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Emmeline
Emmeline is a historical novel, written in 1980 and set in America in the 1840s. It is about thirteen-year-old Emmeline Mosher, who leaves her home in Fayette in Maine and goes to work in the mills at Lowell in Massachusetts.
This was common practice: the girls (around eight thousand of them in Lowell alone) were housed in large boarding houses, worked in the mills all day, and the money they earned was sent back to their, mostly farming, families. Even though the work was hard, many of the girls were pleased to have the freedom to work.
However, Emmeline goes to Lowell reluctantly and is disorientated and lonely. But she is also beautiful – and a double tragedy ensues.
This was common practice: the girls (around eight thousand of them in Lowell alone) were housed in large boarding houses, worked in the mills all day, and the money they earned was sent back to their, mostly farming, families. Even though the work was hard, many of the girls were pleased to have the freedom to work.
However, Emmeline goes to Lowell reluctantly and is disorientated and lonely. But she is also beautiful – and a double tragedy ensues.
409 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
78 people are currently reading
833 people want to read
About the author
Judith Rossner
23 books70 followersJudith Perelman Rossner was an American novelist, best known for her 1975 novel Looking for Mr. Goodbar, which was inspired by the murder of Roseann Quinn and examined the underside of the seventies sexual liberation movement. Though Looking for Mr. Goodbar remained Rossner's best known and best selling work, she continued to write. Her most successful post-Goodbar novel was 1983's August, about the relationship between a troubled young woman and her psychoanalyst who has emotional troubles of her own.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
August 3, 2018
The true story of Emeline Bachelder Gurney 1826-1899. I came to this book with very little knowledge of the content and a few hours after finishing I'm still coming to terms this was based on real events, without that knowledge I would have mentioned it is too farfetched, but obviously knowing that fact, it isn't.
Emmeline Mosher's farming family is starving so she goes to work at the cotton mills some way from her home to send money home to her family. She is 13 yrs old. She is completely naive and nobody makes her aware of the problems she might face. The move from her family is devastating, she is shy and homesick and the work is exhausting. When the boss of her department shows her kindness
The second part of the book deals with Emmeline' s life, mainly around the age of 34. Don't read any reviews if you're planning to read this, or look at spoilers,
I wonder what these people would think if they knew their story was being discussed nearly two centuries later and how public opinion would now find
Emmeline Mosher's farming family is starving so she goes to work at the cotton mills some way from her home to send money home to her family. She is 13 yrs old. She is completely naive and nobody makes her aware of the problems she might face. The move from her family is devastating, she is shy and homesick and the work is exhausting. When the boss of her department shows her kindness
The second part of the book deals with Emmeline' s life, mainly around the age of 34. Don't read any reviews if you're planning to read this, or look at spoilers,
I wonder what these people would think if they knew their story was being discussed nearly two centuries later and how public opinion would now find
March 17, 2018
The author of Emmeline was the New York writer Judith Rossner ( 1935-2005).Her most famous novel 'Waiting for Mr Goodbar' ( 4 million copies sold) , her best being Emmeline, although it has not been in print since it was first published in 1980.
Emmeline, now re-published by Persephone books (no 123), is a historical novel, based on a true story which is set in America in the 1840s.
Emmeline Mosher aged only 13, and the eldest child, reluctantly leaves her home in Fayette in Maine and goes to work in the cotton mills at Lowell in Massachusetts.
For 3 years Emmeline's father had been unable to find work to supplement the small farm and a killing frost come in June which destroyed all their crops.
Emmeline's aunt and uncle, Hannah and Abner Watkins from Lynn, Massachusetts visit one day and are shocked by how little food there is in the home.
Hannah suggests that Emmeline being the eldest child of nine, leaves home and works in Lowell to help her family out.This was common pratice: the girls ( around eight thousand of them in Lowell alone), were housed in large boarding houses, worked very long hours in the cotton mills all day, and then sent their wages home .
For some girls this gave them a sense of freedom and money for themselves also, but Emmeline soon becomes very lonely and thinks of home everyday.
She knows nothing about real life,and when she is seduced knows nothing about what is happening to her.A lot of young women of this time was deliberately kept in ignorance, and yet when done wrong society then punishes them.
This coming of age story is heartbreaking and tragic and will leave you thinking of Emmeline's story long after you've finished the book.
Emmeline, now re-published by Persephone books (no 123), is a historical novel, based on a true story which is set in America in the 1840s.
Emmeline Mosher aged only 13, and the eldest child, reluctantly leaves her home in Fayette in Maine and goes to work in the cotton mills at Lowell in Massachusetts.
