In the shattered post-Civil War South, the Women of Magdalene are dying and no one seems to care, least of all the haughty Dr. Kingston, the director of the genteel Ladies’ Lunatic Asylum. Dr. Robert Mallory, on his way to take up duties as the “general practitioner,” retrieves one of the bodies. Mallory carries the body to the asylum’s front doors. He is confused and disappointed by the indifference of the authorities.Rosemary Poole-Carter creates a vivid picture of that long-vanished world of slavery and southern gentility, and the racism that made it possible.
Nominated for Southering Independent Book Alliance (SIBA) Award
“A fine mix of thriller, historical fiction, and Southern Gothic.” —Booklist
“A brilliant example of the best historical fiction can do.” —ForeWord
Logline The women of Magdalene are dying and no one seems to care, least of all the haughty Dr. Kingston, the director of the genteel Ladies’ Lunatic Asylum.
Review Snippets
"Women of Magdalene is a brilliant example of the best historical fiction can do: illuminate the past not as it really, truly was, but as we imagine it to be, in order to better understand our own motives, desires, and prejudices." Featured Boxed Review in ForeWord Magazine. Read more...
"Poole-Carter has captured the post–Civil War South with candor and grace... A fine mix of thriller, historical fiction, and Southern Gothic." Booklist Magazine review
"The story builds to a rich climax, and the complex story lines are handled beautifully by Poole-Carter, whose earlier works include two novels, one of them for young adults. Those who enjoy a strong story with an unfolding plot that follows a few twists and turns will be intrigued by "Women of Magdalene." The book is extremely well-researched, and the subject matter is of great interest. Rosemary Poole-Carter has written a real page-turner in "Women of Magdalene," her novel proves that the dark and moody atmosphere of southern Louisiana is the perfect backdrop for a mysterious tale." The News Star
View the animated trailer. Please click below.Synopsis Set in the shattered post–Civil War south, Women of Magdalene is a beautiful tale of deception, betrayal, greed and self-sacrifice.
Young Dr. Robert Mallory, fresh from three blood-soaked years as a field surgeon on the battlefields of the Civil War, makes his way on foot to the Magdalene Ladies’ Lunatic Asylum to take up duties as the resident “general practitioner.” In a river near the asylum, he finds the body of a woman. A young man nearby tells him that “she be one of them mad women,” and Mallory carries the body to the asylum’s front doors. He is confused and disappointed by the indifference with which his discovery is met by the authorities.
Over the following months, Mallory learns that the misogynistic, racist Dr. Kingston and his cranky old assistant Dr. Hardy have little interest in “curing” their patients. And Mallory discovers many of them aren't patients at all. They are women who are conveniently "disposed of" by families.
When another patient is found dead on the bank of the river in the night, Kingston hastily blames a young “Negress” employed by the asylum and shoots her lover and her on the spot. The girl is locked up and, accused of killing a white woman, she is taken from her cell and lynched. Mallory is determined to expose Kingston and exonerate the girl, but Kingston has other plans.
Lushly evocative, written with elegance and beauty, Women of Magdalene is a richly satisfying story. Through the eyes of its protagonist, Dr. Mallory, we are given a vivid look into that long-vanished world of slavery and southern gentility, and the racism that made it possible.
USA and International Distribution: Independent Publishers Group (IPG) Canadian Distribution: Canadian Manda Group
*Please allow Canadian retailers time to adjust pricing.
Author Rosemary Poole-Carter
Rosemary combines her love of mystery with a passion for the American South. Her plays include The Little Death, Mossy Cape and her last novel was Juliette Ascending, and she is an accomplished playwright.
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Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 07:17AM 
