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Historical Fiction
Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: August - 2022
Local artist Diane McPhail draws upon a writer’s instincts and an understanding of history and twisty politics for her second novel, The Seamstress of New Orleans.
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Imagine this: “The year 1900 ushers in a new century andthe promise of social change, and women rise togethertoward equality. Yet rules and restrictions remain, espe-cially for women like Alice Butterworth, whose husband hasabruptly disappeared. Desperate to make a living for herself andthe child she carries, Alice leaves the bitter cold of Chicago farbehind, offering sewing lessons at a New Orleans orphanage.There she meets recently widowed Constance Halstead. Theirlives become entwined as murder and mystery follow.”This is a synopsis of local author Diane McPhail’s new book,released May 31,The Seamstress of New Orleans.The novel, McPhail’s second, is already garnering attention onGoodReads as a top historical book, and an interview with McPhailwill be featured on National Public Radio’s The Writing Life.McPhail is anartist, writer, and minister, and a member of NorthCarolina Writers’ Network and the Historical Novel Society. TheAbolitionist’s Daughter,published in 2019, was her debut novel.“My inspiration forThe Seamstress of New Orleansis multi-faceted,” said McPhail. “After [Hurricane] Katrina, I had anapartment in the French Quarter for a couple of years. ThereI had the wonderful experience of riding with an all-women’skrewe for Mardi Gras; the krewe of Iris, of which my friendDian Winingder had been Queen. I became fascinated by thehistory of the very first women’s krewe, Les Mysterieuses, andthe efforts of women towards equal rights, culminating in thevote 20 years later.“I spent days and weeks in the various archives and museumsof New Orleans absorbed in research of all kinds to bring thisbook together. My research led me into the fascinating historyof Storyville, a sanctioned red-light district named for the citycouncilman who proposed it, and the crime syndicate operatingthere, known as the Black Hand.The relationship of the twowomen at the core of the novel came from numerous sources,including a factual story.”The Seamstress of New Orleansis available online and at localbookstores, such as The Book Nook and Shakespeare andCompany in Highlands.
by Deena Bouknight
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