Originally posted on my blog Guiltless ReadingOscar Wilde would have been proud.
This book is not about Oscar Wilde, but he would have been proud how this book's message of tolerance was inspired by his life. News about his conviction was also the impetus for the string of rather unfortunate events that play itself out in this small Nevada town.
Mildred Dunlap hails from a moneyed family, but is known by many to be kind-hearted and generous with her wealth. But she suffers because of her rather manly looks. She lives quietly with her cousin Edra minding their own business.
When the news of Oscar Wilde's conviction for gross indecency breaks, it serves as fodder for this Red Pass. Conservatives in the community denounce the act and past events of how men suspected of being homosexual were driven away from their very community becomes news once more.
This strikes fear in Mildred's own heart. She has witnessed how intolerance has bred contempt and hatred in her community, the very reason why she has spent a life covering up her love for her cousin Edra. She knows how things will go if people find out the truth about them. Contrary to Edra's gut feel, Mildred decides to take matters into her own hands and concocts an elaborate plan to plant "anti-gossip" among the gossipmongers.
As things are set in motion, she comes head to head with Josie Purdue, who has an axe to grind with Mildred. Josie fights back with her own counterplan. What follows is a tragedy, bringing to fore the evilness of ignorance, close-mindedness and intolerance.
What I liked: This book is extremely insightful about people and the crowd mentality. I hail from a small town where everyone knows everybody and everybody's business (whether or not they should) - and there is the good, the bad, and the ugly to it. I am familiar with how gossip gets twisted and can take on a life of its own. Really, how do these things get so out of hand?
Paulette Mahurin is a master at her characters. While it seems that the protagonists and antagonists are clear in the beginning, they are actually depicted as being neither good not bad, but merely as human. The message of tolerance really comes across as we are given a peek into Josie's wretched life, of Edra's painful past, of storekeeper Gus's dark secret, of Charley's ignorance and simple-mindedness. Their stories shape their lives, their relationships, and their actions. It is their realism that will draw you into this story.
Verdict: An insightful story about how people deal with and live with bigotry. While a simple story at the core, the life lessons one draws out of it will hit you hard, provoke you, challenge you. Would you stand up in face of a crowd demanding that being prejudiced is right? A highly recommended read!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I also hosted Paulette Mahurin's guest post entitled "What I Would Risk for Love" and a giveaway of her book on this blog.