The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap (Book) - 12/23/2012 8:29:33 AM
“The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap” uses two well-known scandals of 1895 to start off and move along the plot of our protagonists. It is an interesting and skilfully executed set-up, followed by an equally brilliant illustration of how the imprisonment of Oscar Wilde and the anti-Semitism shown in the Dreyfus Affair in France could have been received in a remote and isolated location such as a small town in Nevada.
Each chapter is accompanied by a quotation from Oscar Wilde’s work. I am not usually a fan of poetry and themes used as headings, but the author has chosen them appropriately and very well.
The description of the setting succeeds effortlessly with just enough detail to make it easy for us to imagine we are there with the heroes, but without overloading us with description that gets in the way of the plot. The portrayal of the times seems also very authentic and the dialogue is also very realistic and flows easily.
The way the characters interact with each other is simply brilliantly done and gives the book a lively feeling. The story is much more complex and involved than the beginning and the book title seemed to imply to me – which made this an unpredictable and compulsice reading experience.
The book is an illustration of hate, intolerance and gossip in a small community and is kind and politically correct in its message. At a time when Gay Marriage proposals are being voted on all over the world and homophobia comes back into the spotlight of media attention this story is reminiscent of many of our current arguments.
At first I found it unbelievable and off-putting that some of the characters would – at that time in history – have the understanding and tolerance as the author attributes to them. Then I realised that the same ancient prejudiced views that haunt our Mildred in the book are still around in 2012.
The book is a great piece of work on human nature and I will be recommending it to my friends.
5 out of 5
The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap (Book) - 12/19/2012 11:17:29 PM
A compelling and thought provoking story.
As I like both Historical Fiction and Oscar Wilde this book immediately interested me. I was not disappointed.
Some of the other reviews have concentrated on the lesbian/gay aspect of this book. I don't see this as the objective of the story. For me it is the struggle of people who are different against the prejudices of society. Prejudices that unfortunately society still holds today. Race, religion and sexual preferences are all brought into this touching story. The gossip and rumour of a small town forms a focus of irrational hatred fired by one strong and severely bigoted individual. Rising from this are stories of enduring love and friendship.
It is set in a small town in Nevada where the world's news is brought in through the telegraph office, the centre of gossip and congregation. I have never been to Nevada but the descriptions are vivid enough for me to be able to picture this town, its people, their lives and costumes of that period. The characterisations are also vivid. I hated them; I wanted to slap several of them. I cried with some of them, feeling their grief and I empathised with those that were persecuted.
Mahurin peppers this fictional story with factual history of the time through the means of the telegraph office. Stories of Oscar Wilde, the Atlanta Address, Alfred Dreyfus and other religious and political scandals of the day. Each event serves to fuel the hatred of the bigots in this small town.
The main story, that of the generous Mildred and her cousin Edra is beautifully written. Mildred's scheme to hide her relationship has some very unexpected results, one of them terrible. I won't spoil the story for you. It is compelling reading on many different levels and enhanced by a pertinent quotation from Oscar Wilde at the beginning of each chapter.
The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap (Book) - 12/16/2012 12:39:46 AM
An impressive read, where tension builds up from the very first pages, following Mildred Dunlap’s life and that of her only friends – Edra and Charley. A life she lives as she wants to, not as the others consider she should. Mildred’s plain looks fed town talk despite her generosity “to most of the people in the town when financial need arose”.
The opening pages mirror the small community’s reaction at hearing the news of Oscar Wilde’s imprisonment because of homosexuality. This will trigger the surfacing of feelings, dormant up to then- prejudice, intolerance and hatred-that live in closed minds. It also brings havoc in the existence of the people who fall victim to the persecution, ignorance and mockery of the other inhabitants of Red River Pass.
The characters are credible and appealing. Along the story we witness significant changes in their behavior and attitude towards each other and towards the whole mean community; a community whose only means of entertainment is gossip and meddling in other people’s lives. Lack of compassion and understanding, pointing fingers to the others brings nothing but destruction.
A strong storyline, with characters who take the reader on their journey of self discovery and revealing the bitter secrets well hidden up to then. Tolerance towards people who‘ve chosen another style of life, friendship and, above all, unconditional love may overcome all barriers and mend old soul’s wounds.
I enjoyed the read that hooked me and kept me reading till the end. An excellent novel and food for thought. Without doubt, The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap is one of the best-written books I’ve read this year. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
