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The Trial of Lizzie Borden
The Trial of Lizzie Borden | Cara Robertson
218 posts | 80 read | 4 reading | 160 to read
The remarkable new account of an essential piece of American mythologythe trial of Lizzie Bordenbased on twenty years of research and recently unearthed evidence. The Trial of Lizzie Borden tells the true story of one of the most sensational murder trials in American history. When Andrew and Abby Borden were brutally hacked to death in Fall River, Massachusetts, in August 1892, the arrest of the couples younger daughter Lizzie turned the case into international news and her trial into a spectacle unparalleled in American history. Reporters flocked to the scene. Well-known columnists took up conspicuous seats in the courtroom. The defendant was relentlessly scrutinized for signs of guilt or innocence. Everyonerich and poor, suffragists and social conservatives, legal scholars and laypeoplehad an opinion about Lizzie Bordens guilt or innocence. Was she a cold-blooded murderess or an unjustly persecuted lady? Did she or didnt she? The popular fascination with the Borden murders and its central enigmatic character has endured for more than one hundred years. Immortalized in rhyme, told and retold in every conceivable genre, the murders have secured a place in the American pantheon of mythic horror, but one typically wrenched from its historical moment. In contrast, Cara Robertson explores the stories Lizzie Bordens culture wanted and expected to hear and how those stories influenced the debate inside and outside of the courtroom. Based on transcripts of the Borden legal proceedings, contemporary newspaper accounts, unpublished local accounts, and recently unearthed letters from Lizzie herself, The Trial of Lizzie Borden offers a window onto America in the Gilded Age, showcasing its most deeply held convictions and its most troubling social anxieties.
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blurb
kspenmoll
Trial of Lizzie Borden | Cara Robertson
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This was a past #sundaybuddyread, which I loved! #AboutABook #BasedonaTrueStory

https://crimereads.com/cara-robertson-talks-true-crime-and-lizzie-borden/

Just saw this the author‘s interview posted today on Crime Reads.

TheLudicReader Fascinating case. 4mo
Eggs Perfect 👌🏼 4mo
55 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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jessinikkip
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Pickpick

This book took me a long while to get through but it was good. I've always enjoyed Lizzie Borden books since I was a lot younger. This one was very well written and the author does a great job citing each and every source so now I have even more books to look for!

TheLudicReader I am also fascinated with Lizzie Borden. 8mo
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tyoung2058
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Been wanting to read this.

kspenmoll I really got caught up in this book! 2y
40 likes1 comment
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carmens.library
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Time to get cozy for a bit with the June pick for the True Crime Book Club! #truecrime #lizzieborden #truecrimebookclub #readingcorner

ShananigansReads Looks like the perfect cozy place to read. 3y
carmens.library @Bookjunkie57 Thanks!! My husband questioned me "wasting" space in our room for a chair, but now he steals it from me all the time ? 3y
ShananigansReads @Books.Bottles.and.Babies 🤣🤣🤣 3y
59 likes3 comments
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IamIamIam
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Bailedbailed

I really want to enjoy this book but the narrator is just too difficult for me to listen to. I feel bad but she's just so automated that I find myself drifting and zoning out. This might have to be a read rather than a listen because the trial info is actually interesting!

DivineDiana A good narrator is so important! 3y
vivastory I was thinking just a couple of weeks ago about the following, which I still need to read 3y
IamIamIam @vivastory I read that a few years ago & I absolutely loved the perspective and the way the story unfolds!!! 3y
IamIamIam @DivineDiana I totally agree. I'm lucky that most of the narrators I've found were really wonderful but this is just a clunker for me. 3y
30 likes4 comments
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IamIamIam
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The jury was chosen after interviewing 109 prospects. At least one black man was interviewed, as blacks were allowed to sit on a jury in Massachusetts as early as 1860. Women, however, were granted permission to sit on a jury in 1950, with the first female juror hearing a trial in 1951!!!

5feet.of.fury 1950 seems preposterously late. 3y
IamIamIam @5feet.of.fury It does indeed, however on the Massachusetts state government website, it states 1950. 🤷‍♀️ 3y
5feet.of.fury @IamIamIam I believe you! It‘s just bonkers. I‘m from MA and I feel like we like to think we were so advanced and civilized, and then things like this. 3y
IamIamIam @5feet.of.fury 🤣🤣 It was hard to believe for me too... absolutely crazy! You'd appreciate this book, being from Massachusetts. My NY ear thinks the narrator did an okay job with the New England accent! LOL... I'm only familiar with Taunton because of the abandoned hospital! 3y
27 likes4 comments
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IamIamIam
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Absolutely hysterical that Lizzie Borden tried to use her period as an excuse for some of the blood in the house!! There was a theory that women were more prone to criminal acts when menstruating. I mean... I totally get it but... lol

