Beyond Brutal Passions: Prostitution in Early Nineteenth-Century Montreal (Studies on the History of Quebec/Études d’histoire du Quebec)

by Mary Anne Poutanen

During a time of significant demographic, geographic, and social transition, many women in early nineteenth-century Montreal turned to prostitution and brothel-keeping to feed, clothe, protect, and house themselves and their families. Beyond Brutal Passions is a close study of the women who were accused of marketing sex, their economic and social susceptibilities, and the strategies they employed to resist authority and assert their own agency. Referencing newspapers, parish registers, census returns, coroners' reports, city directories, documents of Catholic and Protestant institutions, police books, and court records, Mary Anne Poutanen reveals how these women confronted limited alternatives and how they fought against established authority in the pursuit of their livelihoods. She details these women’s lives not only as prostitutes but also as wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters who reconstructed the bonds of kinship and solidarity. An insightful history of prostitution, Beyond Brutal Passions explores the complicated relationships between women accused of prostitution and the society in which they lived and worked.

Genres: Nonfiction

432 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2015

Reviews

[Bobby A.]

Un ouvrage exhaustif, qui, en plus d'éclairer l'histoire de la prostitution à Montréal au début du XIXe, dresse un portrait saisissant de la ville. Une référence très utile pour quelqu'un qui veut écrire sur cette époque.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just realized I forgot to post a review of this -- it's one of the most absolutely fascinating, well-researched, and engaging history books I've read, particular about Canadian women's history of the 19th century, and Quebec history. The title pretty much explains it, and I will add that with each chapter, there was something so new and interesting to discover, about how brothels found ways to advertise but also pretend they weren't houses of ill repute, and women's networks, and just... the entire thing. Excellent book!

[AAnna Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

un peu ardu comme lecture, pas mal de repetition et de longueurs, ton très neutre et démonstratif mais sujet interessant !