This is a very interesting read, however I was not a huge fan of how it was written. It felt like I was reading a school assignment rather than a book and the way the information was laid out was quite chaotic and a bit jarring.

I enjoyed this book! It was a quick and informative read that appeared to be well-researched. I’m no expert in Victorian era prostitution so I can’t actually speak to the historical merits of the content and it’s portrayal, but I did come away feeling a more educated on the subject. The writing is pretty clear and easy to comprehend. I wish some unfamiliar terms were immediately defined instead of being defined after a number of uses, but otherwise I have no major gripes with the writing. I do like how the author really removed the taboo from the subject from the first page to the last. I think footnotes would be beneficial for this kind of book.

I was so excited to have my wish granted for this book. I have had an interest in Victorian England since I was six years old, and, upon adulthood, have found the history of sex workers fascinating.

So often historical works center on men. When they do focus on women, they tend to focus on women from the upper echelons of society who hold more power. This is why this book is so important; it tells the often harrowing stories of women who didn’t hold power. They existed and they matter.

The writing was fairly academic and dense. I personally enjoyed it, but I come from an academic background. The research was incredibly done. I recommend this book to anyone interested in history.

Thank you Netgalley & Pen and Sword History Publishing for an eARC ♥️

"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.♥️

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.

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!

Exploring The Lives Of Victorian England Prostitutes by Claire Richardson The author states upfront that this is not a deep dive into the subject but a starter book. This was also the subject of her doctoral dissertation and from the other books she has on Goodreads it was obviously a labor of love as well. I want to say I really enjoyed this book from what caused the women to go into prostitution to those wanting to help in those wanting to make the situation worse. I enjoyed reading about the personal stories and firsthand accounts of the women their individual stories and especially the stories of those helping the women get out of that life. This is truly a great book and one she did her due diligence in researching I always feel so lucky as to get to be an early reader for books like this from Penn and sword press history via NetGalley. Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review I do totally recommend this book and absolutely found it so interesting.

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.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

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.

Like most books from this publishing house it's a great starting point to help you understand broader perspectives of the subject. Easy to understand chapters and some more deep-dives into actual people's lives. The author has done a good job researching and make the contents approachable.