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Karen Abbott’s big, bold “Sin”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you haven’t read “Sin in the Second City,” by Atlanta author Karen Abbott, you’re missing a delicious cocktail of historical detail and salaciousness.
Abbott’s “Sin” is about what was, at the time, the most famous whorehouse in the world — the Everleigh Club in Chicago, circa 1900. It was run by two colorful, iron-willed sisters, Minna and Ada Everleigh, and catered only to the richest clients by offering them the best prostitutes (referred to as “butterflies”) in the plushest surroundings.
(Ever hear of a gentleman drinking champagne from a lady’s shoe as a sign of devotion? The Everleigh is where that started, according to Abbott’s book.)
If the whole topic bothers you, well, maybe you ought to skip Abbott’s appearance at 1:15 p.m. Sunday at the Decatur Book Festival. There’s a schedule on the festival’s homepage.
While she doesn’t actually endorse the Everleighs, Abbott appears to sympathize with them in the book, more than the various forces of church and state that eventually shut the club down.
Abbott is not afraid of a little self-promotion, either. The author’s photo on the dust jacket does not exactly portray her as dowdy. Check it out yourself on the book’s website. In AJC staff writer Kirsten Tagami’s profile of Abbott that ran Sunday, Kirsten wrote:
“There’s definitely something in the self-described one-time “troublemaking” Catholic schoolgirl that is attracted to naughtiness. At her New York book party … Abbott was described as “smooching” with her female editor and grabbing a stripper’s breasts for the camera.”
Of course, no such shenanigans will be going on at the Decatur Book Festival.
Enough titillation. “Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys and the Battle for America’s Soul,” is solid history, very much in the territory of Erik Larsen’s “Devil in the White City,” occasionally covering adjacent patches of ground as that best-seller. Abbott and “Sin” just got a huge shout-out in Entertainment Weekly, where Sara Gruen, author of “Water for Elephants,” did a guest critic gig and called Abbott’s writing “exquisite” and her reporting “first-rate.”
Karen Abbott is just one of many reasons to hit the Decatur Book Fest this weekend. Have you read “Sin in the Second City” yet? What did you think?
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Atlanta Events
Phil Kloer has been reviewing books at the AJC for 22 years while doing various other jobs. He's currently an editor at ajc.com. E-mail Phil
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Comments
By Katie
August 28, 2007 7:26 AM | Link to this
People who are offended by history or by sex in general need to grow up. Prostitution is one of the oldest professions. If someone wants to sell their body then let them—as long diseases aren’t transmitted. These bible thumpers and religious finatics need to not look at what offends them. They don’t own the world and they can’t control the people. It’s not all about them.
By Jeff
August 28, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
Phil,
Thanks for writing this blog. I’d never heard of the book before, but it does sound intriguing!
Katie,
Can we keep the vitriol out of this blog for just a little while longer, please?
By KA
August 28, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
Tanks, Phil, I am going for my walk then by the library before work, and I will check it out. Have a great day!
By Maria
August 28, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this
Sounds good! One more event to add to my long and ever-growing DBF agenda.
By brenda
August 28, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this
Don’t miss Wesley Stace’s reading at Eddie’s Attic-an amazing writer with clever wit. (and he can sing too)
By Sheila
August 28, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
I’m with you, Maria. I already have a long list of books to read and just added this one. I love to read historical tomes about women who made something of themselves, even if their chosen profession was less than desirable in the public eye….but then, what job was desirable for women at that time? I just read a book titles A History of Women in America by Carol Hymowitz and Michaele Weissman. It was an eye opener because it told of exactly what women did, day to day. You’d be surprised. Have a good day everyone!
By grabbingsand
August 29, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this
There is a great interview with Karen Abbott at Georgia Podcast Network, recorded a few weeks ago during her reading at the Decatur Library.
By Chicago History Fan
August 31, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
I read the book after it was recommended to me. Wow! The history is terrific- and the style of the book is refreshing. Short chapters on related events that tell the known story of the sisters and their Chicago venture. A must read. I hope that someone picks up the film rights- would love to see the interior shots- including the gold baby grand! Too bad Kimball Piano Piano Company turned them down!