THE VIRGIN CURE
Ami McKay
Harper Collins
June 26, 2012,
HC, 336pp,
978-0061140327
$25.99.
Is
it possible that men really believed that by taking the maiden head of a
young woman he would be cured of a host of socially transmitted
diseases, most importantly, the pox? Ami
McKay has created a heartfelt story a young girl named “Moth.” She was
abandoned by her father, and at the age of twelve was sold by her mother
to a wretched wealthy woman who abused her with sadistic pleasure. Moth
breaks free but her theft of a bracelet will only last so far. The year
is 1871 and McKay depicts the horrors of life on the streets for
thousands of young children who stayed alive by any means possible.
Moral principles succumbed to a need to survive through desperate
illegal and illicit behavior.
Moth is soon befriended by a young girl who offers her a chance to get off the streets. She introduces Moth to Miss Everett, the madam of a brothel who caters to the whims of wealthy gentlemen. They pay enormous sums to bed a young virgin. Miss Everett proudly and protectively cultivates the street girls to exude beauty and class. The girls learn to enchant their dates with sensual tension that only furthers to increase negotiations. Moth meets Dr. Sadie, a female physician who takes care of the girls in residence. Dr. Sadie questions young Moth’s age as her innocence is apparent beneath her bravado and intelligence. As Moth dreams of a better life, a life of independence and freedom to be herself she believes Miss Everett will provide a secure future. Dr. Sadie and Moth develop a friendship that allows her to see life outside the illusion of comfort provided by Miss Everett.
Moth is soon befriended by a young girl who offers her a chance to get off the streets. She introduces Moth to Miss Everett, the madam of a brothel who caters to the whims of wealthy gentlemen. They pay enormous sums to bed a young virgin. Miss Everett proudly and protectively cultivates the street girls to exude beauty and class. The girls learn to enchant their dates with sensual tension that only furthers to increase negotiations. Moth meets Dr. Sadie, a female physician who takes care of the girls in residence. Dr. Sadie questions young Moth’s age as her innocence is apparent beneath her bravado and intelligence. As Moth dreams of a better life, a life of independence and freedom to be herself she believes Miss Everett will provide a secure future. Dr. Sadie and Moth develop a friendship that allows her to see life outside the illusion of comfort provided by Miss Everett.
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| Ami McKay |
Her
story is easily imagined by Ami McKay’s captivating recreation of
tenement life in New York. In her author notes, she explains her
motivation and research that led her to Moth Fenwick’s story. She tells
her surprise at her discovery of the myth of what is called “the virgin
cure.” Ami McKay’s shaping of Moth is a composite of so many young girls
on the streets, homeless and doing whatever it takes to survive. Moth
will be remembered for her courage and her strong voice of determination
that covers up her frightened soul. Moth walks the reader down the
dirty social history of city life in the late 1800’s where countless of
homeless children struggled to survive life on the streets with hard and
desperate choices that often ended in tragedy. A wonderful vivid
enveloping historical fiction read. Will no doubt present comparisons
and reflection about children worldwide who struggle, fearful and alone
to this day.
Disclosure: A copy of this book was provided by TLC Book Tours for an unbiased review.
1 comment:
It just breaks my heart to think of girls doing things like this to survive! It sounds like a hopeful story, despite the bleak subject matter.
Thanks for being on the tour!
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