The
Persecution of Mildred Dunlap
Paulette
Mahurin
Publisher:
Blue Palm Press
Publishing
Date: March 23, 2012
ISBN:
9780977186617
Book Description:
A women's Brokeback Mountain. The year was filled with memorable historical
events: the Dreyfus Affair divided France; Booker T. Washington gave his Atlanta
address; the United States expanded the effects of the Monroe Doctrine in South
America; and Oscar Wilde was tried and convicted for gross indecency under
Britain's recently passed law that made sex between males a criminal offense.
When news of Wilde's conviction went out over telegraphs worldwide, it threw a
small Nevada town into chaos. This is the story of what happened when the lives
of its citizens were impacted the Wilde news. It is a chronicle of hatred and
prejudice with all its unintended and devastating consequences, and how love and
friendship bring strength and healing.
My Thoughts:
This book is a historical
bombshell. I loved the plot and the story line, and the ending I never seen
coming. I totally expected something else to happen. ‘The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap totally
blew me away.’
The writing in this book was
great and the story captured me from the first page. I really couldn’t put it
down. It was such an involved story that you just had to know what happened. I
mean there was so much ignorance in that time it was interesting to read about
two lesbians living in secret because of what was thought back then.
The time and society that they
lived in was a very strict and almost inhumane one. There was a very small
amount of open minded people in that time. If you were caught doing things that
society looked down upon there were dire consequences. I think we take for
granted how far things have come in our society today. Granted people are still
targeted unjustly but this story shows how severe it was back then. These two
women lived in fear of their lives because of the love that they had for each
other.
This book was not my normal type
of read but I was very captivated by this book, the characters really spoke to
me and the plot really stuck out. I enjoyed this book thoroughly and would
recommend it. The writing was amazing and I loved this book so much! Such a
great job and I would read anything else from this author!
*I recieved this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I did not recieve compensation for this review.
Thank you, Chasity, for the great review, but more significantly for accepting a book that was out of your “normal type of read.” Oddly enough, in the past what I’ve written were murder mysteries and love stories.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was doing research into lesbians in history, I learned that women friendships, even displays of affection or living together as spinsters, were acceptable, but were they to have been suspected or labeled lesbian, then they were diagnosed as insane, and thrown into mental institutions. Their treatment was rape, to cure them so they could then enjoy men.
I am a Nurse Practitioner, specializing in women’s health, and when I read that I thought of all the beautiful, kind, decent-hurting-no-one women I provide for, and couldn’t put this story down. It screamed to be told.
Thank you, for all the places you posted your review, including your great blog (of which I am now a happy follower) to help shine a light on intolerance, which still exists in the hearts of too many.
Paulette Mahurin
Great review for a book that sounds like a terrific read! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this book with us fellow readers. :)
ReplyDeleteAngie Edwards @ Books4Tomorrow