“Gloria could be any of our girls….”
( Synopsis above provided by the publisher.)
“Why don’t we give a shit about what happens to a girl like Glory Ramirez?”
Yes, it start’s out the day after a young teen’s rape, but it doesn’t stay there. This character driven novel orbits around race, gender, and integrity in Odessa, Texas in 1976 as seen through the female perspective only.
Rape details are not disclosed. The emotional and physical aftermath on Gloria (also known as Glory) are affirmed, but Gloria is given only 3 chapters in the book. It tends to focus on the emotional effects. There were not a lot of gruesome details.
This is primarily a literary novel that basks in a bounty literary elements. If you are looking for a quick read, this is not it. Each sentence was constructed to drive home a deeper meaning, intensify the essence of a character, or to advance the atmosphere. There were moments during the first half, that moved at a slower pace because of the excessive use of language. In the end, those longer descriptions and narrations really made me feel like I knew these women though. Some of them I won’t forget.
Chapters alternate point of view without pattern and are told from women living in Odessa during this time. The main characters are typically effected by that night Gloria was raped, either as distant witness or a community member. But, other women chime in with chapters (unrelated to Gloria’s case) to solidify a setting that reflects gender inequity.
Valentine is Elizabeth Wetmore’s debut novel. Visit her website.
Read this essay from Elizabeth Wetmore about her book, Valentine.
Check out BookPage’s interview with Elizabeth Wetmore about growing up in Odessa, Texas.
Read Publisher Weekly’s review of Valentine.
Read the Washington Posts’ review of Valentine.
Follow Elizabeth Wetmore on Instagram.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions are my own.