I hadn't really come across the term pop-history before, but it definitely applies to some of the non-fiction I like to read. While I enjoyed reading about such a legendary woman in New York's history, this book felt a bit too "pop" for me to absolutely love it.

Wright's research into Madame Restell's life is detailed, and she portrays all that she found in short chapters that make for easy reading. Madame Restell, one of New York's most well-known (and disliked) abortion providers, was a fascinating woman who had opinions far ahead of her time, and practiced relatively safe abortions at a time when surgeons wouldn't even wash their hands before operating.

However, as beguiling as Madame Restell was, Wright's writing felt a bit basic and her attempts at humor or funny asides felt a bit awkward. Some relatively basic historical events, like the Civil War, were gone into with quite a bit of detail that I thought was largely irrelevant to the story of Madame Restell. It just felt rather elementary to me—I definitely began skimming over bits as I got further in the book. Wright also makes some weird comments where she's trying to make a joke or relate to the reader, but they felt a bit odd and out-of-place(at one point she hates on open concept homes?).

I think this is a really valuable read if you're curious about Madame Restell and life in New York City in the mid-1800s. It is a curious look into a very different time, and we even get glimpses of the Gilded Age, which is one of my favorite times in American history. I especially loved the chapters about architecture that Wright includes (Restell built a beautiful mansion for her family and an apartment building!).

The conclusion brings all that we have read into the present day, and oof—I was stressed! It's scary to imagine the United States going back to a time of illicit, backroom abortions provided by people who don't really know what they're doing, in conditions that aren't the safest. And we honestly don't seem that far from such a world (and this is the case in many parts of the world!). This book is eye-opening, inspiring, thought-provoking, and fear-inducing—one I'd definitely recommend.