Lost: Illegal Abortion Stories

by Jo Wainer

Twenty years ago, Dr Bertram Wainer, the abortion reform doctor and campaigner, placed an advertisement in a newspaper asking women who had illegal abortions to come forward to tell their stories. Their personal testimonies and the accounts from doctors and nurses are published for the first time in this collection.

Women had to draw on deep reservoirs of courage and determination faced with the fear of illegal abortion. This collection tells of some of those acts of courage and the difficulties society placed in women's way. Moving and candid, these stories uncover the hidden history of abortion in Australia.

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an important book, such an important exercise in empathy and understanding around a very complex and divisive issue. The stories contained in this collection are varied, heartbreaking, sickening, hopeful, infuriating, and everything in between. As a woman myself, I found some of the detailed passages describing the experiences of these women very challenging and upsetting to read as I imagined myself in their shoes. Those reactions stirred in me by these stories, however, are exactly why I think books like this are so powerfully important. A tragic history, which if better known might be better understood and, perhaps, less likely to continue to be repeated. Please read this book.

[Shara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. It helped me shape my ideas about abortion from the good old oh abortion should be legal but it is such a tragedy! to my current idea of abortion which is that every abortion story is different and certainly not always (or even mostly) a tragedy. This book is recommended reading for everybody!

[David Vernon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a remarkable book containing stories that must be told but more importantly must be read. It must be read by those who support the rights of women to choose and for those who are against abortion. Whilst we hopefully will never return to the times described in these pages they give a personal insight into how we have reached the stage we have with abortion in Australia.

My only minor criticism of this collection is that Jo Wainer should have provided a little more context to the stories — eg what some of the medical terms mean, where the hospitals were located and ideally what happened to the women presented in these stories. Was there any hope?

A brave anthology which illuminates our recent history in all its horror.

[Beky-Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book depicts the struggles and emotional challenges woman faced before the legalization of abortions. Some of the accounts were very detailed and I just wanted to hug these woman for their inner strength and emotional sacrifice, historically this book was in need to be written .

[Kate]

Amazing read, puts womens' roles in the 20th century in clear light, breeding machines with few rights.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

First read sept 2007

[Anthea Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be compulsory ready, especially for anyone who thinks abortion should not be legal.