Hobbies and Crafts

It took me a while to get into this book. In fact, I chose not to read much of the first chapter. It contains a very vivid description of the contraceptive contraptions available to women in the 1920's and how they were installed. Obviously Ms Ferguson's intent was to shock the reader, as it is hard for us in today's society to understand what these poor women had to endure in order to try to control the otherwise steady flow of often unwanted babies. However, I soon became engrossed in the characters as their individual stories unfolded and finally entwined. It is the story of a crime but is so much more. We take family planning for granted today. How different it was 100 years ago when dying in childbirth was the norm. Norah, Lettie and Rae and the women they represent will haunt me for days to come I am sure.