For 3 years Emmeline's father had been unable to find work to supplement the small farm and a killing frost come in June which destroyed all their crops.
Emmeline's aunt and uncle, Hannah and Abner Watkins from Lynn, Massachusetts visit one day and are shocked by how little food there is in the home.
Hannah suggests that Emmeline being the eldest child of nine, leaves home and works in Lowell to help her family out.This was common pratice: the girls ( around eight thousand of them in Lowell alone), were housed in large boarding houses, worked very long hours in the cotton mills all day, and then sent their wages home .
For some girls this gave them a sense of freedom and money for themselves also, but Emmeline soon becomes very lonely and thinks of home everyday.
She knows nothing about real life,and when she is seduced knows nothing about what is happening to her.A lot of young women of this time was deliberately kept in ignorance, and yet when done wrong society then punishes them.
This coming of age story is heartbreaking and tragic and will leave you thinking of Emmeline's story long after you've finished the book.
November 8, 2021
My rating is two and a half stars. An interesting interpretation of a historic story. I can see why the author took up this project, as the basics beg to be fleshed out. I just couldn't identify with the characters in Rossner's version of events. So many seem one dimensional. I found it hard to see the world from fourteen year old Emmeline's perspective in the boarding house and factory in Lowell, Massachusetts. Her family seemed so unappreciative of the sacrifices she made to support them during this time, at least in their later years. A bizarre twist, towards the end. If you don't want to read the book, check out Emeline's story from findagrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1...
March 27, 2018
Thirteen-year-old Emmeline Mosher is sent away from her large, impoverished family to work in the cotton mills of Lowell, Massachusetts, in the late 1830s. Friendless, innocent, and lonely, she is easy prey for a seducer.
This is a harrowing tale of a life that comes full circle twice in the most painful circumstances. The conditions at the mill are tough, but they are nothing to the emotional pain that Emmeline must go through at different times of her life.
She’s perhaps a little too passive to completely win our sympathy, but her story is a powerful one all the same.
This is a harrowing tale of a life that comes full circle twice in the most painful circumstances. The conditions at the mill are tough, but they are nothing to the emotional pain that Emmeline must go through at different times of her life.
She’s perhaps a little too passive to completely win our sympathy, but her story is a powerful one all the same.
June 22, 2011
One of my all-time favorite books. Many other reviewers have noted that it is too depressing and dark in their reviews. It is depressing however, it is based on a true story and in that way I believe it has great value as historical fiction in the same way that Schindler's List has value as historical fiction. The practice of sending very young girls away from their home during the mid-1800's during the Industrial Revolution was common and the practices led ultimately to child labor laws passed later on. Her earnings were sent home to help her family at great cost to her. The girl, Emmeline may have been 14 but she had been very sheltered and had come from an isolated New England farming community. This book reveals what children that age really are. She was not just a small adult. It is said that truth is stranger than fiction and this story bears that out. I thought Rossner's rendition of the story to be touching and sad, but accurate and mesmerizing. It was originally published in 1980 and when I recently reread it I found it not at all dated in style or technique. Obviously since the story is set in the 1800's the story itself would not be dated, but author Rossner's writing style seems current and fresh even now.
August 15, 2022
The writing was very good and it had me hooked on the story, it's far from a sweet, kind story about a young teen. Sad in many ways but very well written
July 25, 2008
This book speaks to a harsh reality. Young girls were sent off to the Lowell mills without anyone to look after them. They were too young and too ignorant to know how the world worked. This story is beautiful and heartbreaking.
March 31, 2022
This is a very sad, but true story and tears will fall !
If stuff like this would happen today...no - actually, it wouldn't ever happen nowadays.
And yet, it is a true story.
If this story sounds familiar to you, you might have watched the youtube video about the lady, that brought us Emmeline's story.
If not, you can watch it at the following link - but be aware, that the book reveals many more details (and tears):
https://youtu.be/1CVcZ_8HPuY
There is more info about Emmeline, just type "Emmeline, Fayette: in the youtube searchbox.
I think, this book was very good written, and you felt like you were sent back in time.
If stuff like this would happen today...no - actually, it wouldn't ever happen nowadays.
And yet, it is a true story.
If this story sounds familiar to you, you might have watched the youtube video about the lady, that brought us Emmeline's story.
If not, you can watch it at the following link - but be aware, that the book reveals many more details (and tears):
https://youtu.be/1CVcZ_8HPuY
There is more info about Emmeline, just type "Emmeline, Fayette: in the youtube searchbox.
I think, this book was very good written, and you felt like you were sent back in time.
