with one hand and take everything I had left with the other?

Wouldn’t it be against his religion, helping to limit families?” “Uncle John says he believed that for a long time, but that a man changes his mind after forty years treating women worn to the bone by eight, nine, ten pregnancies in ten years.”

the doctor just gave me a lecture that I’d have to take whatever God sent me. Why?” Fliss burst out. “Women have to plan out every moment of their lives, from wash on Monday, iron on Tuesday all the way through to rest on Sunday. So why aren’t we allowed to plan this? Something that

derails our whole lives, all the other plans . . .”