And what a book! My first word was outrageous... But it wasn't about Victoria that I meant it. It was the world in which she lived; it was shocking, appalling, and "almost" too
"He (her father) was going to take Byron once," I say, crying again at the memory of it, "and sell him to the circus."
unbelievable to accept. Except we know that it was probably all true. Flynn openly admits that she chose to write a sympathetic book about Woodhull. I can't blame her. For me, she was a woman who, perhaps, if she lived today, would have already been president! Not a hard statement to make, once you've read her story...
Winner of the 2016 IPPY Gold Medal for Adult Fiction
The Renegade Queen:
For President
By Eva Flynn
One of the most controversial issues about which Victoria Woodhull spoke about was "free love..." So I thought I would address that first. You see, her father not only physically abused her, but sexually abused her as well (as he did her sister who is also a character in this book.)
But it was on the discovery of her talent to talk to the dead, by
Victoria, that things got even worse. Her mother spent much time in prayer, speaking in tongues, concerning this ability. While her father immediately saw it as a money-making "gift."
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| ...Mama call for me, "Victoria!" I run to Mama. Mama is in a blue and green plaid dress wringing her hands, strands of hair falling out of her brunette bun, making her look either crazy or overworked. "Your chores. We need firewood, and the meal has to be cooked," Mama says. "I was playing with Hester, Odessa, and Mary," I said. Mama looks at me, clearly taken aback. "They are dead." "They are alive in the spirit world. I can see them," I say. Mama grabs my shoulders, "Don't lie to me child." "I'm not," I say. "You could see them too, but they are hiding right now." Mama holds out her hands to the heavens, "Sweet Jesus, sweet baby Jesus!" She then rocks back and forth on her feet and begins speaking the nonsense tongue talk...Jesus! Hallelujah!" I watch, entranced, wondering if this is what Mama did the night I was conceived... ~~ |
Victoria and later her sister, were pulled into a monumental scam which was based upon Victoria's ability to speak to the dead...and the more money they made, the worse it became for Victoria and Tennessee. Soon they lost all control of what they were forced to do with their bodies...so that money kept coming in...
It was that degradation brought about by their father that molded the need, the mandate that they have a right to decide who they loved...and bed...
Indeed Victoria was rescued from her father by marriage. Both Dr. Canning and Victoria did fall in love, but for Canning, he was really already wed...to drink...and prostitutes...
And because women were not allowed to seek divorce, Victoria was once again caught--she had the ability to freely love her husband, who instead turned away, seeking from her only the money she earned to acquire the two obsessions that owned him.
This novel is full of things that have always been important to me...so many that I can't possibly cover them in a review. I can only say that I wish I had know this woman because I know she would have been a friend, and certainly a woman for whom I would have voted!
And because women were not allowed to seek divorce, Victoria was once again caught--she had the ability to freely love her husband, who instead turned away, seeking from her only the money she earned to acquire the two obsessions that owned him.
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| Father smiles and kisses my forehead. "Girl, your worth has never been known, but to the world it will be shown." This is what Father tells me when he wants me to do something I do not want to do... "Do you want to talk to the dead?" "A woman like you was meant for the living...He laughs and grabs me... ~~~ |
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| "Conceived in a canvas brothel at a Methodist revival, born to a horse thief and a crazed simpleton, a humbug sold into marriage, an adulteress mother with a halfwit. And to think you can compete with a Vanderbilt..." Tennessee says. "Vanderbilt!" James says and stands up. "That's it, I will introduce you." ~~~ |
Her history of being conceived during a tent revival where, as was the routine--prostitute tents surrounded the main tent to take care of those overcome with emotion?--certainly began an unforgettable life of a woman...who, by design, has been mostly left out of all historical materials except in the fairly recent past.
The point when Victoria becomes involved in politics brings readers more into the historical activities and individuals who were involved at that time. One, in particular, Susan B. Anthony, is portrayed quite differently than anything you may have heard about her in other historical documents. It certainly was entertaining and added to the drama of the book, though some of it may have been added by the author. Still there are elements of truth that comes through for the majority of the book...Eva Flynn has followed history while creating a fascinating, colorful, powerful, compelling and yet sad story of what women were going through before formally given the rights that should have been theirs from the very beginning.
Flynn's novel is obviously based upon extensive research (and includes her references in the back of the book. In her Author's Note she begins: It can take years to recognize a visionary; it can take longer to appreciate the deep sacrifices made in a desperate desire to construct a new work... She notes that she wanted Victoria to finally have a voice of her own--a voice apart from what is left from her own writings and speeches...
It is the opinion of this reader that she has completely succeeded in what she set out to do. And in doing so, she has created the image of a vibrant, intelligent, strong woman who survived...and moved on to greatness, greater greatness than has been achieved since then! A truly exceptional novel...that's why I consider it a must-read for young female adults and older women and, of course, interested men! And a perfect time to read it...before the upcoming election for President!
GABixlerReviews
Some of the gems found in Renegade Queen
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| Lee Surrenders! The Rebellion Ends! ...All I see are sad young men and immigrant familites with a mixture of hope and despair painted on their faces. ~~~ |
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| April 15, 1865 Lincoln is assassinated. While many are in shock, I am not. Total war is total. |
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| July 7, 1865 Hypocrites. Nothing burns my soul more than a hypocrite. And politicians are hypocrites, all of them... |
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| Exclusive privileges. Women do not even hae non-exclusive privileges and now are accused of asking for special treatment. Mr. Walters can rape, beat, stab, and burn his woman and escape the noose, but poor old Mary takes some money from a stranger for a night's lodging and she hangs. Exclusive privileges. ~~~ |
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| "Revolution?" James asks. Before the word "revolution" is out of my mouth, the air around us grows tense and heavy. A thousand angels, the same ones I saw when I was a child, circle around James and I and form a protective sphere of white light... ~~~ |
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| "What kind of vow?"... "That no child would ever be born into a troubled marriage. Byron is the way he is beause his father was an addict when he was conceived. No woman should be forced into marriage like I was. We need a revolution. We must cure the world of its ills, so no woman has to be forced to enter or remain in a marriage fraught with misery. ~~~ |
"In all the world, there is no woman
banker," Vanderbilt says. "Fewer
than 100 women in this country own
stocks, even penny stocks."
"Change has to begin at some point
in history, and it might as well
begin with me," I say.
 |
| Lobbying is an activity that ladies do not engage in, for a lobbyist is the most loathsome individual, worse than a whore and the moral equivalent to the filth on the streets. But if I act like a lady, then I will have nothing except the kindnesses afforded a lady. I'll gladly forego kind words and soft gestures from strangers in exchange for my rights. |
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| "Glory be! Hallelujah!" I have found the word that will change the course of history. Citizens! I've done it, I've done it... "14th Amendment," I say. "All persons born or naturalized in the United States are Citizens." ~~~ |
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| After a long day of fancy ladies, bears and bulls, Tennessee and I take a carriage to Dan Tucker's. As we get out of the arriage, we notice Mr. Smith, the manager, yelling at a drunk, dirty vagrant... Tennessee and I walk into the restaurant, trying to avoid staring at the man, as there is no sense in adding to his public embarassment. Before we can sit down, Mr. Smith runs over... "My dear Mrs. Woodhull, my dear Ms. Claflin, you are aware that I cannot possibly serve two women unaccompanied by a man at night." Mr. Smith says... I nod and leave Tennessee and Mr. Smith for one moment...I walk back with the smelly bum on my arm. We are given a reception of stares and jeers as his unfortunate odor fills the tiny establishment. "Mr. Smith," I say, "soup for three." ~~~ |
"We have too much to do to worry about
what future historians will think? I say.
"As long as we get the vote, the historians
can cast me as the very devel and my
spirit would be undisturbed."
Stand ye calm and resolute,
Like a forest close and mute,
With folded arms and looks which are
Weapons of unvanquished war.
And if then the tyrantws dare,
Let them ride among you there;
Slash, and stab, and maim and hew;
What they like, that let them do.
With folded arms and steady eyes,
And little far, and less surprise,
look upon them as they slay,
Till their rage has died away.
Then they will return with shame,
To the place from which they came,
And the blood thus shed will speak
In hot blushes on their cheek:
Rise, like lions after slumber
Unvanquishable number!
Shake your chains to earth dew
Which in sleep had fallen you:
Ye are many--they are few!
Written to Victory from Train a supporter...
When she realized that neither of her brilliant parents (a conservative political science professor and a liberal feminist) had never heard of her, it was the beginning of a lifelong fascination not only with Victoria Woodhull but in discovering the stories that the history books do not tell.
Brave battles fought, new worlds sought, loves lost all in the name of some future glory have led her to spend years researching the period of Reconstruction. Her first book, The Renegade Queen, explores the forgotten trailblazer Victoria Woodhull and her rivalry with Susan B. Anthony.
Eva was born and raised in Tennessee, earned her B.A. in Political Science from DePauw in Greencastle, Indiana and still lives in Indiana. Eva enjoys reading, classic movies, and travelling. She loves to hear from readers...
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