The Story of Chicago May

By Nuala O'Faolain,

Book cover of The Story of Chicago May

Book description

A portrait of the legendary woman outlaw describes her childhood in post-famine Ireland, work as a confidence trickster and grifter in America, love affair with a big-league criminal, successful robbery of Paris's American Express, imprisonment, and later years. By the author of Are You Somebody? 75,000 first printing.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Story of Chicago May as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I fell in love with Ireland on a trip there in 2003 and have been there many times since. As a result, I have read many books by Irish writers, including O’Faolain’s memoirs.

I picked up the story of the woman known as Chicago May with no expectations but was immediately drawn in by the way O’Faolain connected her life with May’s, and individual history with national—both Irish and American—history.

I admire how the author imbued a biographical investigation with the pacing of a novel and a larger-than-life main character. 

Want books like The Story of Chicago May?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 67 books like The Story of Chicago May.

Browse books like The Story of Chicago May

Book cover of The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary
Book cover of All God's Dangers: The Life of Nate Shaw
Book cover of The Paper Garden: An Artist Begins Her Life's Work at 72

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,189

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Chicago, confidence tricks, and Ireland?

Chicago 398 books
Ireland 308 books