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Going from a dysfunctional household into a miserable first marriage, Victoria Claflin knows first hand what it is like to be abused. Tired of ill treatment, Victoria begins to voice her opinions about free love and divorce whenever she has an opportunity. It's not until she meets the love of her life, Colonel James Blood, that Victoria makes a real push for women's rights. The Colonel plays key roles in her attainment of wealth and support in the suffrage movement. Victoria's viewpoints are undoubtedly radical, and she often gets into arguments with Susan B. Anthony. Yet her determination earns her a nomination for President of the United States in 1872. The tide take a drastic turn, though, when Victoria gets wind of a scandalous affair and decides to make it public.
Eva Flynn pens a compelling read on the rebellious life of Victoria Woodhull, a woman who was written "out of history altogether." The first book in her Rebellious Times series, Flynn's first person narrative covers Victoria's life from her meager beginnings up to the time that she leaves for England. Pulling from a plethora of sources, which she lists at the end of her debut, Flynn skillfully weaves history into engaging dialogue while relaying a powerful story of one woman's fortitude during a time when women had less value than cows. While much of the emphasis is on Victoria's role in the suffrage movement, Flynn's plot also centers heavily on Victoria and James' unique yet short-lived relationship. Flynn keeps her storyline moving by combining chronology with all of the above-mentioned literary elements. Fascinating from beginning to end, The Renegade Queen is certain to be a hit for history enthusiasts.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review