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A review by elanorh
The American Queen by Vanessa Miller
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I liked this book a great deal and recommend it to those who enjoy learning about history. While it is historical fiction, it's based on a real story/location, and with my history background I can say that the plot points within the story are based on historical situations which have been well-documented (ie former enslaved people being forced to work for free by their former owners, or by communities when they couldn't support themselves since no one would pay them, etc.).
My one quibble would be - I'm not sure whether the emphasis on women as equals, as an almost instinctive response from Mama Sue and from the protagonist, Louella, would have been accurate? I don't know enough to be sure, but it felt very modern as I was reading it .... Obviously there were and are cultures where women and men were/are much more equal (then and now) compared to the South in the 1860-1880's.
My one quibble would be - I'm not sure whether the emphasis on women as equals, as an almost instinctive response from Mama Sue and from the protagonist, Louella, would have been accurate? I don't know enough to be sure, but it felt very modern as I was reading it .... Obviously there were and are cultures where women and men were/are much more equal (then and now) compared to the South in the 1860-1880's.