Book Review: Sin In The Second City by Karen Abbott

Back at the turn of the century, prostitution was more or less legal everywhere in the United States – though barely. Sin in the Second City by Karen Abbott talks about this time in history by framing the book around the most infamous brothel in the country: Chicago’s Everleigh Club.

Run by sisters Minna and Ada, the Everleigh Club was the crème de la crème of whorehouses. The Everleigh sisters’ goal was to make prostitution a respectable profession. They transformed an abandoned building in the red light district of Chicago (known as the Levee) into a high-end, upscale hotel that happened to offer prostitutes. The club was decorated in gold filigree and imported antiques; gourmet food was available around the clock; the finest piano player in the country was hired to play in the front parlor. Minna and Ada treated their girls like human beings. They wore couture gowns instead of skimpy lingerie. They were given an education, and encouraged to engage their johns in conversation about politics and literature. Unlike other prostitutes in the area, the Everleigh sisters had a zero-tolerance policy for drug use and theft – two activities that were encouraged in other brothels. Because of this, women came from all over the country to turn tricks at the Everleigh Club; there was even a waiting list.

While the law turned a blind eye to the activities in the Levee (many law and government officials were clients or on the take), pressure from religious groups was growing heavy. Led by Reverend Bell, these religious activists were trying to turn the tide of public opinion, by claiming that all prostitutes in the Levee district were victims of the white slave trade. By claiming that young women across the country were being abducted, drugged, and raped into submission, Bell and his followers convinced the public that these “dens of sin” were ruining the lives of women. While it may have been true that a few women were tricked or forced into prostitution, Bell’s case was weakened when it was intimated that he, in fact, hired or coerced women into telling the story that he wanted told. Nonetheless, he did manage to shut the Levee district shut down, and get prostitution outlawed.

Abbott writes the non-fiction book almost like a novel, with rich descriptions and an eye towards character. Sin in the Second City never gets salacious, though the author sometimes gets flowery with her descriptions. Though the end tone leans towards sympathy for the legalization of prostitution, Abbott never vilifies the religious zealots who would have the whole system shut down. Unfortunately, this also creates a lack of conflict. All parties concerned seem remarkably respectful of the other side, at least according to Abbott’s portrayal. It makes the book interesting, but unfortunately a slow read.

Article Author: Alyse Wax

Alyse is a television producer by day, fashion writer by night. She can't choose between the two, so she simply doesn't sleep. You can read more articles at SporkFashion.com

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