The Virgin Cure

This novel was not what I expected. It was historically very interesting as the author's family was involved in the historical aspects of the story. It seemed very bleak at times for Moth, however, she is resilient in her attitudes and in the decisions she made at such a young age. Great read!

I really enjoyed this book! A historical fiction plus an insight into how young girls/women, in the slums, had to live for preservation in the 1870's! Also learned what a virgin cure entails-very bad:(

'the virgin cure' by ami mckay was a very interesting and informative account of child prostitution in 19th century nyc. a very likeable little protagonist whose start in life was so miserable and yet she could be kind and compassionate to others.

Love this author. The heroine is a real person almost from the beginning. Very educational, especially learning in the authors notes that the dreadful practice of using a virgin to cure a disease is still practiced in the world today.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was well written and seemed to be very well researched. The characters were engaging and the story opened my eyes to what life must have been like during that time.

This book is a wonderful representation of what it meant to be poor in 1870 in New York city. Thousands of children had to survive on the streets during that time and so many were forced into prostitution at ten, eleven or twelve years old. Moth represents so many unfortunate young children forced to sell their bodies, steal, cheat or resort to violence to survive. It is a fascinating story, almost impossible to put down. Please read Moth's story. You won't be sorry.

I loved learning about life for women during the time period and I became so invested in the characters. I couldn't put this book down because I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next.

I bought this book after reading "The Birth House". "The Birth House" engaged the reader immediately and the main characters became a part of the reader. "The Virgin Cure" doesn't get the readers caught up as quickly in the story or with the main characters. This book doesn't seem to have been written with the same emotional depth. The main character is Moth who I can't really connect with. Also, in the book are sidebars with explanations that the reader doesn't need and which distract from the story because it interups the thread of the story.

Enjoyable story. Well written. I liked the side notes & historical "facts" & human interest stories. I did not like the end. Seemed just to spin to a stop. The ending was so far removed from the rest of the story that it really did not make sense. It did not take away from the rest of the book as both a great novel & interesting look back to the history of the poor in New York City.

I enjoyed the obviously well researched historical stage set post-civil war in NYC. We see life through the eyes of a bright young girl who was like many, impoverished, and with few options in life, and also, the eyes of an educated and dedicated woman physician - rare in those times. This story is as relevant now as it was in 1872, as abuse of powerless women continues in advanced as well as primitive cultures today - witness Sharia Law in the middle east, and recent suppressions of women's healthcare here in America. I recommend highly!!

Interesting read and solid character development but I felt that the author left me hanging in the middle of a great story -- where's the last half of this book gone?
Such potential and fabulous subject matter what you do get is good -- there's just not enough if it!

I listened to a CBC radio interview of the author and was impressed with the research she had conducted in order to write a book of what must be great accuracy and poignanacy. I bought it for my Kindle.
Set in NewYork in the late 1800s when men seeking sexual pleasure were catered to openly, so much so that a n annual book was published, the Gentlemans Guide giving precise information as to what he could expect at the various houses of illrepute, from the standard of cleanliness to the number of virgins. Virgins were thought to be a cure for men with venereal disease. The life of Moss a very young girl sold into servitude by her crazy gypsy mother, is a sad tale of physical cruellity but eventually a tale of revenge.

I was excited to read this after going through the reviews but I was very disappointed. The characters were flat, the story predictable and just sort of 'meh'. Oh well on to other things as it was a fairly quick read!

I enjoy historical fiction and non-fiction. However, I do not care for science fiction, ghosts, or just unbelievable events. So, for some reason I read THE BIRTH HOUSE, which I totally enjoyed...perhaps because I am an RN of 40+ years. I appreciate Ms McKay's writing style; her character development, and
her books are not the typical historical romance....another genre that I fail to like. So, I am getting ready to read the WITCHES OF NEW YORK. I hope I can enjoy this book as much as rage first two.