May 1, 2024
An engrossing, sad story that will stay with me.
Such innocence and the devastation which ensued.
Such innocence and the devastation which ensued.
August 1, 2018
This piece of historical fiction is riveting and Emmeline’s story will stay with me for a long time. Just before the dedication page the author writes...
“Nettie Mitchell told me about Emmeline. Nettie is ninety-four years old and still lives in Fayette. She knew Emmeline when she herself was a child and Emmeline was an old woman”.
Thus it seems that Judith Rossner based this book on a true story she heard about an “Emeline”. As an innocent young girl of 13 years, she leaves her poor farm family in Maine and travels to Massachusetts to a mill town in the mid-1800’s where she can earn money to send back home to help support them. Many young girls worked in the mills of New England in the 19th century. This book is beautifully written- full of feeling, emotion, and wise understanding. I could not put this book down. I would advise not reading any extensive reviews or googling the actual story; do not spoil it for yourself. Simply begin by knowing the basis premise and let Emmeline’s story unfold. It is quite a tale and you will not be disappointed.
This was a solid five stars for me.
“Nettie Mitchell told me about Emmeline. Nettie is ninety-four years old and still lives in Fayette. She knew Emmeline when she herself was a child and Emmeline was an old woman”.
Thus it seems that Judith Rossner based this book on a true story she heard about an “Emeline”. As an innocent young girl of 13 years, she leaves her poor farm family in Maine and travels to Massachusetts to a mill town in the mid-1800’s where she can earn money to send back home to help support them. Many young girls worked in the mills of New England in the 19th century. This book is beautifully written- full of feeling, emotion, and wise understanding. I could not put this book down. I would advise not reading any extensive reviews or googling the actual story; do not spoil it for yourself. Simply begin by knowing the basis premise and let Emmeline’s story unfold. It is quite a tale and you will not be disappointed.
This was a solid five stars for me.
August 12, 2007
Oh, I hesitate to give five stars to anything, but if any book ever deserved it, this one does.
Remember Looking for Mr. Goodbar? Ms. Rossner also wrote that bestseller, but don't let that put you off reading Emmeline - you'd never know it was by the same author. A novel which reads like non-fiction, it's illuminating, heartbreaking and completely absorbing. The simple story of a simple young girl who leaves the farm and goes to work at the mills in Lowell, Massachusetts - and the fate which awaits her there. Don't even think that it's a "lady's book," it isn't. It's a book which will be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys a great narrative - I first read it years ago and just happened upon an old paperback recently. But, oh my dears, man's inhumanity to man!
It reminded me at times of Wharton's Ethan Frome - with a little of Dickens thrown in for good measure. Wonderful.
Ralph
Remember Looking for Mr. Goodbar? Ms. Rossner also wrote that bestseller, but don't let that put you off reading Emmeline - you'd never know it was by the same author. A novel which reads like non-fiction, it's illuminating, heartbreaking and completely absorbing. The simple story of a simple young girl who leaves the farm and goes to work at the mills in Lowell, Massachusetts - and the fate which awaits her there. Don't even think that it's a "lady's book," it isn't. It's a book which will be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys a great narrative - I first read it years ago and just happened upon an old paperback recently. But, oh my dears, man's inhumanity to man!
It reminded me at times of Wharton's Ethan Frome - with a little of Dickens thrown in for good measure. Wonderful.
Ralph
September 20, 2008
This book starts out so strong. Almost historical fiction sounding, and actually really acurate about what I have learned in American History about these "mill girls" that were sent away from families to earn a living. I loved the first part of the book, couldn't put it down, but then it just takes one tragic turn after another and the end is so sad, it's really the worst. Even with the total tragedy that is Emmeline's life, I still really liked the book.
December 24, 2015
Wow this was very disturbing on so many levels. Some say child pornography, others say that Emmeline was badly used by family, friends and everyone she seemed to encounter. Shocking on so many levels.
March 21, 2022
I'll give this book four stars because Rossner tells a good story, but unfortunately, while its true Emeline existed (her real name was Emiline Batchelder) and her community shunned her, this story and the documented facts are at odds, but since it plainly states it is 'inspired' or 'based' on a true story and not claiming to be the facts, I'll give it a pass. It's a good book, but it's also a fanciful story based on memories and bad research.
I believe those who rely on their memories of their grandparents and relatives are telling the story as best they can as it was revealed to them, but as we know, memories can be unreliable. I also believe those who researched the story did the best they could with what was available, but modern methods have uncovered more documentation. I don't believe anyone was trying to deceive anyone; they were just working with the facts available to them at the time.
