Pretty Baby

The story begins with Violet witnessing the birth of her baby brother, highlighting her own beginnings. This poignant moment reflects the harsh realities of her family life, as her mother, Hattie, is a working prostitute.

Violet lives among other children in Madam Nell's brothel, where life is marked by the presence of adult clients and complicated dynamics. This environment shapes Violet's understanding of her world as she navigates the affiliations and exchanges within the brothel.

A photographer named Bellocq visits the brothel to find a model, initially focusing on Hattie. However, Violet quickly captures his attention, revealing the growing bond between the two characters amid the sordid backdrop of the brothel.

One day, while playing in an upstairs bedroom, Violet's life takes a drastic turn when Hattie brings in a client. Violet is deceived into following her mother into the bedroom, indicating her grim acceptance of the life around her.

As Violet approaches her twelfth birthday, Madam Nell arranges a dinner event to auction her virginity. Dressed in a sheer gown, Violet is paraded before the elite, culminating in her highest bidder taking her to a bedroom, marking a pivotal and disturbing initiation.

Violet quickly becomes a significant presence at the brothel, often at great risk. Her life takes a tumultuous turn when she is interrupted during a bath for a new client, showcasing her perilous existence and defiance.

Hattie's boyfriend, Alfred Fuller, plans to move her and her infant son to St. Louis, leaving Violet behind. This creates tension as Violet is made to feel like a sibling rather than a daughter, deepening her feelings of abandonment.

After leaving the brothel to live with Bellocq, Violet finds herself frustrated with her role as merely a muse. A public nude photography session leads to an explosive argument, and in anger, she destroys Bellocq's negatives, resulting in her expulsion from his life.

Violet returns to Madam Nell's brothel, only to find the atmosphere increasingly somber as external pressures mount. This return signifies a downward spiral as Violet grapples with her place in the world.

Despite the brothel's decline, Bellocq professes his love for Violet and proposes marriage, marking a turning point in her life. They share a moment of joy with a picnic along the river, offering a brief respite from their troubled past.

After a brief honeymoon, Violet realizes the challenges of her new life as a wife. Struggling to find her identity beyond intimacy, she faces an unexpected visit from her mother, Hattie.

At the train station, Hattie insists that Violet join her family in St. Louis. This moment culminates in an emotionally charged family portrait that encapsulates Violet's inner turmoil and longing for the innocence of childhood.

As the demands of adulthood press upon her, Violet faces a deep internal conflict between her mother and her husband. This struggle leaves her questioning her past experiences, and whether she can ever reclaim her lost innocence.