Author: Nicole Evelina
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Lawson Gartner Publishing
Publish Date: July 25, 2016
Source: HF Virtual Book Tours
What's the Story?:
From Goodreads.com: "Rising from the shame of an abusive childhood, Victoria Woodhull, the daughter of a con-man and a religious zealot, vows to follow her destiny, one the spirits say will lead her out of poverty to “become ruler of her people.”
But the road to glory is far from easy. A nightmarish marriage teaches Victoria that women are stronger and deserve far more credit than society gives. Eschewing the conventions of her day, she strikes out on her own to improve herself and the lot of American women.
Over the next several years, she sets into motion plans that shatter the old boys club of Wall Street and defile even the sanctity of the halls of Congress. But it’s not just her ambition that threatens men of wealth and privilege; when she announces her candidacy for President in the 1872 election, they realize she may well usurp the power they’ve so long fought to protect.
Those who support her laud “Notorious Victoria” as a gifted spiritualist medium and healer, a talented financial mind, a fresh voice in the suffrage movement, and the radical idealist needed to move the nation forward. But those who dislike her see a dangerous force who is too willing to speak out when women are expected to be quiet. Ultimately, “Mrs. Satan’s” radical views on women’s rights, equality of the sexes, free love and the role of politics in private affairs collide with her tumultuous personal life to endanger all she has built and change how she is viewed by future generations.
This is the story of one woman who was ahead of her time – a woman who would make waves even in the 21st century – but who dared to speak out and challenge the conventions of post-Civil War America, setting a precedent that is still followed by female politicians today."
My Two Cents:
"Madame Presidentess" is a historical fiction book about Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for the American presidency. This is one of a group of books about Victoria that come out recently. My suspicion is that as we have one of the first women in a while running as viable presidential candidate that people are beginning to discover Woodhull again. Also, her life is incredibly fascinating! You have the makings for a good historical fiction book. It's no wonder that she is become such a popular topic for historical fiction.
Victoria's life doesn't start out great. She is born into a very poor family where her father seems to focus only on the next get rich scheme and her mother is addled by religious visions. It falls to Victoria in a lot of ways to take care of her siblings and keep the family going, which is hard for anyone. When she has the opportunity to get married at a very young age she does as it means more freedom for her. This book covers from her childhood to her adult years so you get to know her very well. Again it's no wonder that she's such a popular topic for historical fiction. She is an incredibly strong person who defines the word perseverance. I really enjoyed getting to know her a little bit better through this book.
The writing of the book is pretty good. Evelina gives a fresh take on Woodhull's life. But of the things that I really liked about the book, I especially was drawn to the first-person perspective which really pulls you into Victoria's life and makes her feel like a real person. It feels like a lot of people are just discovering this person. Before I read the last historical fiction book about Woodhull, I didn't know much about her at all. She's one of those people that in a lot of ways has largely been lost to history.
I went into this with a lot of expectations, but was disappointed as the story went on.
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