(I refer anyone interested to the article by Michael F. Dwyer published in the Maine Genealogist, Nov 2012, Vol 34, Number 4. Very detailed and refutes much of the 'true story' aspect of the book.) More than likely, the town shunned Emeline because of bigamy, not incest. She was married twice, (neither husband was young enough to be her son) she had a son, her first husband left her, and she married her second husband when she was in her sixties and he was in his seventies, but she apparently didn't get a divorce from her first husband. She had a cousin who married a man young enough to be her son, but they stayed married until her death, so perhaps the two women's stories were mixed together. As a long time genealogist, I can tell you this happens more than people realize. The abject poverty and 'shunning' apparently lasted for about eight years, not decades. It was still cruel and harsh. The woman was just trying to survive.
As far as the book is concerned, it's good. A tale of mistreatment, cruelty, the plight of women in an overzealous community and unimaginable suffering but told in an engaging manner and even if it's not completely true, it's something I can see happening. Read it. It's a story you won't soon forget.
I believe those who rely on their memories of their grandparents and relatives are telling the story as best they can as it was revealed to them, but as we know, memories can be unreliable. I also believe those who researched the story did the best they could with what was available, but modern methods have uncovered more documentation. I don't believe anyone was trying to deceive anyone; they were just working with the facts available to them at the time.
(I refer anyone interested to the article by Michael F. Dwyer published in the Maine Genealogist, Nov 2012, Vol 34, Number 4. Very detailed and refutes much of the 'true story' aspect of the book.) More than likely, the town shunned Emeline because of bigamy, not incest. She was married twice, (neither husband was young enough to be her son) she had a son, her first husband left her, and she married her second husband when she was in her sixties and he was in his seventies, but she apparently didn't get a divorce from her first husband. She had a cousin who married a man young enough to be her son, but they stayed married until her death, so perhaps the two women's stories were mixed together. As a long time genealogist, I can tell you this happens more than people realize. The abject poverty and 'shunning' apparently lasted for about eight years, not decades. It was still cruel and harsh. The woman was just trying to survive.
As far as the book is concerned, it's good. A tale of mistreatment, cruelty, the plight of women in an overzealous community and unimaginable suffering but told in an engaging manner and even if it's not completely true, it's something I can see happening. Read it. It's a story you won't soon forget.
June 7, 2021
Judith Rossner, author of Looking for Mr. Goodbar, tells the story of Emmeline Mosher. There is an economic downturn in Fayette Maine, where the Mosher family resides. On the verge of starvation, Sarah Mosher's sister suggests that the family send thirteen-year-old Emmeline to Lowell Massachusetts to work in the mills. Emmeline dutifully goes. Lonely and naive she clings to Stephen McGuire, although warned by Mrs. Bass, the proprietor of the rooming house Emily lives with other mill girls, to avoid McGuire. McGuire, in his thirties has committed statutory rape in the past, and does so again. Emily doesn't exactly know what happened to her and doesn't realize she is pregnant.
She has the baby. It is taken from her. The first book ends.
In the second book, although Emmeline, hiding her so called sordid past, has had several suitors. But she has made up her mind to remain single. That is to say, until Matthew Gurney arrives in Fayette. They fall in love, they marry. The aunt who kept Emily through her pregnancy comes to visit and realized Matthew is in fact the son of Emily. Everyone is horrified. Matthew leaves town. Emily makes the decision to stay but spends the rest of her long life in virtual solitude.
Emmeline was published in 1980
She has the baby. It is taken from her. The first book ends.
In the second book, although Emmeline, hiding her so called sordid past, has had several suitors. But she has made up her mind to remain single. That is to say, until Matthew Gurney arrives in Fayette. They fall in love, they marry. The aunt who kept Emily through her pregnancy comes to visit and realized Matthew is in fact the son of Emily. Everyone is horrified. Matthew leaves town. Emily makes the decision to stay but spends the rest of her long life in virtual solitude.
Emmeline was published in 1980
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2022
This beautiful book is painful in so many ways . . . And so worth reading. Based on a true story, it is the tale of a girl who, at 13, is sent to be a mill girl to support her family. She is unprepared for the world outside her family's farm and is quickly exploited by a mill supervisor. When she becomes pregnant, she delivers the child in secret and is sent home to her family. A second chance at happiness ends in a devastating tragedy.
This book hurts. I was so angry at most of the characters, from the adults who were supposed to be role models to this child let her down in so many ways. How her family, having left her unprepared for the world, failed to protect her and understand her. How her religion let her down in the end. How the American system, with its "good down home values" ground her down like a cog in the wheel of industry.
