Matrons and Madams (Bread and Roses, 1)

A very enjoyable read.

A World War I era story that starts in the UK and soon moves to Canada, more specifically the outlying city of Lethbridge. There is a curious truism in this story: Canada has always been a hotbed for nurses from Ireland and the UK emigrating to find work, as well as the residents of the maritime provinces of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and PEI who go west seeking work when mining and fishing opportunities are slim. Now the migration is mostly for the oil fields, but there are families who leave impoverished circumstances in the east to seek fortune and employment in the middle of the country.At the end of World War I, the Canadian men who returned home often needed to travel far for employment. Such was the case for Lily Parsons, a schoolteacher and widow who followed her husband west. Now she is widowed and needs to find a way to support herself. Almost at the same time, Abby Durling, also widowed, has arrived to take the position of superintendent at the new hospital.The essential story tells the tales of a woman dedicated to the health and well-being of the town coming to work with a woman who manages a successful brothel, and their struggles to deal with high incidences of venereal disease. Lethbridge, like many communities in the 1920’s was not interested in the changes being brought by the out-of-towners in to work and play.Political battles, the rise of unions, a health crisis and the struggles of two women trying to make lives for themselves against near impossible odds. This is a story of growing pains for both Abby and Lily, but also of a town in the midst of an embarrassing crisis as they struggle to move with the times after war.Reading this story was a bit slower than I would have expected or hoped: while the concepts were wonderful, the author’s prose is often clunky: events seem to always happen in a this then that then this manner with little connection between them, and the dialogue feels forced and unnatural, even allowing for word use that was more prevalent of the day. More than once I had to put this book down and walk away: there is little introduction and both Lily and Abby sound quite similar despite their differences, so keeping track of stories and events often took some time to come clear. I’m wondering if the rather awkward narration was a result of trying to include so much historical detail and feel, when I believe that the story could have benefitted from more fictionalized thoughts and impressions from both characters as they dealt with each new issue, real or imagined. In looking at the author’s backlist, I see several “how to in ___ steps” stories, which may explain the decided focus on each event remaining just slightly removed from those around it.I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

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