31 likes1 comment
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IamIamIam
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Getting this started today... the narrator has such a strange tone and I had to speed it up so she doesn't sound like the automated narration on Instagram!!! 🤣

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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I know it‘s morbid but… it‘s a recycled picture

🪦 🖤📚

#graveyard
#Haunted

magyklyXdelish I love it! 3y
Libby1 Do you think she did it? I do, but I‘m open to changing my mind. 3y
67 likes1 stack add5 comments
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MonicaLoves2Read
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Pickpick

Slow read but good. Lots of info. Another one down for #Bookspinbingo
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
10 likes1 comment
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MonicaLoves2Read
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Starting this evening. Been wanting to read it for a while. With #bookspinbingo, I will be able to mark it off both😊

kspenmoll This was fascinating! 3y
16 likes1 comment
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Samary
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Pickpick

So much I didn‘t know! A little dry at parts, it is a legal non fiction after all, but I really liked it! Good info.

14 likes1 stack add
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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Hey #sundaybuddyread -ers and Lizzie Borden enthusiasts, the original Lizzie Borden house, now museum, is for sale. For just $2,000,000 this slice of history can be yours! Here is a link to the listing with 42 pictures for your viewing pleasure.

https://www.realliving.com/commercial-for-sale/230-2nd-St-Fall-River-MA-02721-30...

@TheBookHippie

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kspenmoll
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#day2 #12Booksof2020

My true love gave to me, two turtle doves...and Lizzie Borden.
This book totally engaged me.The in depth research the author did was incredible- even to letting us know that Lizzie‘s lawyer‘s file was still under lock & key at her lawyer‘s firm. #sundaybuddyread

Mitch I really enjoyed this - a fascinating story 👍🏼 4y
Andrew65 Another good choice. 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🖤🖤🖤 4y
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Sleepswithbooks
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Shaking my jingle bells 🔔 of excitement @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks !! Thank you Misty for my Christmas happiness 💚❤️ I‘ve been looking forward to reading about this case!! Love you 🤗

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks You‘re very welcome!! I hope you enjoy it!! ❤️🎅💚 4y
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DieAReader
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Pickpick

#CrushTheRush #ProgressItDecember #ReadYourWay

5⭐️

Aside from the childhood rhyme, I knew nothing of Lizzie Borden before reading this. Fascinating!

Andrew65 Added to my list. 4y
TheSpineView 🤩👍📖 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick I'm glad you liked it! 4y
38 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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WorldsOkayestStepMom
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Bailedbailed

I listened to 40% of the audiobook, but it was very dry in my opinion. I also didn't really care for the narrator.

KristenDuck I have heard similar comments about this one! Bummer because I had been looking forward to reading it - might skip it now. 4y
33 likes1 comment
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ElizaMarie
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Pickpick

So I had fallen behind on this #SundayBuddyRead (@AlwaysBeenALoverOfBooks @TheBookHippie) because this was the type of book that (although I enjoyed it) I had a hard time finding time to actually want to read it. It was great. I enjoyed it when I finally got to it. but... I didn't want to read it everyday. But anyway I really enjoyed it!

#BookSpinBingo
@TheAromaOfBooks

#NonFicNovember2020
#NFN20

29 likes2 comments
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GingerAntics
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Pickpick

I can‘t believe I forgot to post my review of this. Whoops!

This is a very interesting and in depth look at Lizzie Borden‘s trial. It has a very brief section on Lizzie‘s life after the verdict. It covered the murders themselves clearly and concisely, but mostly from the angle of things that would be important later in the trial.
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

GingerAntics Robertson even mentions that there is still a file locked away in a law firm that is the entire contents of the defence team‘s notes and information on the case. What I wouldn‘t give to get my hands on that, but the law firm is still claiming lawyer-client privilege, even after all these years. #TheTrialOfLizzieBorden #CaraRobertson 4y
18 likes1 comment
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Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick
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Mehso-so

I am not one for legal books, fiction or non-fiction, but I joined in on the #SundsyBuddyRead. This is very thorough, giving us some background about the Borden family and the aftermath of those vicious murders. We move to details of the court case, with day by day descriptions of the case and includes black & white photos of the crime scenes, and closes with the verdict and a brief aftermath. This is DENSE. Well researched, but lots of names ⬇️

54 likes4 comments
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mollyrotondo
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I am so happy I read this with #sundaybuddyread. I have always been intrigued by the Lizzie Borden case that I even wrote a paper about it in college lol. It focused heavily on the reporting done by newspapers at the time. This gave a great insight into the differences between the poor and rich in community where the Borden‘s lived. It was very well done. #bookspinbingo No. 24 #screamathon

TheAromaofBooks I've seen a lot of mixed reviews on this one, so I'm glad you enjoyed it!! 4y
mollyrotondo @TheAromaofBooks I liked it. I liked that she gave us the story through those news reporters. 4y
40 likes2 comments
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katy4peas
Trial of Lizzie Borden | Cara Robertson
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Mehso-so

I joined in reading this book as part of #sundaybuddyread not knowing anything about the murders and only vaguely knowing Lizzie's name. It is based on all of the trial reports and evidence, so it is a very dense read, especially for the trial section. However, I did enjoy the read overall and learned a lot about the murders. The surprise twist at the end left me with a very unsatisfying “UGH!“ feeling. I understand why, but really!?!