It would be easy to say that this is just fantasy, but I kept wondering, How many Emmelines were there? How many are there still? What have we lost for the damage we did to them?
This book hurts. I was so angry at most of the characters, from the adults who were supposed to be role models to this child let her down in so many ways. How her family, having left her unprepared for the world, failed to protect her and understand her. How her religion let her down in the end. How the American system, with its "good down home values" ground her down like a cog in the wheel of industry.
It would be easy to say that this is just fantasy, but I kept wondering, How many Emmelines were there? How many are there still? What have we lost for the damage we did to them?
October 8, 2008
WOW! I was very surprised and caught off gaurd by the turn this story took at the end.
After "Goodbar," I was so eager to read something else by Judith Rossner, and I chose this one- a main reason is because I was so attracted to the cover, which is beautiful and hideous simultaneoulsy.
It started slow, picked up in the middle, and then, by the end, was hard to put down.
After "Goodbar," I was so eager to read something else by Judith Rossner, and I chose this one- a main reason is because I was so attracted to the cover, which is beautiful and hideous simultaneoulsy.
It started slow, picked up in the middle, and then, by the end, was hard to put down.
February 6, 2015
Another nice work of historical fiction marred by ludicrous soap-opera plot twists.
November 14, 2019
Well written but because it was based on a true story it really depressed me. A book I appreciated rather than enjoyed.
December 30, 2024
Oh emmeline ! Had a discussion in the pub recently about how some people do genuinely seem to be born with no good luck or good fortune at all and seem to attract one disaster after another & so it is with emmeline. One of the most depressing books iv ever read because you just know what disaster is going to befall the beautiful but naive emmeline. It js a pacey page turner but I’d never have read it if it wasn’t my Persephone bookclub pick for December, however I did enjoy it and it’s a solid 3.5 stars 🌟
March 6, 2019
Emmeline is an incredibly well-written historical fiction account of the life of Emeline Bachelder Gurney. The story is powerful in both its framing of moral issues and the tragedies resulting from life events seemingly out of the direct control of the main character.
Emmeline shares numerous similarities to Buffalo Coat by Carol Ryrie Brink (Brink was awarded the Newbery Medal for Caddie Woodlawn). If you enjoyed reading Emmeline, then you'll like reading Buffalo Coat.
Emmeline shares numerous similarities to Buffalo Coat by Carol Ryrie Brink (Brink was awarded the Newbery Medal for Caddie Woodlawn). If you enjoyed reading Emmeline, then you'll like reading Buffalo Coat.
August 3, 2019
Okay, I'm not one to read a "romance" novel, but I found this rather interesting. The poverty in the mid-1800's was incredible and Emmeline's family dealt with it in the only way they could. Emmy was only 13 when she was sent away to work in a factory. She was the eldest of eight children. She was unusually close to her mother and she was inconsolable at being away from her. She was an unusually sheltered girl, her experience outside of the family was limited to a country school and church. Her extreme lonelines and naivety made her vulnerable in a way that she didn't even comprehend.
November 30, 2018
what a really great read! The only way I found out about this book, was watching documentaries on Youtube, and Emmeline's popped up. This story is so sad, and heart wrenching. Emmeline was sent to go work for her family, because they were living in poverty. Her boss gets her pregnant, at the age of 14. She was sent back home and years later meets and and married a young man, which turned out to be her birth son. How the towns people treated the situation was cruel. This story touched my heart.
May 9, 2020
I mourn for this poor woman who was given a terrible hand in life. Knowing this book was based on a true story made everything even more heart wrenching. I can't imagine experiencing what she went through. In a time where women were blamed for everything, even if it was out of their control, poor Emmeline never stood a chance. My heart will always ache for her and I hope she's been able to find peace in the afterlife.
September 18, 2017
Another book about the downfall of the women's virtue causing general unhappiness - in the extreme. I thought the end was a little contrived, but the writing was lovely enough that it was worth reading through.
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December 27, 2011This book was absolutely disturbing. So much so that I still remember the plotline 8 years later!
April 2, 2018
Excellent book.. Emmeline will haunt you...
May 13, 2013
Unrelenting grimness from the very beginning, topped off by a very disturbing ending.
Definitely a memorable book, but not one I recall with pleasure!
Definitely a memorable book, but not one I recall with pleasure!
August 28, 2013
I rarely give a book 5 stars, but this one deserves it. Based on a true story. Highly recommended.
January 29, 2016
I read this book years ago and couldn't think of the name of it. Just ran across it today. I didn't know that it was supposed to be based on a true story. Unbelievable!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews