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A review by andrewfontenelle
Vivid by Beverly Jenkins
5.0
Great historical fiction!
Set in the period following the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era, Viveca Lancaster is an educated Black woman trained as a physician and raised in the state of California. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities for her to practice medicine where she lives, she takes up the post of a Doctor in a small Black community in Michigan.
At first and with few supporters she finds herself either ignored by most who feel that 'Doctoring' is not a job for a woman or seen just as a potential wife by most of the men. But once she demonstrates her medical skills and through her stubbornness and determination, she wins over the community. At the same time she grows ever closer to the handsome community leader, Nate Grayson.
Vivid (the nickname by which Viveca is known) is not just a love story. The author, Beverly Jenkins, sprinkles snippets of actual US history throughout the novel. There is even a helpful list for further reading on historical figures from about the time story is set.
I found Vivid a very enjoyable read which gives the reader an insight into the lives of the African Americans in the years immediately following the end of slavery. This book would be one of my recommendations and I hope to read other novels by Beverly Jenkins.
Set in the period following the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era, Viveca Lancaster is an educated Black woman trained as a physician and raised in the state of California. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities for her to practice medicine where she lives, she takes up the post of a Doctor in a small Black community in Michigan.
At first and with few supporters she finds herself either ignored by most who feel that 'Doctoring' is not a job for a woman or seen just as a potential wife by most of the men. But once she demonstrates her medical skills and through her stubbornness and determination, she wins over the community. At the same time she grows ever closer to the handsome community leader, Nate Grayson.
Vivid (the nickname by which Viveca is known) is not just a love story. The author, Beverly Jenkins, sprinkles snippets of actual US history throughout the novel. There is even a helpful list for further reading on historical figures from about the time story is set.
I found Vivid a very enjoyable read which gives the reader an insight into the lives of the African Americans in the years immediately following the end of slavery. This book would be one of my recommendations and I hope to read other novels by Beverly Jenkins.