Liberty Street

Liberty Street tells the dark history of Toronto's Mercer Reformatory for Women, and it pulled me in emotionally from the start. I knew almost nothing about this prison, or about the legislation that let authorities lock women away for being "incorrigible," pregnant out of wedlock, or simply unwilling to marry. Incorrigibility was a frighteningly subjective label. A father, a husband, or a judge could apply it to almost any woman who didn't behave as expected. Marshall portrays the injustices done to these women in horrific, unadulterated detail. It's another example of a patriarchal society trying to control women's behavior, and it made me angry. Of course, men faced no similar punishment, which made me even angrier.

Emily, a young journalist, is the heart of the story and is willing to get herself committed to expose the atrocities inside. I loved her determination to uncover the horrors of how these women were treated. Her bravery, coupled with the support of the women she meets, gives the book real emotional depth. While the main characters are well-developed, some supporting characters feel a bit simple and one-sided.

The novel uses a dual timeline. As usual for me, I preferred the historical storyline to the present-day one, and the pacing faltered at times. Still, I enjoyed this book very much and learned about a chapter of Canadian history that deserves far more recognition. It's a moving, infuriating, and important read, and I recommend it, especially for fans of Looking For Jane.