This historical novel was inspired by a photograph of the author's great great grandmother, who had been a doctor in New York City in the late-1800's, caring for the poor.
Rather than have the doctor as the central character, the author chose to focus on a 12-year-old girl named "Moth".
Moth grew up in poverty, with a father who abandoned the family and a mother who made her business in fortune telling and sold Moth as a maid to a woman of society. Quote: "The woman of society does little but doff and don dry goods". There was much description of complex layers of clothing. The wealthy women changed their attire often. However, this 'woman of society' was abusive and Moth escaped into the streets of New York, joining a multitude of homeless street children. In fact, it is recorded that there were 30,000 children living on the streets of New York in 1871.
Moth had a vision of wealth that she yearned to attain, spending time watching Miss. Keteltas' house constantly, every chance she had to pass it- looking in the windows, walking around the house, dreaming about the house and its furnishings.
Moth was enticed into a brothel where she was groomed by Miss. Everett, while Dr. Sadie, who climbed in and out of tenements caring for the poor, tried to save Moth. Moth was only 12, but felt that she must complete her contract with the brothel, and then immediately escaped to Dr. Sadie's home after giving up her virginity to the highest bidder.
Moth did end up 'a woman of society' by working for Mr. Dink's Museum and Palace of Illusion.
Whoops! I gave away the ending. But there is much description of New York in this time period that is certainly worth reading.
There is talk of "first-time men"' who want to have sex with virgins. Often their purpose was to cure syphilis, which was rampant. Thus, the title "The Virgin Cure".
The author does a great deal of research for her books. In this novel there were sidebars with quotes from newspapers and magazines of the day, letters, and other information from that time period in New York City.
Some people found the sidebars annoying and others found that it added to the authenticity of the novel.
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| Ami Mckay |
Ami KcKay is known for her first book "The Birth House" (c2006), which was very popular. "The Virgin Cure" was written in 2011. Ami has written 3 other novels and recently published a memoir of her family's medical history.
I found many questions to ponder in this novel: What does it mean to be good? Is there a difference between 'doing good' and 'being good'? What do we owe other people? What do we deserve in return?
There are moral, social and spiritual questions in this novel.
The cast of characters is fascinating.
Clara Purdy, 43, was on her way to work when she hit a car carrying 6 passengers- all part of a homeless family- mother, father, 3 children, and a grandmother. While at the hospital being checked, it is discovered that the mother has cancer. Since the family was living in their car, Clara brings them all to her home.
Clara's life had been very 'empty' since the passing of her mother. She is described in this way: "Her self was an abandoned sampler, half the letters unstitched, the picture in the middle still vague".
Well, her life certainly becomes 'exciting', but perhaps too much excitement. The father steals her car and leaves, and she falls in love with an Anglican minister who seems only to be able to express himself by quoting famous poets. All this, while caring for three young children and an elderly woman.
Clara's chaotic life changes when the mother recovers and the father reappears and moves the family out of Clara's house without mentioning anything to Clara.
Now what?
I read this book in 2010, because it had been a finalist for the Giller Prize. On re-reading it this time, I was impressed with the ending of the novel. Although you are not sure what will happen to the characters, there is a satisfaction as the whole cast of characters gathers at a picnic. And Clara...."At last her mind was not noisy with wanting and her heart had satisfied its longings".
Just look at the covers for this novel that was just published last year(c2018). Interesting variety.
This is an autobiography that is gripping. Tara Westover grew up in an isolated area of Idaho. Her father did not believe in government, medicine, or education. As Mormons, they expected the girls to marry and have a family. The seven children were supposedly home-schooled, but there was not much education at all. Tara actually taught herself every chance she had, and eventually she passed the test to enter Brigham Young University on a scholarship.
The father of the family had a junkyard where the children worked in very dangerous situations and often were injured, because they had no instruction or supervision and they were working from a young age. The father was not only preparing for the end of the world, but he was also mentally ill. The mother would never go against the father. She was a midwife and she developed a large business making herbal remedies.
The family was always in turmoil. There was abuse as well as neglect.
Tara eventually achieved a PHD. in History.
There is a lot of controversy about this book on the internet. I read comments made by her brothers, but who knows if it really was them speaking? There is even a letter from the family lawyer. But, a memoir is one person's experience and it is impossible for seven children to all have the same recollections and thoughts about their family. Tara was the youngest and also very bright.
My concern all the way through the book was, "Who could have changed the course of that family?" Because they lived in a remote area, I don't expect 'family and children services' was available, and any interference would have caused an uproar worse than the actual events. There were two sets of grandparents not too far away and it appears that they must have been aware of much of the family turmoil. I constantly wondered what they could have done.
The memoir is disturbing, but very well-written.
