Prize Women by Caroline Lea

 

This one has been on my stack for a while.  Someone gave it to me; was it you, Anne?  Anyway, I was told this would be interesting.  And that was very true!!

As is this story!  Well, based on true events, that is.  The Will of an arguably eccentric rich man in Toronto in 1926 leaves his monetary fortune to the woman who bears the most children in the 10 years after his death.

WHAT?!?!

Let's step back for a minute.  The birth control pill was not approved for widespread use until 1960.  Women were pretty much considered their husbands' property until, well, debatable.  Let's just say there was not much choice about whether they "wanted" more children in those days.  Big families were common.  

Enter this last Will and Testament.  Of course, the media went crazy as the time drew near to pick a winner.  And the moral questions surrounding this abounded.  Women having children JUST to win the money?  How terrible!  But, the truth was, these women would have had these children anyway, right??  Hmmmm.  Who wanted the money really?  The women?  Or the men who it would legally belong to?

Add a friendship that is born from need, grows for years as two women help each other raise their children, and end up competing for the prize.  Tension is tight as their feelings for each other grow in a time when that type of relationship is not accepted, and then the friendship implodes.  Both women need this money in order to feed their kids.  Who should win?  What if a baby dies at two weeks or, or is stillborn??  Does that child count?  Do children born out of wedlock count?  

I did some historical digging after finishing this story and the reality of it is fascinating and sickening.  This was not the only section of his will that was controversial - he was apparently a great jokester in life and his Will continued this legacy.  I could not put this one down.  It is sad to read of the poverty, the desperation, and the spousal abuse.  There is a hopeful ending, if you will, so do not despair!  A great read about a true event.  Thank you to whomever it was who gave me this book!  I did enjoy it.