The Daughter's BOTM: Evidence of V

Holy smokes...did this book leave a lasting mark on me. I've never read a book with such unique and fragmented storytelling, but still the writing so shrewd that it paints a very explicit, clear image of the characters, history, and way of life.

Not a read for the faint of heart.

Evidence of V: A Novel in Fragments, Facts, and Fictions by Sheila O'Connor. This novel progresses through the story of V, a fifteen-year-old singer living in Minneapolis during the 1930's when she is incarcerated for six years because of an unplanned pregnancy. This truly heart wrenching novel was inspired by the author's own research into her unknown grandmother's past and that sense of injustice, loss, and truth seeking is evident throughout the story.

Truthfully, the writing technique took some getting used to for me, so fair warning, it is very different. However, that fragmented style of writing is deliberate to give the reader a sense of confusion and absence surrounding the circumstances of V, as well as the author's exhaustive search for her generational history.

There are so many takeaways from this book but what stuck with me most was just how persecuted women were, and how almost 100 years later, still are. There are multiple parallels that can be drawn between the perils of V and womanhood as we know it today. This villainy of women has been perpetuated into present day and there are scars that have been left for future generations because of it. O'Connor's storytelling is the prime example of this scarring.

"Not here, but someplace else. Say Ireland perhaps?...Never in Missouri, Kansas, Minnesota, New York, Massachusetts, California, and every other state. Never in America. Not us."

I couldn't help but read this quote and try to convince myself that these were fictitious parts in the our history. I was angry and outraged that this occurred, while simultaneously shameful that I did not know about this slice of history.

Because of this, I could not put the book down.

I'm sure we can all identify with a part of V. We want to stand up against injustices and fight for equality. We envy her resiliency and strength. We want our world to be better, do better. I saw V as a character like a horse who refuses to be broken.

I believe the author said it best being interviewed by NPR when she stated "For me, V is a force."

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The delicious tea I paired with this book was called: Mango & Bergamot by Whittard of Chelsea. It is a tart green tea with subtle hints of citrus. Makes the room smell quite tropical! Perfect cuppa for finishing this book outside on an autumn day.

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The Evidence of V - https://amzn.to/3s80vcn