Women’s rights. World War. Immigration. Election ethics. These are issues we might be discussing today...yet they are the storyline for Amy Stewart’s historical fiction.
Women’s Rights: Much like the novels Ten Days in a Madhouse by Nellie Bly (1887) and Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry (set in 1895) the lunatic asylum became a dumping ground for women who had no way to legally fight being committed. The lack of understanding of postpartum depression and menopause found women all over the country in these institutions.
World War I: What I know is almost nil. The war started in 1914 and ended in 1918. The United States got involved in 1917. Oh, and women got the vote in 1920. The immigrant issues that this war stirred up, feels a lot like today. Mistrust, suspicion, who among your neighbors was a German sympathizer?
Election ethics: This part of the novel hit me in the face. I suppose part of it has to do with the growing number of political ads on TV. The mug slinging has already started. But I do think that Sheriff Heath was right, “A man who does nothing but cast our hate and blame couldn’t possibly be elected to office.” (223) Hmmmm, well we’ve seen it happen now haven’t we?
Of the four novels (getting ready to read #5) this is by far my favorite. I couldn’t put it down. I was frustrated, angry, relieved, and proud. The characters did not disappoint - Norma and her pigeons even took a share of the storyline. Two questions remain, however; 1) how did Deputy Kopp manage to run down all those criminals in the layers of dress worn back in the day, and 2) just what is a potato and pickle sandwich?
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