5 stars Really interesting trip into Melbourne s history focused on of most famous Madame The sequencing of the biography means there s a bit of repetition Given the interesting subject matter sometimes this felt unnecessary in saying that the biography highlights the success of an iconic businesswoman at a time when much was stacked against women 1743823614

Madame Brussels: The Life and Times of Melbourne's Most Notorious Woman By Barbara Minchinton

1743823614

9781743823613

English

399

Kindle Edition

A must read biography of an enigmatic personality who helped shape early MelbourneMadame Brussels the most legendary brothel keeper in nineteenth century Melbourne is still remembered and celebrated today But until now little has been known about Caroline Hodgson the woman behind the alter ego Born in Prussia to a working class family Caroline arrived in Melbourne in 1871 Left alone when her police officer husband was sent to work in remote Victoria she turned her hand to running brothels Before long she had proved herself brilliantly her principal establishment was a stone s throw from Parliament House lavishly furnished and catered to Melbourne s ruling classes Caroline rode Melbourne s boom in the 1880s weathered the storm of the depression years in the 1890s and suffered in the moral panic of the 1900s Her death in 1908 signified the end of one kind of Melbourne and the beginning of in terms of prostitution the city went from tolerance to complete prohibition in her lifetime Drawing on extensive research author and historian Barbara Minchinton deftly pieces together Madame Brussels story and guides readers on a journey through a fascinating colourful period in Melbourne s history This is a major biography of an Australian icon Madame Brussels The Life and Times of Melbourne s Most Notorious Woman.

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