Parallel Lives

[camgarsky4]

I've been randomly reading Parallel Lives over the past couple months. Guessing I've read >75% of it, but not sure since I jump around (too much). So I end up rereading many of the parts I find of most interest.

Here are some thoughts.....
1) Studying this book is a huge boon to educate and position yourself to interpret the happenings on August 4th.
2) Since most of the diaries, letters, etc. that the book uses as documentation are not available to the public, I view this book as a source document.
3) The book has solidified my belief that Lizzie was the sole or primary cause of Andrew and Abby's deaths.
4) The authors come across with a 'pro-lizzie' bias (at least that is my take).....they often end sections by opining how unfair things were for Lizzie (which as the authors they have every right to do). Maybe I am misreading, but this approach is applied pretty consistently throughout the book.
Since the authors are topic experts and came across to me as sympathetic to Lizzie, it does make me wonder if there is additional info they didn't put in the book and is not available to public that indicates Lizzie's innocence.
5) Since I firmly believe Lizzie was behind the deaths, my POV is that any unpleasantness she experienced post-trial was of her own doing and frankly was wildly preferable to prison and certainly to what happened to Abby and Andrew.
6) The fact that Lizzie apparently lived a sub-optimal social life post-murders, it makes her decision to stay in Fall River even more perplexing and I think is a testament to her stubbornness and refusal 'to give'......both of which I think played a part on Aug 4.

I highly recommend purchasing and enjoying the book.....it really adds color and depth to the murder story.

Anyone have other thoughts on Parallel Lives?

[Jess_humandisaster]

I have been wanting to read Parallel Lives so badly! I'm hoping to finally order it next week!

I find it really interesting that the authors seem to have a pro Lizzie bias because it seems like a lot of people have expressed (in reviews and also, I believe, in forum discussions here) how the book left them feeling conflicted over the question of her innocence when they were previously convinced of her guilt.

Having conflicting feelings about the case in itself isn't exactly groundbreaking, as everyone even casually interested in the case knows. After all, that's the main reason that's kept this case alive since 1892! Not to mention there are plenty of books written specifically to induce those exact feelings, whether it's through making arguments in favor of Lizzie's innocence, or by presenting another suspicious person to analyze.

But what's neat is how, as you said, this is a source document primarily, not another book devoted to arguing the case. Which means that after reading Lizzie's own words, as well as the words of people who knew her, there are people who are left questioning their prior opinions.

If Lizzie did, in fact, committ the murders, that would mean her written words can cause people to have doubts about her guilt over a century later. If that's the case, I can only imagine how muddled up the minds of those who knew her must have felt.

(Also, would it be in poor taste to say that Parallel Lives looks like it's big/heavy enough to be a murder weapon?)

(I mean the more information, the better. But I'm such a klutz that I could trip while carrying it and take some innocent bystander down with me. I.e, Jess in the living room with Colonel Mustard and a copy of Parallel Lives)

[camgarsky4]

Jess - I look forward to discussing with you after you read a chunk of the book. Or even as you read sections.
Will be nice to compare notes and interpretations!!

I found that the additional insights and details the book provides paint a pretty clear and consistent picture of Lizzie's personality and provided additional insights into the Borden family dynamics.

I also really appreciated that they provided the source used for EVERY page. Pretty cool.

[Rolie Polie]

I have the book in my home and intend to start reading it after the Holidays. I'm quite interested in this topic; yet, I have no intention paying for a lot of books regarding it. I'm very glad for this book because it's going to provide a lot information to give Lizzie and family 3-dimensional qualities. Lizzie and her father both begin to look more and more like a caricature and stereotype as people retell the story year after year. As cultural memes go, they've got it all wrong. It never ceases to shock me how much crap information is out there about her, the case, and the Borden family. If you look around the internet, the crap gets spread far and wide. And, do I need to say that if I hear that doggerel in creepy children's voices one more time....

[jcurrie]

This book is a new one to me. Is it worth reading? I accessed Amazon and find that the cheapest price is £81.00 here in the UK! That's a bit steep for me. I also accessed the US Amazon site and find that no bookstore in the US will deliver to the UK. If anyone can send me a copy after they have finished reading the book I would be very grateful. I will of course pay for it and postage. If it is worth reading I would be prepared to pay the UK price. What with the lockdown due to the Covid virus I have saved a bit of money. Many thanks.

[camgarsky4]

Jcurrie - I ordered my copy from the Fall River Historical Society for $49 USD (Thanks for the tip MB!). Pretty sure that is still the price. It is a huge book.. I think it has 800-1,000 pages.

My opinion, the book is highly useful if interested in getting much deeper insights into Lizzie's life and personality and it will greatly broaden your understanding of Fall River in the late 1800's and early 1900's. It doesn't talk a ton about the actual murders (~50 pages), but you learn about her trip to Europe, her estrangement from Emma, her friends that came and went, her life and servants at Maplecroft, details into her death and funeral, and her will/estate. For me it helped flesh out her personality and form a strong opinion if that personality/character might have killed her parents.

It is the type of book that you can read in spurts or go back and reread sections.

[jcurrie]

Thanks, camgarsky4, for the information. Unfortunately the Fall River Historical Society do not send books to Europe! I have bitten the bullet and ordered a copy from a bookstore in the UK. Look forward to reading it. Sounds very interesting from your description.

[PaulinNYC]

Glad to have read this thread (despite the fact that I'm a slow reader and the page count is daunting!) as I'm intrigued to gain insights and context beyond just a re-telling of the murder and trial.

[camgarsky4]

Paul -- the good thing with this voluminous book is that it is a natural fit for a 'pick up, read a few pages, put down and do over again in a couple days" approach to reading!!