The Secrets of Lizzie Borden (Paperback)

"I can only tell you this, for whatever it is worth to you, all those old adages about money embroidered on so many samplers are absolutely true; it cannot buy happiness and it is the root of all evil." This, a quote from Lizzie Borden in the book, entirely sums up the story of Lizzie, at least as told in this book. This fictional account of Lizzie and the murders of her parents is so excellently told, it reads like it was written by Lizzie herself. I am thoroughly impressed with how engaging it is and the amazing polarity of the character of Lizzie. Purdy has outdone herself. As one long fascinated with the story of Lizzie Borden, I, like many others, have often speculated on whether she truly committed the murders (I have always leaned toward yes) and if she did, what was her motivation. Unlike the many stories I've watched about Borden in the television medium, this telling fully develops Lizzie as a person. We learn of her inner fears and wants. We learn of a life with very little love from a miserly father and a grave and cold sister. And not only was her father a miser, but he was also condescending and always quick to inform Lizzie of her naivety and lack of worth in the eyes of others, except as a source of getting to his wealth. Lizzie was a woman so desperate for love and affection that trying to grasp it in any way she could was what ultimately led her to the rash decision and terrible acts that would change her life forever. Going back to the quote above, Lizzie thought that she would be free...and she was. She was free to spend money and live the way she always wanted. And yet, although she was acquitted of the murders, no one ever truly believed she didn't do it and that stain would follow her the rest of her days. She could never feel truly loved because someone always seemed to have ulterior motives of getting close to her to get her story, or for notoriety. Sadly, the one time she had a chance at happiness was dashed because of her notorious past. She was destined to spend the rest of her life alone. That Lizzie was a bisexual woman is neither here nor there. There are plenty of people in history that I'm sure were the same. In Lizzie's case, instead of being liberated by loving who she wanted, because of the norms of the time, and her upbringing to feel shame, she could never truly be happy, or feel good about herself and how she felt toward other women. Suppressed sexuality can lead to volatile feelings and this may be another clue to the motivations of her committing the murders. We will never truly know if she did it or not. Since she was acquitted by a court of law, one wants to believe that perhaps she was innocent. However, in my mind, I must go along with the portrayal in this book, which coincides with what I've always believed. Do I think what Lizzie did was wrong? Yes, I do. Do I feel she was not punished properly? Yes, I do. Lizzie received a far worse punishment than if she would have been sentenced to hang. She sentenced herself to a life of loneliness and self-loathing. To me, that was punishment enough. The Secrets of Lizzie Borden really is a must read. I can't even begin to express how much I enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it.

Ohhhh gawd....guess who i share a birthday with?? ( tho a few years later ) Perhaps that's why i understand the frustrations, desires, and wily nature of Lizzie Borden?! Yes, the 40 whacks Lizzie Borden.... Brandy Purdy has taken a topic that has been previously researched, debated upon, and about which miles of conjecture have been written, and ingeniously come up with a unique slant. The all-important WHY -what instigated the fury on the blistering hot day in 1892?? WHO knew? WAS older sister Emma so meek and mild after all ? WHAT was Lizzie seeking at the ripe old age of 32?? She wanted her freedom. She had distorted visions of love, wealth and admiration for her future. She wanted OUT of the prison-like atmosphere she thought her homelife was, with her sister father and step-mother. And yet....after the trial all she actually did was trade one 'prison' for another. The difference? The new one had riches beyond imagination, without the love and instead a life of denigration. Pride goeth before the fall the saying goes......she had enough for all of us.

Why read The Secrets of Lizzie Borden by Brandy Purdy? I have always been intrigued by this part of American history and I am always found Brandy Purdy's books so easy to get into. Before reading this book, I wondered why the crime was committed. Now I know that there were many compelling reasons. We are taken into the times when women's opinions meant little and men control of their lives. The scene at Fall River, Massachusetts is set very well with attention to the details of dress, social customs and prejudices of the times. The story is narrated by Lizzie Borden. She tells about her childhood and her feelings about her father. Andrew Jackson Borden's first occupation was being an undertaker. He was very successful financially but his way of doing business will make you squirm. He cared only to make more money, not to care for his family. They had no heat, no running water, paper thin walls in their house. They wore the cheapest clothing, had baths in the basement with water carried by their maid. Spoiled meat was not thrown out. All this and her father could afford much better. The suitors were turned away for Lizzie and Emma by the father as fortune seekers. Lizzie's frustration of this situation grew and grew, especially when her father remarried and the step mother posed a threat to the two daughters' inheritance, the only promise of freedom from their misery. One day it got to be too much for her to take. Brandy Purdy's writing is incredibly vivid. There are two violent scenes that I know I must have closed my eyes in reaction! Although this is a fictional book, it did include many factual happenings in her life. Lizzie Borden is a very multidimensional personality. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in American historical fiction. I look forward to reading more historical fiction from Brandy Purdy. I received this book as a win in a contest from the author, Brandy Purdy but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in this review.

Lizzie Borden took an ax.... Most of us know that little bit of "poetry" about this famous murderess from Massachusetts. I knew very little about the woman behind the myth so I was very intrigued when offered this novel about her. I've read other books by Ms. Purdy and enjoyed so I thought I'd enter into the world of Lizzie Borden. Most of the book is pure fiction because not much is known about Lizzie and her early life other than her father was a cheapskate. He had grown up without much money and despite doing quite well financially he still didn't like to spend money - even to the point of common "luxuries" like oh, indoor plumbing! This led Lizzie and her sister to dreaming of the day they would be free of him and inherit his money. That dream went down the tubes when her father remarried. One day Andrew and his wife are found dead - as we all know - from being hacked with a hatchet. Did Lizzie do it? The police thought so and she was soon arrested. I'm not giving out any spoilers here when I tell you that she was ultimately acquitted and that sets up the last section of the book. Lizzie decides to remain in the city but she is reviled and does not live happily ever after. This was an interesting look into a legendary woman. She was legendary for some very awful reasons. This also makes her a less than sympathetic character for a reader to try and get behind. She didn't have the best of childhoods and it was not a time in history when women were particularly appreciated but very few of them ended up accused of being an ax murderer. Ms. Purdy creates a fully dimensional Lizzie out of what little history provided. The story is more compelling in the beginning than after the trial perhaps because there was just more going on. I don't think the freedom Lizzie longed for provided what she thought it would. Accusations of murder do have a way of casting a pall over one's life - whether she did it or not everyone believed that she did.

I'm a bit mixed on this book. I liked the dark overtone and getting into the mind of an American legend. Yet, there were aspects of her character that I extremely disliked (a goal of the author maybe??), and the flow of the story stream seemed to be skewed to a degree that was confusing and, at times, unenjoyable. Purdy definitely knows how to set an atmosphere and create a vivid picture. At times, these things can get a bit too graphic (thinking the multiple discussions of Lizzie's bodily functions). But the miserly life that Lizzie was forced to lead, the constrictions, her escapes, the trial, her later years haunted by shunning and her reputation all create an amazing background for Lizzie's life story. My favorite part of this whole book was getting into Lizzie's head. We got to see what motivated her, her inner urges, and her struggles/triumphs. I liked how human the author made her, almost to other extreme of making her too unlikable. There were times when I was very exasperated at Lizzie; if I knew her in real life, I can safely say that I wouldn't like her much either. Yet, that speaks to the author's skill; even though I didn't like Lizzie, I still rooted for her. I do wish the balance of the story had been a little different. Much time was spent on establishing Lizzie's earlier life: how miserable she was, her family dynamics, her trying to find herself in a society that is rigid as all hell, and her search for any type of love. By the time we got to the murder and trial bits, we seem to be on overdrive in that all the page spent on these is maybe an eighth of the book. Then we go back to our glacier pace in exploring Lizzie's life post-trial, facing prejudice, apathy, and general shunning by most everyone in her life. Now both parts of her journey, pre- and post- trial, are interesting as heck for the most part; it's what explores her innermost thoughts and motivations after all. Yet, I was really hungering for more on the trial itself and its immediate impact on Lizzie and her community. Seeing how such a case got so muddled with counter testimony and the Victorian attitude that a respectable woman just couldn't do such a crime was what I was really looking for along with getting to know Lizzie as an individual. So sad loss there... Even though I could have wished for more aspects of the story, that's a personal wish; another reader may find the balance of the story elements work for them. I liked how the author got into Lizzie's head. A woman who can be driven to such a bloody, violent crime makes for interesting reading, whether you like her or not. I enjoyed this foray into the underbelly of Victorian society. I think others would as well. Note: Book received for free from publisher via GR giveaway in exchange for an honest review.