45 pages 1 hour read

Valentine

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

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Book Brief

Elizabeth Wetmore

Valentine

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

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Odessa, Texas • 1970s

Publication Year

2020

Publisher

Harper

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

Character List

Gloria Ramírez

The first-generation American daughter of a Mexican family who feels out of place in West Texas, she is a strong-willed 14-year-old dealing with feelings of displacement, rebellion, and defiance against authority, struggling with her identity and family relationships.

A compassionate and determined pregnant woman who helps Gloria after she is assaulted, struggling to navigate the expectations and limitations placed on women in her conservative Texas community while standing by her principles.

A retired schoolteacher and widow grappling with grief and isolation, who finds a renewed sense of purpose and connection through her developing relationships with her new neighbor Mary Rose and young D.A. Pierce.

A lonely and independent 10-year-old girl deserted by her mother, who forms unexpected bonds with people in her community, displaying resilience and an innate desire for connection and care.

Book Details
Pages

320

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Odessa, Texas • 1970s

Publication Year

2020

Publisher

Harper

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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