This novel is based on a shocking untold story when, in 1926, women were asked to bear children to earn a fortune. Lily di Marco and Mae Thebault used to be inseparable. They lived under the same roof and cared for each other's children. But then the Great Depression hits, changing everything. Both women will be forced to make impossible decisions to save themselves - and their families - from ruin.

At the start of this story, Lily lives with a very abusive husband. But he dies early on during an earthquake and Lily is free to start a new life. I was glad as I didn’t really want to read about another abused wife. Although some things went well for her for awhile, it didn’t last. Same with Mae. Many difficulties and struggles occurred. This story was well-told but it was sad and depressing until the very ending. It wasn’t what I expected and didn’t enjoy it but did think the writing was good. ( )

Upon his death in 1926, the will of Canadian lawyer, financier, and practical joker, Charles Vance Miller bequeathed the residue of his substantial estate to ‘the woman who could produce the most children within the next ten years’. Caroline Lea draws inspiration from what became known as The Great Stork Derby in her historical novel, Prize Women.

When an earthquake hits Chatsworth, New Brunswick, and it appears her abusive husband has been killed, Lily de Marco uses the opportunity to flee with her young son. Matteo. Arriving in Toronto, broke and homeless, Lily is fortuitously introduced to Mae Thebault, the wife of a wealthy steel factory owner, who agrees to let Lily stay with them in return for helping to take care of the Thebaults’ five children. Despite their differences in background and social status, Lily and Mae quickly become close friends but after the Wall Street Crash and the onset of the Great Depression, the two women unexpectedly find themselves rivals.

Exploring the lack of agency women too often had over their lives, particularly once tied to marriage and motherhood, the impact of the economic collapse, the desperation of poverty, as well as abuse, friendship, prejudice and racism, Prize Women paints a rich portrait of Canada’s social history over the 1920/30’s. The Author’s Note explains where Lea has diverged from historical accuracy for narrative purposes.

Curiosity about The Great Stork Derby is what drew me to this novel, and Lea explores its impact thoughtfully. With large family’s not exactly uncommon at the time, given the lack of contraception, I was surprised to learn the ‘baby race’ had only 11 entrants. Accounts suggest that most of them would have had large families even without the incentive of the competition, but I hadn’t given much thought to motive, or what ‘losing’ the ‘baby race’ might mean to participants.

The characters of Lily and Mae are loosely based on two of the real Derby competitors, and to them the money is of vital importance, though for very different reasons. Lea is sensitive to the women’s desires and hardships and portrays them with nuance. Lily is probably the more sympathetic of two, but Mae’s experience is also affecting. At the mercy of mens decisions in private and in public, both are afforded so little control over their lives it’s infuriating.

I found the pacing lagged a bit later in the story, in part I think because Prize Women is often quite bleak which weighs the narrative down, though the end brings light and hope. A moving and interesting novel. ( )

When Italian immigrant Lily escapes her abusive husband she fears poverty in Toronto but she is employed by wealthy Mae to look after her children. Lily marries Paolo and both women's families grow. However when the Wall Street Crash occurs in 1929, Mae loses her wealth and both women are struggling to survive. Maybe the Stork Derby could be their saviour?

I had heard about the Stork Derby previously, a bizarre contest with a huge prize for the woman who had the most children in a ten year period. This is a novel based on that fact. The characters are all fictional but based on tales of poor women in Toronto in the 1930s. In fact the premise and most of teh tale is quite good. What didn't ring true to me was the 'relationship' between Mae and Lily, it felt forced and almost as though there was another agenda at play here. ( )