Book review: Unearthed Voices in Else Jerusalem’s Forgotten Classic

A book review written by our lead reviewer, Jessica Pagel, follow her on her Instagram (@fiftytwo_books), and watch her video review of this book on our Instagram and at the bottom of this post.

The Red House, a nineteenth-century brothel tucked away in the heart of Vienna, is hidden in plain sight. Just behind the shimmering streets frequented by respectable men and women, it lies in a dark, narrow alley. As the streets grow quiet and the elegant crowds return home, the alley begins to stir - this is when they awaken: the women of the Red House.

The brothel is the novel’s central setting, and it’s here we meet our heroine, Milada, the young daughter of Black Katerine, one of its most notorious prostitutes. We watch Milada grow up within its walls - first as a maid, and by fifteen, a prostitute herself. It’s the only life she has ever known: one where women are procured and destroyed by a system that encourages its trade while simultaneously condemning those involved. Yet, with stunning defiance, we watch as Milada refuses to accept degradation as her fate, and instead carves out a new future for herself and others.

Written in 1909 by Else Jerusalem, Red House Alley offers an unflinching look at the lives of women in the sex trade, with a social context just as compelling as the story itself. It was released to critical acclaim and instant success, scandalising society with its portrayal of sex workers as complex human beings. Later banned by the Nazis, the book remained forgotten for over seventy-five years. 

Jerusalem was a fierce feminist, intellectual, and powerful voice in the women’s movement.  She researched prostitution extensively and was one of only two women granted permission to attend the notorious trial of a Viennese brothel madam, where she heard firsthand accounts of abuse and exploitation. These truths are woven into her work and stand as a testament to her insight and determination to centre the lives of women that society tried to ignore.

In Milada, Jerusalem crafts a powerful and inspiring character. Though she grows up with little love or nourishment, her mind remains open - always seeking knowledge and a deeper understanding of her life, her place in the world, and how best to live. She believes that women are confined by their own limitations, those cruelly imposed by society, and pushes boldly through doors that others assumed were forever closed. Yet, for all her ambition, Milada never forgets the women beside her - those with whom she has long stood shoulder to shoulder.

Milada is confronted with her most painful dilemma when she falls in love with one of the young men who frequents the Red House. Though he claims to love her, he harbors deep contempt for the women who work there, viewing them as idle and immoral. Even in love, he cannot see Milada or the others as full human beings. Through him, we see the hypocrisy at the heart of the sex trade: a world where men are free to indulge their desires without judgement, while the women who provide that outlet are shamed and degraded.

At its core, the novel is one of hope and empowerment, and I’ve come away with deep respect for Else Jerusalem. In this remarkably candid exploration of a subject still often considered taboo, she confronts brutal realities with unflinching honesty. Yet alongside the harshness, there’s profound insight into the lives of marginalised women, bold reflections on the female body, and views on sexuality that remain progressive even today. Jerusalem was unafraid to be provocative, to speak openly about what others avoided - and judging by the novel’s early reception, it was exactly the kind of voice society needed. 

So give it a read! And don’t skip the foreword or afterword, because they are filled with interesting nuggets about the author and the novel itself.

Enjoy! 

[If you would like to purchase Red House Alley, you can do so here. If you are a publisher and would like us to review one of your titles, or if you would like to become a book reviewer for us, please email us!]