Call Me a Bastard
Welcome to Call Me a Bastard, a serialized lost and found story about Aimee Henry and Mary Martha Parker, two Gilded Age women locked in an epic battle of belonging. I’m thrilled you’re here!
The headline that led to Call Me a Bastard was spread across two columns in the September 19, 1928 issue of The New York Daily News: Woman Sues to Call Self a Love Child. The entire article was just seven paragraphs, but that was plenty to kick my curiosity into overdrive.
On June 25, 2024, the first chapter of Call Me a Bastard was released here on Substack, and, over the next 20 weeks, Aimee’s remarkably true story kept readers begging for more.
What readers have to say about Call Me a Bastard
Wow, wow, wow! This is a truly riveting story! I'm learning, however, the intricacies of families can be so convoluted that it makes even the most "out there" soap operas seem tame! - Rael
This should be required reading for genealogists and historians. Sooner or later you will stumble into family secrets and there is a skill for navigating the facts, lies and emotions of relatives. Well done! - David
The reading of your excerpts every Tuesday go by too fast. - Marci
Thoroughly captivated by the episodic storytelling! Didn't want it to end as it has been a pleasure to read. - Jill
omg...at this point, I am glad that I "discovered" this story in November. I get to "binge read" it. I would hate to be waiting now for the next installment! - Ann
Note: In serializing Call Me a Bastard, material was divided into Chapters and Bonus Content. Chapters share the continuing story of Aimee’s struggle to know who she is and where she belongs, and Bonus Content offers historical and social context to help readers better understand and engage with the previous Chapter.
I hope you enjoy reading this captivating lost & found story, and welcome you to share yours thoughts, questions and reactions in the comments.
