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TO MARCH OR TO MARRY is a historical novel about suffrage and women's clubs
by Violet Snow
In New York City of the early 1900s, two young women find their friendship torn apart when one of them abandons the dignified, middle-class feminism of their women's club to join suffragettes marching for the vote. Abbie struggles with issues of marriage and motherhood, while Louise seeks independence, but they need each other's help to find their voices in the contentious world of emerging women’s rights.
Visionary feminists Alice Paul and Harriot Stanton Blatch are among the historical figures who make their appearance in this novel about the battle for the vote and the quieter but profound influence of the women’s clubs that gave women tools for changing society.
"A THRILLING AND COMPLEX STORY OF TWO WOMEN’S RAISED CONSCIOUSNESS and visceral experiences as they struggle to gain the vote. It hits all the buzz concepts: domestic violence, force-feeding, blacks passing for white, birth control, and back-alley abortions, plus that unique bond women friends share." --Sheila Isenberg, organizer of the 1970s New York Radical Feminists and author of Muriel's War: An American Heiress in the Nazi Resistance; Women Who Love Men Who Kill; and other books.
"Snow’s talents shine in this very enjoyable story. It sets high standards in depicting this real-world epic struggle, with its wide implications for modern struggles, and struggles to come."--Ed Sanders, political activist, founding member of The Fugs, and author of biographies of Robert F. Kennedy, Anton Chekhov, Allen Ginsberg, and Sharon Tate.
Violet's article in Best Self magazine/website: "Feminism for the Ages: How My Great Grandmother Became a Character in My Novel"--
https://bestselfmedia.com/feminism-for-the-ages/
Published June 2021 in American Ancestors magazine: "A Clubwoman's Letters: Middle-Class Feminism in the Early 1900s," an article by Violet Snow about her great-grandmother's woman's club. Click HERE to read.
Excerpts from reader reviews:
I loved this book! I pre-ordered it and it came in the mail yesterday. I couldn't put it down, and I finished it this morning. It's such a tonic to read about a host of characters who are so proactive and take steps to improve their own lives and the lives of others. I felt so energized after I read it and ready to take on the world. Great read! - Caroline K.
There is a ton of history in the book but it is primarily a wonderful story of interesting friendships and awareness of the traps society set for them and how they fought those traps. It blew me away to realize that women did not have the vote at the time my mother was born. It helps me understand why my mother gave grave importance to voting day, dragging all 4 children with her every time she voted. And she always voted. A great story about gutsy women. - Sara S.
Violet Snow’s novel is a great way to learn about the history of the suffrage movement in the United States. By following two characters, who initially have very different views on the question of women’s right to vote, the history becomes personal. You feel the importance in individual lives of those rights that women did not have at the time: the right to vote, the right to change the laws that affected them, the right to information about birth control, and even the right to clothing that would give them freedom of movement. To March or To Marry keeps you engaged throughout as it moves back and forth between the two characters and luckily in this case, we know the ending already. - Gerry G.
This book could be required reading for teenagers. It presents the plight of women in such a real way and brought awareness to the fact that it isn’t ancient history, and freedoms should never be taken for granted. - Marilyn S.
TO MARCH OR TO MARRY is a historical novel about suffrage and women's clubs
by Violet Snow
In New York City of the early 1900s, two young women find their friendship torn apart when one of them abandons the dignified, middle-class feminism of their women's club to join suffragettes marching for the vote. Abbie struggles with issues of marriage and motherhood, while Louise seeks independence, but they need each other's help to find their voices in the contentious world of emerging women’s rights.
Visionary feminists Alice Paul and Harriot Stanton Blatch are among the historical figures who make their appearance in this novel about the battle for the vote and the quieter but profound influence of the women’s clubs that gave women tools for changing society.
"A THRILLING AND COMPLEX STORY OF TWO WOMEN’S RAISED CONSCIOUSNESS and visceral experiences as they struggle to gain the vote. It hits all the buzz concepts: domestic violence, force-feeding, blacks passing for white, birth control, and back-alley abortions, plus that unique bond women friends share." --Sheila Isenberg, organizer of the 1970s New York Radical Feminists and author of Muriel's War: An American Heiress in the Nazi Resistance; Women Who Love Men Who Kill; and other books.
"Snow’s talents shine in this very enjoyable story. It sets high standards in depicting this real-world epic struggle, with its wide implications for modern struggles, and struggles to come."--Ed Sanders, political activist, founding member of The Fugs, and author of biographies of Robert F. Kennedy, Anton Chekhov, Allen Ginsberg, and Sharon Tate.
Violet's article in Best Self magazine/website: "Feminism for the Ages: How My Great Grandmother Became a Character in My Novel"--
https://bestselfmedia.com/feminism-for-the-ages/
Published June 2021 in American Ancestors magazine: "A Clubwoman's Letters: Middle-Class Feminism in the Early 1900s," an article by Violet Snow about her great-grandmother's woman's club. Click HERE to read.
Excerpts from reader reviews:
I loved this book! I pre-ordered it and it came in the mail yesterday. I couldn't put it down, and I finished it this morning. It's such a tonic to read about a host of characters who are so proactive and take steps to improve their own lives and the lives of others. I felt so energized after I read it and ready to take on the world. Great read! - Caroline K.
There is a ton of history in the book but it is primarily a wonderful story of interesting friendships and awareness of the traps society set for them and how they fought those traps. It blew me away to realize that women did not have the vote at the time my mother was born. It helps me understand why my mother gave grave importance to voting day, dragging all 4 children with her every time she voted. And she always voted. A great story about gutsy women. - Sara S.
Violet Snow’s novel is a great way to learn about the history of the suffrage movement in the United States. By following two characters, who initially have very different views on the question of women’s right to vote, the history becomes personal. You feel the importance in individual lives of those rights that women did not have at the time: the right to vote, the right to change the laws that affected them, the right to information about birth control, and even the right to clothing that would give them freedom of movement. To March or To Marry keeps you engaged throughout as it moves back and forth between the two characters and luckily in this case, we know the ending already. - Gerry G.
This book could be required reading for teenagers. It presents the plight of women in such a real way and brought awareness to the fact that it isn’t ancient history, and freedoms should never be taken for granted. - Marilyn S.