In 1810; a Scottish student named Jane Cumming accused her school mistresses; Jane Pirie and Marianne Woods; of having an affair in the presence of their students. Dame Cumming Gordon; the wealthy and powerful grandmother of the accusing student; advises her friends to remove their daughters from the Drumsheugh boarding school. Within days; the institution is deserted and two women are deprived of their livelihoods.Award-winning author Lillian Faderman recreates the events surrounding this notorious case; which became the basis for Lillian Hellmanrsquo;s famous play; The Childrenrsquo;s Hour. Reconstructing the libel suit filed by Pirie and Woods; which resulted in a scotch verdict; or a verdict of inconclusive/not proven; Faderman builds a compelling narrative from court transcripts; judgersquo;s notes; witnessesrsquo; contradictory testimony; and the prejudices of the men presiding over the case. Her fascinating portrait documents the social; economic; and sexual pressures that shaped the lives of nineteenth-century women and the issues of class and gender that contributed to their marginalization.
#1037373 in eBooks 2012-12-12 2012-12-12File Name: B00AN97HG8
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Actors Anonymous: A NovelBy CustomerAs an Actor; I really enjoy James Franco. Hes interesting and quite an artist. However; this book is disappointing. Sex; sex; sex... Im not opposed to sex... but its a distraction to a "story". Sorry; James. Lynne from Sellersville.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This should not have been published.By Ian MacAllenEveryone involved in this project; except maybe the accountants; should feel ashamed of the results of this book. That an editor lent his name to this project is a testament to the desperation of the publishing industry to convert celebrity into cash. Hopefully the publishers profit from his book has funded some actual work of literature.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Amazing look into Francos lifeBy Ashley VegaAmazing look into Francos life. An eye opener about not only what it is to be an actor; but what it is to be successful after having done so many reckless and harmful things.