Set in 19th century Vienna, this groundbreaking novel offers a candid portrayal of sex workers, challenging the prevailing moral judgments of the time. It shifts the narrative from viewing prostitutes as manipulative figures to highlighting their victimization by a corrupt system of pimps, madams, and law enforcement. Else Jerusalem's work serves as a powerful commentary on societal hypocrisy, providing a voice to those often marginalized in literature and history.
