Blessed Motherhood, Bitter Fruit: Nelly Roussel and the Politics of Female Pain in Third Republic France (Hardcover)

~ Elinor Accampo (Author)
Key Phrases: fraternelle des femmes, lances rompues, grève des ventres, Nelly Roussel, Marguerite Durand, Henri Godet (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This moving biography of one of French feminism's most courageous public figures reveals in intimate detail the personal sacrifices Nelly Roussel made in pursuit of her crusade to give women control over their own bodies and sexuality. Actress, celebrated beauty, and hypnotic speaker, Roussel staked out radical positions on women's rights that would not be realized for seventy-five years. Accampo gives us here a definitive account of the overwhelming obstacles faced by 'first wave' feminists in their struggles against the politics and culture of patriarchy." -- Robert A. Nye, Oregon State University

"In this brilliant book, Elinor Accampo analyzes the life of Nelly Roussel, a conflicted mother and a seemingly tireless public speaker who spoke out on both private and public issues. Through this fascinating and colorful biography told within the social and cultural context of modern France, readers will develop an understanding of the history of the time and the varieties of feminism in new and important ways. Accampo's writing is so skilled that scholars and students alike will sense that they know Roussel. This book will have important classroom use in courses not only on the history of France, but for those on the history of sexuality, politics, and feminism." -- Rachel G. Fuchs, Arizona State University, interim director of the Institute for Humanities Research

"A top pick for any definitive women's history collection." -- California Bookwatch

"Accampo's biography is to be recommended for offering a wealth of information on a fascinating figure on the margins of the women's movement." -- Alison S. Fell, Modern and Contemporary France

"Provides insightful analysis... Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above." -- Choice

"An exceptionally engaging, comprehensively researched, and finely crafted study. A significant contribution." -- Carolyn J. Eichner, American Historical Review

"Well organized and enjoyable to read." -- Holger H. Herwig, Canadian Journal of History

"A deeply engaging and well-researched biography of French feminist and birth-control advocate Nelly Roussel... It should be of great interest to feminist scholars and French historians, and its thoughtful examination of the cultural politics of female pain and suffering also offers valuable insights to historians of medicine." -- Journal of Historical Biography

"Masterful... offers a weaving of personal and political that at times is breathtaking. Copious correspondence between Roussel and her husband, family, friends, and colleagues allows Accampo to plumb the spaces in which private and public lives overlapped, sometimes uncomfortably." -- French Politics, Culture, and Society

Review

Roussel was flamboyantly at odds with prevailing notions of gender among her contemporaries, making her work and life a fascinating lens through which to understand her world. Thanks to Accampo, Roussel's feminist mission comes alive.James Smith Allen, Southern Illinois University

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1 edition (August 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801884047
• ISBN-13: 978-0801884047
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,109,514 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her biographer does an outstanding job of linking Roussel's life and thoughts, December 11, 2006

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

One of French feminism's most courageous public figures has received relatively little in-depth mention until now: Nelly Roussel's crusade gave women control over their own bodies and sexuality and Blessed Motherhood Bitter Fruit reveals her sacrifices and accomplishments during the process. Roussel was an actress and beauty who defined parameters of the women's movement which would not be realized for over seventy years: she was the first feminist spokeswoman for birth control in Europe and her lectures, essays, and speeches promoted then-radical ways of thinking. Her biographer does an outstanding job of linking Roussel's life and thoughts to her times and the evolving history of the women's movement as a whole, making it a top pick for any definitive women's history collection.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch