A novel of free love, faith, and fraud in 1860s New York. In 1865 in New York City, wives were the property of their husbands, prostitutes were rich, and famous men were often frauds. Escaping an abusive marriage in Illinois, Daniella Maysfield finds herself at the Mission for the Rescue of Fallen Women, where a savvy prostitute becomes her best friend. Inspired by real events—the speeches of Victoria Woodhull in her efforts to amend the Marriage Laws, the trial of spirit photographer William H. Mumler, and P. T. Barnum’s American Museum—Free Spirits is the story of a woman’s struggle for independence.
Winner: Gold Medal in Historical Fiction, 2024 Colorado Independent Press Association; Distinguished Favorite in Historical Fiction, 2024 Independent Press Awards; Distinguished Favorite for Cover Design, 2024 Independent Press Awards; Distinguished Favorite, NYC Big Book Award.
Mary Reed’s new novel, Free Spirits, not only takes the reader back in time to an 1865 America still reeling from the Civil War, but to another dimension, where spirits hover and can occasionally be seen, thanks to a nascent technology: photography. Her book, like its protofeminist protagonist, sports charm, pluck, and a tart sense of humor. Channel it! —David Hoppe, author of Mondo POTUS and Letters from Michiana
Loved it! An engrossing narrative rich with supernatural flair, societal conventions, and pre-industrial revolution culture. What is freedom, and what does it mean to eschew societal customs? These are two themes explored in Free Spirits, a short book (216 pages) detailing the main character, Ella’s foray into 1865 New York culture.
Previously in an abusive marriage, Ella flees after her safety is jeopardized. She finds more support than she realizes as she makes her own way. In a time when women were considered property of marriage with few rights, she discovers that she doesn’t need or want to be dependent on a husband for survival. Then due to happenstance, Ella finds herself propelled into a profession rife with mysticism, exhilaration, and later accusations.
The people she meets along the way are central to the protagonist’s quest for freedom. One friend in particular makes Ella question morals, judgments, and the ultimate quest for equal rights. As she discovers who she is and what she wants, she ultimately finds that nothing is as simple as she thought it would be.
I enjoyed this book and how the author weaved a story rich with lush imagery and extensive period details, particularly for P.T. Barnum’s American Museum. Set during tumultuous times amidst a social revolution, Reed does an excellent job with each detail, rewarding the reader with a vivid portrait of the time when women were seen as second-class citizens.
The focus on mysticism is also present throughout the book, which exquisitely presides over the storyline, seemingly like another character. Because this book was inspired by real events, such as the speeches of Victoria Woodhull in her quest to change the Marriage Laws and the trial of spirit photographer William H. Mumler, readers are given a glimpse into a long-gone world that still influences culture today.
Ultimately, Free Spirits is about Ella’s unwavering dedication to her independence. I recommend this book for its rich characters, backstories, and historical significance. —Aurora Eliam, Reedsy, Ltd.
by Mary Hutchings Reed
A novel of free love, faith, and fraud in 1860s New York. In 1865 in New York City, wives were the property of their husbands, prostitutes were rich, and famous men were often frauds. Escaping an abusive marriage in Illinois, Daniella Maysfield finds herself at the Mission for the Rescue of Fallen Women, where a savvy prostitute becomes her best friend. Inspired by real events—the speeches of Victoria Woodhull in her efforts to amend the Marriage Laws, the trial of spirit photographer William H. Mumler, and P. T. Barnum’s American Museum—Free Spirits is the story of a woman’s struggle for independence.
Winner: Gold Medal in Historical Fiction, 2024 Colorado Independent Press Association; Distinguished Favorite in Historical Fiction, 2024 Independent Press Awards; Distinguished Favorite for Cover Design, 2024 Independent Press Awards; Distinguished Favorite, NYC Big Book Award.
Mary Reed’s new novel, Free Spirits, not only takes the reader back in time to an 1865 America still reeling from the Civil War, but to another dimension, where spirits hover and can occasionally be seen, thanks to a nascent technology: photography. Her book, like its protofeminist protagonist, sports charm, pluck, and a tart sense of humor. Channel it! —David Hoppe, author of Mondo POTUS and Letters from Michiana
Loved it! An engrossing narrative rich with supernatural flair, societal conventions, and pre-industrial revolution culture. What is freedom, and what does it mean to eschew societal customs? These are two themes explored in Free Spirits, a short book (216 pages) detailing the main character, Ella’s foray into 1865 New York culture.
Previously in an abusive marriage, Ella flees after her safety is jeopardized. She finds more support than she realizes as she makes her own way. In a time when women were considered property of marriage with few rights, she discovers that she doesn’t need or want to be dependent on a husband for survival. Then due to happenstance, Ella finds herself propelled into a profession rife with mysticism, exhilaration, and later accusations.
The people she meets along the way are central to the protagonist’s quest for freedom. One friend in particular makes Ella question morals, judgments, and the ultimate quest for equal rights. As she discovers who she is and what she wants, she ultimately finds that nothing is as simple as she thought it would be.
I enjoyed this book and how the author weaved a story rich with lush imagery and extensive period details, particularly for P.T. Barnum’s American Museum. Set during tumultuous times amidst a social revolution, Reed does an excellent job with each detail, rewarding the reader with a vivid portrait of the time when women were seen as second-class citizens.
The focus on mysticism is also present throughout the book, which exquisitely presides over the storyline, seemingly like another character. Because this book was inspired by real events, such as the speeches of Victoria Woodhull in her quest to change the Marriage Laws and the trial of spirit photographer William H. Mumler, readers are given a glimpse into a long-gone world that still influences culture today.
Ultimately, Free Spirits is about Ella’s unwavering dedication to her independence. I recommend this book for its rich characters, backstories, and historical significance. —Aurora Eliam, Reedsy, Ltd.
