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Parallel Lives: A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River
Parallel Lives: A Social History of Lizzie A. Borden and Her Fall River sheds new light on the life of Lizzie Andrew Borden and provides a unique, and previously neglected, look at the complex social history of Fall River, Massachusetts, during the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries.
Painstakingly researched and written for the Fall River Historical Society by its curatorial staff, Parallel Lives uses the time span of Lizzie’s family as the framework around which the story unfolds. Profusely illustrated with period images, this groundbreaking work includes five recently discovered photographs of Lizzie taken in her later years; extremely rare and previously unpublished, they make their public debut in Parallel Lives.
Relying on an extensive number of untapped resources discovered by the authors, including manuscripts, diaries, and a plethora of material gleaned from private collections worldwide, Parallel Lives provides unprecedented insight into Lizzie’s world, into her Fall River. No attempt is made at yet another in-depth retelling of the Borden murder case, nor is speculation as to Lizzie’s innocence or guilt opined. Rather, a picture is painted of the Fall River Lizzie knew, with the city vibrantly brought to life: the people, the sounds, and the events that formed its history. Parallel Lives takes the reader back in time and provides a never-before-seen look at Lizzie’s private life, and the world in which she lived it.
Heretofore, Lizzie A. Borden has been presented in black and white, a one-dimensional character defined by legend and innuendo. Now, for the first time, she emerges as a far more complex, complete individual, whose personal life, albeit private, was one of grace and dignity—despite the specter of suspicion under which she was forced to exist. Though silenced by the grave, Lizzie and her contemporaries speak once again, revealing, in their own words, heartfelt tales of anguish and tribulation, as well as those of love, laughter, and serenity, thus bringing their Fall River to life.
Here we meet a flesh and blood Lizzie in full color—a woman who was anything but the icon created by those who did not know her personally.Those who did painted an entirely different picture of the mistress of Maplecroft— and the stories they had to tell are among those collected for the first time in Parallel Lives.
Painstakingly researched and written for the Fall River Historical Society by its curatorial staff, Parallel Lives uses the time span of Lizzie’s family as the framework around which the story unfolds. Profusely illustrated with period images, this groundbreaking work includes five recently discovered photographs of Lizzie taken in her later years; extremely rare and previously unpublished, they make their public debut in Parallel Lives.
Relying on an extensive number of untapped resources discovered by the authors, including manuscripts, diaries, and a plethora of material gleaned from private collections worldwide, Parallel Lives provides unprecedented insight into Lizzie’s world, into her Fall River. No attempt is made at yet another in-depth retelling of the Borden murder case, nor is speculation as to Lizzie’s innocence or guilt opined. Rather, a picture is painted of the Fall River Lizzie knew, with the city vibrantly brought to life: the people, the sounds, and the events that formed its history. Parallel Lives takes the reader back in time and provides a never-before-seen look at Lizzie’s private life, and the world in which she lived it.
Heretofore, Lizzie A. Borden has been presented in black and white, a one-dimensional character defined by legend and innuendo. Now, for the first time, she emerges as a far more complex, complete individual, whose personal life, albeit private, was one of grace and dignity—despite the specter of suspicion under which she was forced to exist. Though silenced by the grave, Lizzie and her contemporaries speak once again, revealing, in their own words, heartfelt tales of anguish and tribulation, as well as those of love, laughter, and serenity, thus bringing their Fall River to life.
Here we meet a flesh and blood Lizzie in full color—a woman who was anything but the icon created by those who did not know her personally.Those who did painted an entirely different picture of the mistress of Maplecroft— and the stories they had to tell are among those collected for the first time in Parallel Lives.
1179 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
8 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 14, 2012
This is a FANTASTIC book! I am interested in not only Lizzie Borden, but all things Fall River, and this book has more than enough to satisfy both hungers. This is really the first biography of Lizzie Borden. There is loads of new information in it, including several never before seen photographs, letters, and other more personal items of Lizzie's. It is long and satisfying and I highly recommend it!