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kspenmoll
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#sundaybuddyread
The newspapers reporting on the trial, wrote often in a visual, flowery manner. 🥀🥀🌲🌲💨
Within the courtroom, the women spectators “made such a stir, “said Julian Ralph, “that the sound of their dresses was like a whiff of wind in an open forest.“

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kspenmoll
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#sundaybuddyread #pants
“Robinson, however decided to take no chances. He had worn a new pair of trousers on Thursday and “‘his associates insisted upon his keeping them on until the close of the trial that the lock might not be changed.‘”

From the first day that the Defense presented it‘s case, Defense Attorney Robinson wore the same new pair of pants for luck throughout. Not far enough in the book yet to know how many days the Defense took. ☘️

review
vlwelser
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Pickpick

So good. This book presents all of the evidence and facts from the trial and I still have no idea if Lizzie is actually guilty. That's it for spoilers.

#SundayBuddyRead final discussion this Sunday. 🤐 until then....
@TheBookHippie @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

#BookSpinBingo #DoubleSpin done!
@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Awesome progress!! 4y
Sargar114 @vlwelser I came away from it thinking the same exact thing! Basically 🤷🏼‍♀️ 4y
42 likes2 comments
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Lauren_reading
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Pickpick

This was a really interesting book in many aspects - we all know the Lizzie Borden rhyme and this was a very straightforward look at the trial and acquittal of Lizzie Borden.

It was slow in parts due to the readings of some of the trial transcripts, but thoughts from friends, witnesses and reporters were interspersed and added more to the storyline.

Lauren_reading I also got a laugh at how ideas about women both helped and hurt Lizzie Borden. How she was on her period and obviously women are more likely to do crazy things then. Or how she cried so she must be innocent. 4y
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SamAnne
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Mehso-so

If one is interested in a blow by blow account of the Borden trial, this is a great history. I was not. I enjoyed learning about the socia and class contexts and how beliefs about women played into it. But at the end, all I could think was that there were so many other books I could have been listening to....but with murder and mystery it will be points towards #TeamSlaughter #Scarathlon

paper.reveries Thanks for your review! 4y
57 likes1 stack add1 comment
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rjsthumbelina
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Pickpick

This book is very detailed and well-researched. But it is fully a narrative about the investigation and trial, so I understand why it could leave some people less than satisfied. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did, but I thought it was a great courtroom drama. Also, I liked learning all the minute details of this well-known case.
#sundaybuddyread

Bette Great coloring. Such a handsome 🐱. ❤️👍 4y
rjsthumbelina @Bette thanks! I have an affinity for tuxeys 😻 4y
rjsthumbelina @Bette he's actually a foster cat. He was bugging me the whole time I was reading the last 50 pages! 4y
Bette We used to have a tuxedo 🐱 too, I love them. 4y
32 likes4 comments
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mrp27
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Mehso-so

My fifth title for #screamathon2020 I never knew the details of the famous Borden hatchet murders and the subsequent trial of Lizzie Borden. At times this was fascinating, I learned a lot of details about the gruesome murder. The trial portion, which took up the bulk of the book, was technical, dry and dense bringing down my overall rating. Still, it‘s always a pleasure to read with the #sundaybuddyread group.

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SamAnne
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Not much time for reading this week except for audio on long drives. But with all the readathons going on My 18 hours, one book finished and posts did rack up 706 points for #teamslaugher #scarathlon ! #offthegridreadathon #cocoturns50 #outstandingoctober #littenlisten #october20in4 #bookspin. @Clwojick

Clwojick 🎉 ☠ 🙌 Awesome! Way to go #TeamSlaughter! 🎉 🎊 👏 4y
52 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Sargar114
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Mehso-so

I didn‘t realize how little I knew about these murders until I read this. It was a chock full of information about, you guessed it, the trial. If it weren‘t such an interesting subject matter, I might have bailed. It‘s pretty much all info, and no fluff so made it difficult to get through. Read for #Sundaybuddyread and square 20 for #bookspinbingo

TheBookHippie We worked for this one ! 4y
TheAromaofBooks I've seen a lot of people wrestling with this one!! Great work making it through!! 4y
18 likes2 comments