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45 pages 1 hour read

Valentine

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

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Book Brief

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Elizabeth Wetmore

Valentine

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020
Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Odessa, Texas • 1970s

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

In the oil town of Odessa, Texas, 14-year-old Mexican girl Gloria Ramírez is brutally assaulted by a white boy, Dale Strickland, dividing the town along racial lines. Mary Rose Whitehead becomes the primary witness in the subsequent trial. The novel shifts perspectives between various women in the town who, despite societal pressures, support Gloria in different ways, navigating a landscape of racism and misogyny. Themes of sexual violence, racial discrimination, and trauma.

Gritty

Dark

Mysterious

Melancholic

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

3.9

49,284 ratings

66%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Elizabeth Wetmore's Valentine has garnered praise for its vivid characterization and poignant depiction of women's resilience in post-1970s Texas. Critics appreciate its lyrical prose and gripping narrative. However, some have noted a slow pace and occasionally underdeveloped subplots. Overall, it’s lauded for its emotional depth and social commentary.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Valentine?

Readers who appreciate gripping, character-driven narratives exploring themes of resilience and justice in a community, much like in The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah or The Help by Kathryn Stockett, will enjoy Elizabeth Wetmore's Valentine. This novel is perfect for those who are drawn to stories set against stark, realistic backdrops.

3.9

49,284 ratings

66%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Odessa, Texas • 1970s

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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