* A huge thank you to Rosie Crofts from Pen & Sword books, for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Georgian Harlots and Whores by Mike Rendell
Georgian Harlots and Whores focuses on the celebrities of the day: the courtesans. These women were the top-tier sex workers of their day. They were fashionistas, and women would follow the trends they set. The courtesan was an upper-class sex worker, who was paid to be on the arm of a wealthy 'gentleman', who would give them money and gifts in exchange for their sexual favours and for being their mistress. The women were paid to accompany them to the theatre, parties and dinners etc. The men wanted to show off that they could afford the most sought after women.
What soon becomes apparent in the first few chapters, is that within this circle of courtesans and men, everyone knew everyone else and through the years they were all gradually sleeping with each other. There were many love triangles and savage break ups. The press loved the scandal and much like today's press would pile on the praise and adoration, and the next minute they would try to bring the courtesan down by making fun of them. These glamourous 18th century 'celebs' used the press to their advantage, they had prints made of their portraits to spread their fame and image, and they would hire the same box at the opera for every performance that season, so they were seen and adored by as many people as possible. They were business women.
Many of the women featured had hard beginnings, but later rose to celebrity status. In part one of the book the author explores what a celebrity is, then and now, and how it differs. We also read how the women operated, reached courtesan status and became so sought after. In part two Rendell features some of the most famous courtesans, including: Fanny Murray, Francis Abington and Elizabeth Armistead. Rendell has written a fascinating biography of each featured lady's life and profession. Some of the courtesans eventually slipped into obscurity, or had sad endings, but a few managed to succeed in life and enjoyed other careers, happy marriages, or enjoyed the wealth they had managed to amass during their career as a sex worker. In a time when women had few rights, these ladies used their body and image to gain their own money and thus their freedom.
As with all Mike Rendell's books, I really enjoyed this one. His books are always educational, entertaining and a joy to read!
buy your copy here (please check your local independent bookshops first)
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