Lizzie Borden Society Forum

A reviewer of Edward D. Radins book on the Borden Murders made the following comment, seen below:

Unfortunately, assigning the motive of rage to Bridget is difficult, since there is no evidence that suggests that she harbored great hostility toward her employer. Was Bridget Lizzie's lover, and so her rage against Mrs. Borden was fueled by Lizzie's unjust treatment at the hands of her stepmother and father? There is no evidence to support this idea. Radin, I think, is seduced by the story that Bridget, in her old age, "almost" confessed during an illness that she supposed was her last.

I've read Radin several times and I don't believe he ever made a statement that Lizzie and Bridget were lovers, that would have been very shocking for 1961..... Am I wrong??

StevenB

Wasn't that Lizzie in Love angle in that revolting novel by Elizabeth Engstrom? I just cringe when I think of the lengths some authors, without a shred of proof, documentation or a crumb of evidence will go to titillate the public or make a buck. I am sure Bridget did have something she wished to tell when she thought she was gravely ill, as I am sure she was hesitant to tell every single thing she knew when she had the chance- but I would have grave doubts it had anything to do with a Lizzie love affair.

Wouldn't you think had Lizzie harbored passionate and tender feelings towards the domestic staff, she might just have called the maid, the so-called object of her desire, by her correct name?

And while in this same vein, the same sort of allegation with Nance O'Neil is an old chestnut which rears its head at any opportunity. Considering that Nance was "on the road", very busy with her career, and usually strapped for cash, -I can only wonder when this red-hot affair might have occured. There was a considerable age difference,-and their acquaintance was of short duration. Still, it makes for juicy speculation, as does the incest angle, illegitimate son, secret boyfriend, and just about every other soap opera plot twist currently on the tube. This is a great story- without all the embellishments. Am now ducking for cover.....

Shelley @ Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:00 pm wrote:Wasn't that Lizzie in Love angle in that revolting novel by Elizabeth Engstrom? I just cringe when I think of the lengths some authors, without a shred of proof, documentation or a crumb of evidence will go to titillate the public or make a buck. I am sure Bridget did have something she wished to tell when she thought she was gravely ill, as I am sure she was hesitant to tell every single thing she knew when she had the chance- but I would have grave doubts it had anything to do with a Lizzie love affair.

Wouldn't you think had Lizzie harbored passionate and tender feelings towards the domestic staff, she might just have called the maid, the so-called object of her desire, by her correct name?

And while in this same vein, the same sort of allegation with Nance O'Neil is an old chestnut which rears its head at any opportunity. Considering that Nance was "on the road", very busy with her career, and usually strapped for cash, -I can only wonder when this red-hot affair might have occured. There was a considerable age difference,-and their acquaintance was of short duration. Still, it makes for juicy speculation, as does the incest angle, illegitimate son, secret boyfriend, and just about every other soap opera plot twist currently on the tube. This is a great story- without all the embellishments. Am now ducking for cover.....

Yes, I agree, and I know about that horrible book, I was so shocked by it I've never forgotten it, unfortnately! I just didn't think Radin had brought it up in his book, I almost sure of that. I think I would have remembered if he had. I'm trying to writ this paper and keep it short but it's so hard!! I'm up to 15 pages and I'm not done!


StevenB

StevenB @ Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:45 pm wrote:A reviewer of Edward D. Radins book on the Borden Murders made the following comment, seen below:

Unfortunately, assigning the motive of rage to Bridget is difficult, since there is no evidence that suggests that she harbored great hostility toward her employer. Was Bridget Lizzie's lover, and so her rage against Mrs. Borden was fueled by Lizzie's unjust treatment at the hands of her stepmother and father? There is no evidence to support this idea. Radin, I think, is seduced by the story that Bridget, in her old age, "almost" confessed during an illness that she supposed was her last.

I've read Radin several times and I don't believe he ever made a statement that Lizzie and Bridget were lovers, that would have been very shocking for 1961..... Am I wrong??
StevenB

I doubt that Radin would make such a ridiculous complaint. They were not of the same social class!!!
As I remember it, Radin brought up this as a possible solution to the murder, since there was as much or as little physical evidence against either one.
The importance of Radin is how he revealed the "literary hoax" of Edmund Pearson's one-sided quotes from the very rare Trial Transcript. It was not an even-handed account of the murders.

I think David Kent presents an even-handed account of the murders, and it is available in most libraries.
Only Lizzie was said to have a "motive" - her inheritance.