The Enigma Woman
The Death Sentence of Nellie May Madison
Format:Paperback
Publisher:University of Nebraska Press
Published:1st Apr '09
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This book tells the compelling story of Nellie May Madison, the first woman on Death Row in California, and her complex legacy.
In The Enigma Woman, Kathleen A. Cairns explores the captivating story of Nellie May Madison, the first woman sentenced to Death Row in California. Set against the backdrop of 1930s Los Angeles, this narrative delves into the complexities of law and disorder during a time when societal norms were rapidly evolving. Madison, described by the media as a crack shot and a much-married woman, becomes an emblem of the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society. Her case raises questions about the intersection of gender, justice, and the public's fascination with crime.
The tale unfolds dramatically after the discovery of her husband’s bullet-riddled body in their Burbank apartment. The police quickly label her the beautiful, dark-haired widow and launch a manhunt that captures the attention of the media and the public alike. Cairns meticulously reconstructs the events surrounding the murder, trial, and aftermath, highlighting how Madison's unconventional identity complicates the narrative. This story not only serves as a true crime account but also critiques the media's role in shaping public perception and the judicial system's treatment of women accused of heinous crimes.
As The Enigma Woman reveals, Madison's story is not just about a murder case; it reflects a broader commentary on societal stratification and the often ambiguous nature of domestic violence. Cairns invites readers to ponder the implications of celebrity crimes and the enduring societal ambivalence surrounding women's roles in both public and private spheres.
“Nellie was pegged by the media as a femme fatale, a character out of a noir tale. The author has done considerable research in this well-written true crime chronicle, but what happened in Nellie’s bedroom in 1934 still remains an enigma.”—Publishers Weekly
“A new book out this month finally tells us the entire tale of Nellie Madison for the first time, and it is so terrifically researched, so well put together, you might forget the story took place in 1934. . . . It’s a physically lovely, beautifully produced book. . . . The Enigma Woman is top-shelf stuff for votaries of high quality historic crime stories. Professor Cairns will keep you mesmerized in contemplation of a most curious murder case, one in which our recalcitrant heroine could not speak until she was within the shadows of the gallows, one in which the victim may well have had it coming in spades and by golly got it.”—Laura James, CLEWS, The Historic Crime Blog
“By charting Madison’s experiences from the 1910s to the 1940s, Cairns offers critical insight on the deeds and misdeeds of one remarkable woman, who in many regards was a victim herself. By framing events the way she does, Cairns gives Madison’s story the context it needs and deserves.”—Christina Eng, San Francisco Chronicle
“Cairns tells her story with considerable sociological and psychological acuity. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this tale is how the cut-and-dried, seemingly heartless justice system of the 1930s ultimately produced a punishment that was just and enlightened and would generally satisfy today’s more liberal attitudes toward spousal abuse and homicide.”—The Atlantic Monthly
"[The Enigma Woman] is a well-written account that will appeal to readers in history, women’s studies, journalism, and law."—Barbara G. Friedman, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
“This is an outstanding biography of a woman who challenged societal norms. . . . In this splendidly crafted narrative of Nellie’s life, Cairns explores the West as geography and a place of reinvention, the rise of mass popular culture and its impact upon the individual, Los Angeles as myth and reality, criminal prosecution as a force in social control, the media’s ability to elevate or destroy individuals, and intimate abuse as a legal defense to murder. . . . This book is a major contribution to our knowledge of women in the American West.”—Gordon Morris Bakken, Western Historical Quarterly
ISBN: 9780803224506
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 386g
328 pages