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Maura's Dream
She hungered and hoped, sinned and struggled, until she found her way.
Maura O Connell, young, lovely, innocent, an Irish immigrant left widowed in turn-of-the-century New York, was forced to battle for happiness against fearful odds. This is her story- of the men she gave herself to in her desperate search, first for survival, then for fulfillment- of her courageous break for freedom from crushing sexual bondage and brutal working conditions.
This powerful novel is a vivid recreation of a time when a woman could become easy prey to men s desires and a slave of a factory system that ruthlessly exploited not only immigrant labor but especially famale labor.
Maura s Story is a poignant portrayal of one woman s unbreakable courage and unshakable determination--it will make you weep, make you cheer, and bring hope to your heart.
Maura O Connell, young, lovely, innocent, an Irish immigrant left widowed in turn-of-the-century New York, was forced to battle for happiness against fearful odds. This is her story- of the men she gave herself to in her desperate search, first for survival, then for fulfillment- of her courageous break for freedom from crushing sexual bondage and brutal working conditions.
This powerful novel is a vivid recreation of a time when a woman could become easy prey to men s desires and a slave of a factory system that ruthlessly exploited not only immigrant labor but especially famale labor.
Maura s Story is a poignant portrayal of one woman s unbreakable courage and unshakable determination--it will make you weep, make you cheer, and bring hope to your heart.
Hardcover
First published April 25, 1981
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82 people want to read
About the author
Joel Gross
22 books6 followersJoel's ten published novels include THE BOOKS OF RACHEL. His play, MARIE ANTOINETTE: THE COLOR OF FLESH, is published by Dramatists Play Service. His film script, MORTAL ARMOR: THE LEGEND OF GALAHAD, produced by Gale Anne Hurd, will be filmed in the UK next year. Joel has worked on films for Fox, Universal, Sony, and HBO. Joel has an M.A. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University, and is a member of P.E.N., the Dramatists Guild, the Writers Guild, and the Authors Guild.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 25, 2011
"She had come to the New World, but freedom hadn't been granted her; freedom was somewhere else, off in the future, in a place and time where she would be strong., when the stuff of her dreams would not be stifled by the world of men."
Maura O'Connell flees her family, marries and sets sail with her new husband for a better life in America. Conditions in steerage are horrific and her husband becomes one of its many victims. After going through the hell that is immigration at Ellis Island Maura trusts one of the ship's mates who promises her a job - bad move - she's sold into prostitution to a notorious gangster. Since she doesn't take this lying down (pun not intended) she's forced to *service* the gutter dwellers until she learns to behave and obey orders and then she can move on up to a brothel that serves the a better class of client.
Will Maura succumb to temptation and let handsome and ever-so-wealthy Kevin take care of her? Is she willing to prostitute herself again for a comfortable life? What would you do, take the easy way out or face life in the sweat shops for the meagre sum of $4 a week? Not such an easy decision, is it?
"And worse, far worse, was the secret, tiny longing within her eighteen-year old soul to just give up, drop everything, and let this handsome young man sweep her away, let him take her anywhere he wanted, just so she would no longer have to think."
I liked this a lot, and a refreshing change from the usual rags-to-riches story one normally finds in this period. Despite the hell Maura goes through, she's not one to give up. She's smart enough to know she has to wait for her chance at freedom and play the game to survive in the meantime. This story does have some disturbing moments, and there is some sex, although it is appropriate to the story and is not gratuitous. And despite the cover, this isn't a bodice ripping romance with a pair of star-crossed lovers, but one about a strong-willed woman with the determination to build a new life on her own, without prostituting herself to any man. Four stars.
Maura O'Connell flees her family, marries and sets sail with her new husband for a better life in America. Conditions in steerage are horrific and her husband becomes one of its many victims. After going through the hell that is immigration at Ellis Island Maura trusts one of the ship's mates who promises her a job - bad move - she's sold into prostitution to a notorious gangster. Since she doesn't take this lying down (pun not intended) she's forced to *service* the gutter dwellers until she learns to behave and obey orders and then she can move on up to a brothel that serves the a better class of client.
Will Maura succumb to temptation and let handsome and ever-so-wealthy Kevin take care of her? Is she willing to prostitute herself again for a comfortable life? What would you do, take the easy way out or face life in the sweat shops for the meagre sum of $4 a week? Not such an easy decision, is it?
"And worse, far worse, was the secret, tiny longing within her eighteen-year old soul to just give up, drop everything, and let this handsome young man sweep her away, let him take her anywhere he wanted, just so she would no longer have to think."
