Pink Chimneys: A Novel of Nineteenth Century Maine [Hardcover]

Ardeana Hamlin Knowles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1987

Back in print by popular demand! Set against the backdrop of temperance crusades, emerging statehood, and the explosive economic and political importance of Bangor when it ws the lumber capital of the world, Pink Chimneys captures the romance and excitement of Maine's colorful history in a story that interweaves the lives of a midwife, a madam, and a young seamstress with an unknown connection to both.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This mild and somewhat predictable first novel, set in 19th century Maine, is the saga of three strong-willed women who, although trapped by the mores of their time, make peace with the injustices of the era and eventually triumph. Maude Richmond is a spirited and independent teenager who wishes to become a physician like her father. Since that profession is closed to women, she becomes a midwife, choosing to tend to the childbirths of "fallen women" in defiance of the dictum that the they are evil incarnate. One of her patients, 16-year-old Fanny Abbot, has been seduced and abandoned. Reluctantly, Fanny gives her newborn daughter to her sister to raise and is set up by a Bangor businessman as madam of his posh house of prostitution, Pink Chimneys. The circle of intertwined relationships closes years later when Elizabeth Emerson, Fanny's daughter, is hired to work at Pink Chimneys as a seamstress. Unfortunately, the characters here are pale feminist stereotypes, second in interest to finely detailed descriptions of the burgeoning and thriving new state of Maine.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Pink Chimneys is "a gentlemen's club, a place for men to conduct business and entertain their associates." Such is the delicate description of the classiest brothel in 19th-century Bangor, Maine. It is also the title of this enjoyable novel about three generations of women who are closely linked: Fanny, her daughter, Elizabeth, and Maude, the midwife who delivered her. Treated with the same delicacy is the feminist viewpoint, which runs throughout. Sex and childbirth are regular occurrences but are handled with decorum expected of the era. Unfortunately, short declarative sentences which do not fit the mood of the story are used to excess, especially in the first part. That choppiness aside, the plot and characters are interesting and hold the reader's attention. Recommended. Andrea Lee Shuey, Dallas P.L.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Harpswell Press; 1st edition (October 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0884480410
• ISBN-13: 978-0884480419
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,092,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pink Chimneys is one of those books you don't want to end!, December 31, 1999

By 

Linda Flanders (Hattiesburg, Mississippi) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pink Chimneys: A Novel of Nineteenth-Century Maine (Paperback)

I grew up in the Bangor area, and this book was a gift from my mother-in-law, who still lives in Maine.

I love historical novels, and I love stories about strong women. Pink Chimneys is an excellent example of both. I truly did not want to put it down.

The book devotes a section to each of three women. I read each section caught up in the life of that character and wanting to know more about her. While I was reading the section about Maude, I wanted to go on reading about her, not go on to the next person. However, while I was reading Fanny's section, I felt the same way about Fanny and wanted to know more about her. I felt the same way about Elizabeth.

I've already lent the book to a friend to read. Great book!

5.0 out of 5 stars Pink Chimneys, February 26, 2008

By 

sagegirl (Ellsworth, ME) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pink Chimneys: A Novel of Nineteenth-Century Maine (Paperback)

I agree with the first reviewer and did not want to put the book down. The story lines are excellent and made me aware of how difficult being a woman was 200 years ago and of how much progress we have made. It gave me a strong appreciation of the struggle women have had, and I highly recommend it to women of all ages. I can't wait until my college-age daughter reads it, so we can discuss it.