Jennifer Wright has brought to fresh view and consideration the life of Madame Restell, whose success and power were built on one of life’s tragedies --- unwanted pregnancies.

The “madame” of the book’s focus was not a grand lady of French origin, as she wished her customers and social cohorts to believe, but a poor immigrant from England who arrived in New York after a harrowing voyage in 1831. Ann Trow was burdened by her daughter, Caroline, since childcare for the poor was virtually unheard of, but she managed to eke out a living as a seamstress. A widow, her true skills and intelligence came to the fore in her second marriage when she and her husband, newspaperman Charles Lohman, developed and advertised a trade in drugs to induce abortion.

"Restell’s life story encompasses subject matter that has much to teach, and Wright provides diligent, thoughtful research to make that possible."

Madame Restell, as Ann styled herself, claimed to have learned a physician’s skill in France. Soon she was aiding women in ending their pregnancies and thus gained a reputation. Men, who controlled women and the law, might have a pregnant mistress for whom a child would be inconvenient or scandalous. Women sought her services for a plethora of reasons, including the lack of income that resulted from motherhood. Restell and her husband manufactured herbal pills that almost always would result in the termination of a pregnancy, and she was able to perform surgical abortions when needed. As a noted practitioner in her field, she garnered a large following, a grand wardrobe and a mansion.

But Restell was not immune from harsh criticism, landed in court on a number of occasions and served time in prison. Though some who objected to her business were religious conservatives, many of her most vociferous critics were men who were not so much appalled by her chosen profession as they were threatened by the notion of allowing a woman the right to freedom of choice --- any choice.

Wright has vividly and thoroughly revived the dark story of Madame Restell, an undeniably powerful entrepreneur who rose from seemingly hopeless poverty by exercising her innate abilities, excelling and enjoying the fruits of her labors. She examines the thorny issue of abortion from numerous angles, treating it deftly. Restell’s life story encompasses subject matter that has much to teach, and Wright provides diligent, thoughtful research to make that possible.