I liked this a lot, and a refreshing change from the usual rags-to-riches story one normally finds in this period. Despite the hell Maura goes through, she's not one to give up. She's smart enough to know she has to wait for her chance at freedom and play the game to survive in the meantime. This story does have some disturbing moments, and there is some sex, although it is appropriate to the story and is not gratuitous. And despite the cover, this isn't a bodice ripping romance with a pair of star-crossed lovers, but one about a strong-willed woman with the determination to build a new life on her own, without prostituting herself to any man. Four stars.
December 8, 2011
my aunt picked this up at a garage sale and brought it over for me because my name is "maura". i was in third grade. she must not have read the dust jacket, or even cracked the book open. my parents took the book away from me and said that i could read it when i was older. i was pissed. about a year later i found the book hidden in their room on top of my dad's wardrobe. i secretly read it - sneaking away with it whenever they weren't home, and returning it to their hiding place before they came back. this book blew my mind and taught me more about sex than i picked up anywhere else at the time. scandalous.
August 16, 2023
My Favourite fiction read of the year so far and possibly all of 2022.
Although many of the themes might not be for everyone.
* the steerage journey and being held captive portions were intense and felt realistic*
I loved the way this book transported you into what could be someone’s very real suffering. It made me think of and look into the hardships of immigrants in that time period and the factory workers, brothels ect. And I easily lost my self in it while reading.
A lot of the historical aspects held up to the somewhat brief research I did.
Human trafficking is very much in the spotlight now, but the reality is that 100 years ago, humans were also exploited.
The first half of the book I found superior but it was easy to want to keep reading and see where the story led.
I found my self hoping for the predictable ending that made the most sense to me but happy that the author chose to stay true to the character he created. Well written, I would read more by the author for sure.
My only negative comment would be that the main character sometimes lacked a ridiculous amount of self preservation and her ideas and choices were often not believable for me.
She was also beloved by all because of her beauty… but honestly that really how it be sometimes.
Although many of the themes might not be for everyone.
* the steerage journey and being held captive portions were intense and felt realistic*
I loved the way this book transported you into what could be someone’s very real suffering. It made me think of and look into the hardships of immigrants in that time period and the factory workers, brothels ect. And I easily lost my self in it while reading.
A lot of the historical aspects held up to the somewhat brief research I did.
Human trafficking is very much in the spotlight now, but the reality is that 100 years ago, humans were also exploited.
The first half of the book I found superior but it was easy to want to keep reading and see where the story led.
I found my self hoping for the predictable ending that made the most sense to me but happy that the author chose to stay true to the character he created. Well written, I would read more by the author for sure.
My only negative comment would be that the main character sometimes lacked a ridiculous amount of self preservation and her ideas and choices were often not believable for me.
She was also beloved by all because of her beauty… but honestly that really how it be sometimes.
August 10, 2018
From captive to freedom.
Only 17 years old, Maura, the young Irish immigrant's husband dies during the crossing to America. She is taken, held captive and turned into a prostitute. Her struggles to escape and build a life to meet her dream takes one of courage and has many setbacks.
Only 17 years old, Maura, the young Irish immigrant's husband dies during the crossing to America. She is taken, held captive and turned into a prostitute. Her struggles to escape and build a life to meet her dream takes one of courage and has many setbacks.
May 8, 2025
I really wanted to like this one. It's a saga about an immigrant from Ireland coming to America, but it just wasn't very well written. Maura seemed rather flat and uninspired, so I couldn't get into her character. The plot was well paced, but didn't feel really fleshed out.
September 25, 2021
Great book
December 10, 2025
Of all the books I read by this author, this was my least favorite. But the description of life in New York in the late 19th century
March 18, 2014
GOOD STORYLINE MAIN CHARACTER LIVING IN WRONG CENTURY
GOOD STORYLINE MAIN CHARACTER LIVING IN WRONG CENTURY
the story started out in rural Ireland and the characters especially Maura and Brendt were sympathetic and believable as they tried to avoid being practically sold off in marriage by their abusive and drunken father. After Brendt's tragic death. I found that there were many incidents where Maura's thoughts and motivations seemed too abstract and twenty first century for the time period. an example would be her references to the white slave trade, considering she had come from a remote Irish village and her only experiences in America were in the confines of who're house her analysis of the situation seemed too sophisticated.
I skimmed the book, the story line was good, but the main character was not believable.
GOOD STORYLINE MAIN CHARACTER LIVING IN WRONG CENTURY
the story started out in rural Ireland and the characters especially Maura and Brendt were sympathetic and believable as they tried to avoid being practically sold off in marriage by their abusive and drunken father. After Brendt's tragic death. I found that there were many incidents where Maura's thoughts and motivations seemed too abstract and twenty first century for the time period. an example would be her references to the white slave trade, considering she had come from a remote Irish village and her only experiences in America were in the confines of who're house her analysis of the situation seemed too sophisticated.
I skimmed the book, the story line was good, but the main character was not believable.
October 11, 2014
wouldnt read agsin
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews