Madwoman: Nellie Bly

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First, this book takes fifty pages to even get to the start of Nellie's journalism career, and with a brisk 282 pages that's too long for me.

She studied at the Royal College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music, and worked as a freelance orchestral player and teacher. An extraordinary portrait of a woman ahead of her time, Madwoman is the story of a quest for the truth that changed the world. This is the kind of novel that makes you want to jump on the internet and find out a whole lot more about everything you’ve just read.It made me angry, it made me sad, it made me proud… Nellie Bly was an exceptional woman and it makes me happy to know that she fought for those women who didn’t have a voice. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. The daughter of a judge, ‘Pink’ as she was nicknamed by her family, was encouraged to be curious and learn about a range of subjects, including those generally thought to be unsuitable for women at the time. Based on a true story, a spellbinding historical novel about the world's first female investigative journalist, Nellie Bly.

Fortunately, she had not been forgotten by the newspaper and was released from Blackwell against the wishes of those in charge.A fascinating read' HAZEL GAYNOR'Remarkable' ESSIE FOX'An astonishing tour de force' REBECCA MASCULLIn 1887 young Nellie Bly sets out for New York and a career in journalism, determined to make her way as a serious reporter, whatever that may take. Madwoman is one of the best, a magnificent portrayal of Nellie Bly in all her journalistic integrity and daring. She witnessed her mum being abused by her second husband and so that makes her all the more determined to stand up for herself and stand out. Having paved the way for mental health facilities around the country, Nellie was a trailblazer in creating a new type of journalist, an undercover. Although it started a bit slow for me, sifting through Nellie’s (nicknamed Pink) childhood and family struggles, this was a fascinating and propulsive story.

Down to her last dime and desperate to prove her worth, she comes up with a dangerous plan: to fake insanity and have herself committed to the asylum that looms on Blackwell's Island. And I saw this book while I was at my office, so I decided to give it a go because her story did seem both interesting and admirable. Incredibly she manages to convince sufficient people that sheis suffering from mental illness to getcommitted to the asylum.The World newspaper gives her a chance when she decides to do an exposé on the rumored mistreatment of women in the insane asylum.

Her dream of a career in law lies in tatters, her mother’s second marriage is a disaster but all these experiences will shape her character and her future.Having already read Louisa Treger's earlier books, 'The Lodger' and 'The Dragon Lady', I was really looking forward to 'Madwoman'. Determined to become a journalist in a male-dominated world Nellie tries to make a name for herself exposing deplorable conditions of working women in Pittsburgh, but in doing so angers the (male) business owners who threaten to pull their advertising from the newspaper if her articles continue. An important and shining book that brings to light a female pioneer who needs to be understood and celebrated. It takes her to slums where whole families do everything in one room, deprived of privacy and dignity. She brings the characters and places to life so clearly that you’d believe they were right in front of you.