Disclaimer: I listened to this in the midst of reading “The Making of Biblical Womanhood”, by Beth Allison Barr, and a damning article about the myriad failures of Moody Bible Institute when it comes to further traumatizing women after they’ve been sexually assaulted. Also, romance novels written after 1900 just aren’t my cup of tea.

Blech. This was a really long book to trudge through with such a spineless heroine. The story line tries to mature her through various experiences, but the only decision she makes based on her character arc is not to get married in the scant 6 months she seems to be eligible to do so.

The 4 older women were cliche and predictable. As were the suitors. The sermons were thin and forced. The family history revelations were mildly entertaining, if you’d shut your brain off to the rest of the cast.

The 2 stars are for the weaving together of historical people and events: Jane Addams, Moody, The World’s Fair and the Chicago Fire. There were several attempts to treat subjects such as women’s rights and immigrants’ struggles, but Violet and the book never came to any stronger position than sympathy.

Review of the audio: The recording was, mercifully, very slow, so I could listen at 1.75 speed.