You can read excerpts here: http://lizziebordenparallellives.com
You can read excerpts here: http://lizziebordenparallellives.com
March 14, 2012
As a long-time student of the Borden case, I seriously thought I knew all there was to know about Lizzie Borden. Well I certainly was mistaken, all the more so after having just finished reading “Parallel Lives.” In reality, before this book, we knew very little about Lizzie Borden and the Fall River she called home and what little we did know about her was nothing more than tales told out of school and folklore. Very seldom does a book come along that totally surrounds you with an atmosphere that actually gives you a real sense of what it was like to live in that time. This is not a book for only those who know Fall River, Massachusetts, but one for anyone who loves tales about people who lived during the 19th and early 20th century. One of those people, whose life story here is told with an unbelievable amount of new and personal information, is Lizzie Borden. As I read this book, I was sure that there couldn’t possibly be more information that would take me by surprise – then I’d turn the page and thrill with more and more new, unpublished correspondence, beautifully reproduced photographs, and text that is unbelievably rich with description. “Parallel Lives” in not an inexpensive book, but it is well worth the money. It’s at least two books in one, with hundreds of photographs, and engrossing text that pulls you right into the lives and hearts of Lizzie and the people of “her Fall River.” A must for anyone who is a history buff, a Lizzie buff, or just wants one terrific read that brings you on a whirlwind trip to the past! Don’t miss out on this one. Can’t wait for the movie!
February 18, 2018
A truly incredible read. Lizzie Andrew Borden is such an iconic, fictionalized and mythic figure in American history. The book keeps removing layer upon layer of the lore to help us better understand the real LAB. Monumental, herculean scholarship went into the writing of this piece. Given the breath of material, one recommendation would be to break 1000 page book into three separate volumes: The History of Fall River, The Borden Murders and The Maplecroft Years. Hoping for additional materials from the authors. BRILLIANT BOOK!!!
September 14, 2023
This is certainly a doorstop of a book. It could probably be listed under fitness as well as history, because it could be used for overhead presses, curls, or tricep extensions. I just had to weigh it. It comes in at a hefty 7 lbs. Even though it’s not an easy book to maneuver, its 1,138 pages are written extremely well for a history book. If I remember correctly, it took Michael Martins and Dennis Binette ten years to go through all the historical documents, and get them into a nice, readable narrative. I bought this book because of my interest in Lizzie Borden and the mystery of the Borden murders. I’d already read just about every credible book on the subject over the years, but still wasn’t satisfied. I am now. This book had so much more information on the subject, and a lot of it is new. Of course, I had to sift through the vast amount of Fall River history here that didn't specifically pertain to the Bordens, but it was worth it. I’d say this is the definitive biography of Lizzie Borden, and she and the mystery are covered to the furthest extent possible. My only caveat is that I wish the authors would put together a book just about the Borden case. However, if you’re interested in the history of the late 19th century and early 20th, especially of Fall River, this book would suit you fine.
November 22, 2019
A truly massive book. The biggest I have ever seen. Hard to lift, literally!
I agree with those who say it is essential to understanding Lizzie Borden. It provides critical context for what Fall River was and the role it played in the Bordens’ lives. It clears up a lot of myths that have arisen over the decades about what happened in 1892 (e.g. Andrew Borden was not totally a skinflint and the house was not entirely lacking in any modern amenities).
For those merely interested in the Borden story, though, this is way too much. Too much Fall River info given in excruciating detail. I wouldn’t recommend it to someone new to the Borden story.
But I can’t imagine anyone wanting to really dive into the Borden story being able to do without this book.
I agree with those who say it is essential to understanding Lizzie Borden. It provides critical context for what Fall River was and the role it played in the Bordens’ lives. It clears up a lot of myths that have arisen over the decades about what happened in 1892 (e.g. Andrew Borden was not totally a skinflint and the house was not entirely lacking in any modern amenities).
