A review by tamara_mousa
Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore

dark informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

In her tale Valentine, Elizabeth Wetmore portrayed the life in Texas, particularly in Odessa, during the oil boom in the 1970s. This is the story of the Hispanic-American teenager Gloria, and the 26-year old pregnant Mary Rose. Gloria is the survivor of a brutal rape in the middle of the desert near the oil fields. Mary Rose rescued Gloria, because of which she went through a war against the rapist's family and friends, who urged Mary Rose (via phone calls and yelling across her house's fence) not to destroy the life of a good White boy for the sake of a Hispanic slut. This tale shed light on lack of justice and racism in cases of rape and always blaming the victim, especially if she wasn't White. This story also highlighted the trauma of a rape survivor and the strength it requires to convince the jury/community that they are the victim not the rapist! A complete summary can be found in my blog: www.tamarayousefmousa.com/