Queen of the Platform: A Novel of Women's Rights Activist Ernestine Rose by Susan Higginbotham: A Book Review

Queen of the Platform: A Novel of Women’s Rights Activist Ernestine Rose

Author: Susan Higginbotham

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Susan Higginbotham

Publication Date: 2024

Pages: 373

Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: From the award-winning author of The Stolen Crown and Hanging Mary comes a novel based on the life of the indomitable Ernestine Rose, whose fearless advocacy helped bring about the rights women enjoy today.

       Question everything, Ernestine vows while growing up in a Poland ravaged by the Napoleonic wars. Accept nothing blindly.

       Rejecting her rabbi father's religion and an arranged marriage, Ernestine strikes out on her own, arriving in New York in 1836. Distressed by the injustices around her, she takes to the public speaking platform, pressing for the abolition of slavery and for women's rights alongside activists like Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. But at a time when women are expected to confine themselves to the parlor and the hearth-and when an atheist is best advised to say nothing at all-is Ernestine's adopted country ready to hear her?

       Following Ernestine through triumph and heartbreak and across two continents, The Queen of the Platform brings out of history's shadows a heroine who braved public scorn to fight for the values she held dear.

       

       My Review: Ernestine Rose was an abolitionist and an activist in women’s rights. Ernestine Rose grew up in Poland which was under the rule of the Russian czar. Her father was a Jewish rabbi. Ernestine eventually rejects her Jewish religion and the man that her family arranged for her to marry. She eventually emigrates to the United States. Ernestine begins speaking out about the injustices that have plagued her new country. She befriends many activists like Frederick Douglas, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cary Stanton.

        I have never heard of Ernestine Rose. Therefore, I was interested in reading about her. Ernestine was a very likable character. She is very intelligent.  She loves reading and knows several languages. She has a thirst for knowledge and has an inquisitive mind. However, Ernestine is very rebellious. She turns against her father who tries to force her to marry a man she doesn’t love. She runs to Berlin to live with her sister. I found Ernestine to be very spirited. There were times that I found she was reckless, and I did not like the decisions she made in the story. However, she never stops fighting for what she believes is right. She was always true to herself. Therefore, I found Ernestine to be a very admirable and courageous character.

       Overall, this book is about choices, justice, and freedom. I found all of the characters to be very realistic and complex. I loved Ernestine Rose’s mission for the equality of women. I did think that this novel was very slow-moving and drawn out. However, I thought that it was meticulously researched, and it felt as if I was walking beside Ernestine Rose. This book made me want to research more about this little known historical figure. I recommend this book for fans of Madame Presidentess, Finding Margaret Fuller, and A Right Worthy Woman!

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars