Eva Flynn

I've known the name Victoria Woodhull, and her association with women's suffrage, for many years -- but I had no idea that she had been the center of so much scandal and infamy. Her enemies called her "Mrs. Satan," and even Susan B. Anthony repudiated her because of her insistence on full sexual equality with men, not just the right to vote. This historical novel presents a lively and engaging account of her life, but ends very abruptly with her necessary departure from the United States to England. I assume that because of the "1" in the subtitle of this volume, the rest of the story will be forthcoming.… (plus d'informations)

I've been trying to think of the reasons why I ended up changing my opinion from favorable to frustrated throughout the reading of this book. I enjoy a historical novel that intrigues me enough to do further research and this book definitely did that, so I'm grateful to the author for stimulating my interest in Victoria Woodhull, but somewhere in the fictionalization of her life and of her sister Tennessee's life the line was crossed from believable to implausible.

The gratuitous descriptions of Tennessee's sexual proclivities seemed unnecessary, and a distraction from Woodhull and her contributions to the suffrage movement. A miss for me.… (plus d'informations)

Victoria Claflin, later Victoria Woodhull who with no formal education, except for a few years, grew up in poverty and where Victoria and her siblings had to earn money for the family. Born of a father who was a con artist and a mother who was off in la-la land most of the time, Victoria and one of her siblings had to put up with their father's tyrannical behavior. Her father also sexually and physically abuses Victoria and her sister Tennessee and forces Victoria to perform as a clairvoyant. At the age of 15 Victoria marries a man who is a doctor, but it is soon revealed that he is a hopeless alcoholic, unfaithful to his marriage vows and unreliable as a husband to Victoria. She gave birth to a son who was mentally challenged, probably due to her husband's alcoholism. She also had a daughter.
Victoria became a woman's advocate and a proponent of free love which made her an outcast in Victorian times. One tough lady, though, she persevered and became a newspaper publisher, dabbled as a philanthropist, a lady stockbroker with her sister Tennessee, public speaking, all before women had the right to vote. She lobbied so that woman could vote. She had very influential friends such as Commodore Vanderbilt and also made many enemies including other women. She was often at loggerheads with Susan B. Anthony. She presented her views in front of a congressional committee stating that women already had the right to vote from within the 14th and 15th amendments
During this time she met and fell in love with James Blood, a Civil War Commander of the 6th Missouri Volunteer Infantry in the Union Army and Victoria's second husband. This marriage was a match made in heaven for them both but things don't always go as planned.
Most significant was her run for the first woman president. As we know, she didn't win but she paved the way for a lot of women's rights that we enjoy today. On the eve of President Grants election, Woodhull published an article in her newspaper aimed at exposing popular preacher Henry Ward Beecher as an adulterous hypocrite. In retaliation, she was sent to jail where she was charged along with Tennessee for sending obscene literature through the mail. Her and sister were eventually exonerated. Because of the backlash from the charges she was called Mrs. Satan and forced from her home. At the end of the story, she leaves the US and moves to England.
The Renegade Queen is a fascinating look at the life of one of the most influential woman along with Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and other brave women who put up with being ostracized in a man's world. Without these women, we would not be enjoying the equal rights we have now. Every woman should read this story. Not only is this a fictionalized story of a great influential woman but it is also a love story between Victoria and James. A love story that is a bit heart wrenching. I look forward to reading the next installment of this debut historical novel by Eva Flynn.… (plus d'informations)

Victoria Woodhull and her partner James Blood were controversial figures of their time. So controversial, that they have been all but erased from history. Victoria’s life was controversial from her conception; however she always knew that she was destined for greatness. Victoria and her sister, Tennessee are used and abused by their parents. Tennessee is set up as a healer and Victoria is proffered as a medium to speak to the dead. At a young age, Victoria is whisked away and married to a much older Dr. Canning Woodhull, while her life is better than with her parents, Victoria is still subjected to Canning's drunkenness and whoring. Also, Canning wasn't expecting such an intelligent, willful and strong girl as his wife. As Victoria grows, her mind evolves as well. She has strong opinions on slavery and women's rights. Victoria meets Susan B. Anthony and her fervor grows, when Victoria meets and falls in love with Civil War hero, James Blood, she is given the opportunity to act on her dreams of women's rights. With James' encouragement Victoria is able to open a financial institution, start a newspaper and even run for president.

I was captivated by Victoria's life from the point of her describing her conception in a whore's tent at a Methodist revival. From then, it seems like she hit the ground running and there was not one dull moment in her fascinating life. While Victoria's life was difficult, she persevered through her strong will, determination and ever increasing gains in knowledge and insight. Victoria's progressive thinking and ideas to further herself continually impressed me. I also loved seeing other historical figures through her eyes, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Commodore Vanderbilt were shown in a different light. Victoria's sister, Tennessee is also an enthralling character, the polar opposite of Victoria, but her best friend and companion for the campaign. I feel like I could go on and on about Victoria's contributions to women's rights and her amazing life. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to learn about Victoria as an important historical figure. I wish she would have appeared in my history textbooks as well, but she has fallen to the wayside as a victim of censorship and impropriety, which is exactly what she fought so hard against.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.… (plus d'informations)