Truth and Lies of Storyville: Josie's Circus

Carter’s life takes a 180-degree turn. He is not sure if it is for better or worse. At 51 years old, Carter inherits a million-dollar mansion in New Orleans, from his father, but with instructions from his grandfather that the home is to be restored and renovated before it can be sold. The long-kept secrets of Carter’s family are revealed to him in the following months while working to restore his newly acquired magnificent home which is steeped in the history of Storyville, the district in which prostitution was legal from 1897 – 1917 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This historical fiction intertwines fact and fiction to describe the lives of the working women living in the famous bordello, The Arlington, and the life of the owner and madame, Josie Arlington, along with other historical figures who were prominent within the “The District”, nicknamed Storyville. Josie’s “Circus” has drawn the attention of many throughout history for the public displays of sexual acts enacted by the exotic and beautiful women employed at The Arlington. Josie became very rich offering services to satisfy the sexual fantasies of men who frequented her establishment. She became bitter at not being accepted by the socially elite of New Orleans. Tragedy, political corruption, racism, sexism, classism, and all the seven deadly sins are woven into this story that will throw you into life in the early 1900’s of New Orleans, while struggling through the same difficulties in Carter’s emotional journey in 1982, as he reconciles the pain and suffering of those in the past with his own. Josie Arlington, a colorful woman, will capture your thoughts along with the proposition that perhaps prostitution was made illegal to allow for continued slavery and sex trafficking. You will be thinking about the characters along with the truths and lies of Storyville long after you finish reading this book.