Title: Fallen Women
Author: Sandra Dallas
First published October 22, 2013
352 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781250030931 (ISBN10: 1250030935)
Rating: 3.47
Overview
In the year 1890, Caroline Turner receives a letter from her estranged sister, Charlotte, stating that she has passed away in San Francisco. Caroline travels to San Francisco to lay her sister to rest, but soon discovers that Charlotte had been living a life of prostitution and was murdered in the brothel where she had been staying.
Caroline becomes determined to uncover the truth about her sister’s death and teams up with Detective James Sullivan. Together, they navigate the treacherous and corrupt world of San Francisco’s red-light district, from the opulent mansions of the city’s elite to the seedy brothels on the outskirts.
As Caroline delves deeper into Charlotte’s life, she uncovers secrets that threaten to destroy her own reputation and expose the dark side of American society in the late 19th century. Sandra Dallas masterfully weaves together mystery, intrigue, and historical detail in this captivating novel.
About the Author
Sandra Dallas is an accomplished author, praised by Jane Smiley in Vogue Magazine as “a quintessential American voice.” Her novels, which explore the themes of loyalty, friendship, and human dignity, have been translated into multiple languages and have been optioned for film adaptations.
Sandra’s writing career began as a journalist after graduating from the University of Denver. She spent 25 years as a staff member at Business Week, covering a range of topics from penny-stock scandals to western energy development.
Her experiences as a reporter have influenced many of her works, including her ten nonfiction books. Notably, her book Sacred Paint won the National Cowboy Hall of Fame Western Heritage Wrangler Award, and The Quilt That Walked to Golden received the Independent Publishers Assn.
Benjamin Franklin Award.
In 1990, Sandra shifted her focus to fiction and has since published eight novels, including Prayers for Sale. Her literary achievements include the Women Writing the West Willa Award for New Mercies and two Western Writers of America Spur Awards for The Chili Queen and Tallgrass.
Additionally, she has been a finalist for the Colorado Book Award, the Mountain and Plains Booksellers Assn. Award, and the Women Writing the West Willa Award four times.
Sandra is a mother of two daughters, Dana and Povy, who have pursued careers in law and photography, respectively. She currently resides in Denver with her husband, Bob.
Editoral Review
Fallen Women, a novel by Sandra Dallas, is a historical fiction that explores the lives of women who were shunned by society in the late nineteenth century. The novel was first published on October 22, 2013.
Dallas is a New York Times bestselling author of sixteen novels and has won numerous awards, including the Women Writing the West Willa Award and the Western Writers of America Spur Award. Set in the gritty and bustling streets of Denver in 1885, the novel is centered around the lives of Lily, a fashionable dressmaker, and her sister Eva, a former prostitute who faces constant challenges due to her past.
As they navigate their way through the harsh realities that plague those deemed fallen women, the sisters are met with a variety of characters, from compassionate and kind to cruel and bigoted. Dallas writing is powerful and insightful, immersing readers in the authentic details of the time period.
The novels themes center around societal pressures, gender roles, and the consequences of ones actions. While the novel focuses on the fictional characters and their experiences, it also explores the broader historical and cultural significance of the time period, highlighting the real-life struggles and prejudices faced by women during this era.
The pacing of the novel is excellent, with Dallas masterfully weaving together the individual stories of the characters, building towards a powerful and emotional climax. The characters are complex and well-developed, with Lily and Evas relationship at the heart of the story.
While the novel is a work of fiction, it is clear that Dallas has done her research, with accurate details and historical context woven throughout the narrative. While the novels focus on the struggles of fallen women illuminates important societal issues, some may find the themes and content heavy and difficult to digest.
Additionally, some readers may find the pacing slow in the beginning, as Dallas introduces the characters and sets the scene. Overall, Fallen Women is a beautifully written and insightful novel that tackles important themes and offers a glimpse into the struggles faced by women in the late nineteenth century.
Fans of historical fiction and those interested in womens rights and the gender politics of the era will find this book to be a compelling and thought-provoking read. I highly recommend it with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
