The day Ruth Foster’s life changes begins the same way as many others—with a walk through her North Carolina hometown toward the diner where she works. But on this day, Ruth is stopped by the local sheriff, who insists that she accompany him to a health clinic. Women like Ruth—young, unmarried, living alone—must undergo testing in order to preserve decency and prevent the spread of sexual disease.
Though Ruth has never shared more than a chaste kiss with a man, by day’s end she is one of dozens of women held at the State Industrial Farm Colony for Women. Some, like 15-year-old Stella Temple, are brought in at their family’s request. For Stella, even the Colony’s hardships seem like a respite from her nightmarish home life.
Superintendent Dorothy Baker, convinced that she’s transforming degenerate souls into upstanding members of society, oversees the women’s medical treatment and “training” until they’re deemed ready for parole. Sooner or later, everyone at the Colony learns to abide by Mrs. Baker’s rule book or face the consequences—solitary confinement, grueling work assignments, and worse.
But some refuse to be cowed. Against Mrs. Baker’s dogged efforts and the punishing weight of authority, Ruth and other inmates find ways to fight back, resolved to regain their freedom at any cost . . .
This is not the kind of book to be 'enjoyed'. It's the kind of book to enrage, inspire, engage and captivate. Based on the real-life horror stories of the countless detention centres, asylums and institutions created as cover stories to imprison women who didn't comply with societies expectations under false pretences. This book cracks the door to one of these places, giving us a glimpse to the dark, depraved, inhuman things happening inside.
That's where we find Ruth and Stella - a young woman and a teenager, a child really, locked away for the crime of promiscuity when their only crimes were being abused by their parents or not doing what is expected by men. The core cast is finished off with Dorothy, a woman complicit in her own oppression and too scared or ignorant to fight back. Each character is crafted so well that they reach out of the pages - creating deep feelings of care, fear and disgust respectively.
They wrap around the story from all angles, inside and out; with raw, personal and honest narration. It creates a harrowing portrait of the women and girls subjected to the abuse that was and still is pervasive in society. From outright violence and assault, to the more subtle coercion and control that keeps women unable or scared to take action. This story takes everything to explore the devastating reality of system misogyny.
"Is there a reform program for men? If they test positive, are they sent to a facility like this one?' Nurse Crawford pauses writing her notes, 'No.' 'But if they get it, what happens to them?' Nurse Crawford doesn't answer …"
While this goes on, the world is built up around us while we're locked in our isolated room - we see the remnants of war, corruption, government overreach, the hypocrisy of enforcers, mob mentality and the empty justifications of men in power to back up their own hateful agenda and distract the public from their truths. The 'Colony' is one of those places full of hypocrisy and lies - locking away women they claim to have std's to protect soldiers from catching them rather than teaching men. They lock away women for having abortions while also forcing them to have them. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
The story moves between our three women, first settling into their lives and giving us a feeling for 40's life before everything happens. The settings are isolating, descriptive, invoking not only a sense of the time but the Colony too. Eventually, other inmates voices add to the mix, each with a new perspective and new terrifying story to share. I found the pace very slow and sparse at times but that's the only criticism I have and still absolutely recommend you pick this up.
Everhart achieves a deep connection even with a third person narrative style - written in a way that allows for secrets and misdirection, creating situations where both us and the characters can be kept in the dark and share in their anxiety. It is full of a sense of dread and suspense that was nerve-wracking.
An important and undeniably memorable story inspired by women's history that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Women of a Promiscuous Nature will be available from January 27th with Kensington Publishing.
- I received a reviewers copy of this title - this book contains potentially upsetting subjects including abortion, abuse, rape and sexism.
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