For those merely interested in the Borden story, though, this is way too much. Too much Fall River info given in excruciating detail. I wouldn’t recommend it to someone new to the Borden story.
But I can’t imagine anyone wanting to really dive into the Borden story being able to do without this book.
September 29, 2017
Comprehensive, thorough, extraordinary.
I do wish that all the Lizzie pages could be extracted out into a separate volume. This is literally difficult to hold and read due to its size--but of course, well worth the discomfort! :)
I do wish that all the Lizzie pages could be extracted out into a separate volume. This is literally difficult to hold and read due to its size--but of course, well worth the discomfort! :)
February 26, 2024
I finished it! Over 1000 pages and seven pounds, this book is not for everyone. It's for a tenacious reader with a long attention span for everything Lizzie Borden (aka me). This is a meticulously researched encyclopedia of Lizzie Borden and Fall River, Massachusetts from the mid-19th century to the late 1920s (the time period of her life).
There are plenty of books about Lizzie and the case, but this is the one to read for the documented facts as opposed to the legends and myths.
There are plenty of books about Lizzie and the case, but this is the one to read for the documented facts as opposed to the legends and myths.
July 28, 2022
First off: this is one of a kind as far as books on and related to Lizzie Borden. Bravo! Reading this book I have learned things about U.S. social history through osmosis; for instance, the well-to-do who have had families wiped out from a sinking ship. The photographs add considerably. Without the photographs I probably wouldn't have read the book. The Introduction claims "This ...book...is not intended to offer any solution to that mystery, or to speculate on the question of Lizzie's innocence or guilt." I think that this is partially true. There are interpretations of facial expressions in photographs that go beyond "here are the facts." They acknowledge that the long-sitting required of old-time photography would mean less smiles, but they also ignore this and become subjective in a way that is not true to the intro's claim, in my opinion. In other instances the authors' style comes off as quite Victorian. That's fine; just a little weird in a book written in the 21st century.
The writers have some quiet fun, here and there. For instance, in discussing a divorce case (nothing directly to do with the Bordens):
In the presence of her sister and Lieutenant Christian, Florence had confronted her husband
with the letter, asking, "What does this mean? You might have spared me this," to which he
made no reply. It was then that she expressed her desire to obtain a divorce, to which he
answered, "I should say that you did have cause," a phrase that was subsequently, and
emphatically, "ejaculated" by the lieutenant. [Tell me the authors weren't smiling when they
wrote that.]
The book is quite a feat (1140 pages). And carrying it home from the library was also a feat.
The writers have some quiet fun, here and there. For instance, in discussing a divorce case (nothing directly to do with the Bordens):
In the presence of her sister and Lieutenant Christian, Florence had confronted her husband
with the letter, asking, "What does this mean? You might have spared me this," to which he
made no reply. It was then that she expressed her desire to obtain a divorce, to which he
answered, "I should say that you did have cause," a phrase that was subsequently, and
emphatically, "ejaculated" by the lieutenant. [Tell me the authors weren't smiling when they
wrote that.]
The book is quite a feat (1140 pages). And carrying it home from the library was also a feat.
September 26, 2019
Thud! What an informative, impressive and completely well researched book. I feel I’ve read if not everything put out in regards to the Borden slayings and all things Lizzie, this book blows it all out of the water with the amount of information that is catalogued here. So very interesting.
I enjoyed everything about this book, except the workout of sometimes holding it up :) Thank you so much for the work that has gone into this lovely book.
I enjoyed everything about this book, except the workout of sometimes holding it up :) Thank you so much for the work that has gone into this lovely book.
October 22, 2019
Yes, I read all 1175 pages of this book. Everything you ever wanted to know about Fall River and it's society. Oh yes, Lizzie too... Great book!!!
January 2, 2012
No I did not read all 1175 pages. But I did read all the Lizzie-pages, and those alone are worth the price.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews