Inventing Victoria

Readers learn about diverse lifestyles of African Americans during post-Reconstruction era. Author deftly winds history lessons into characters' personal stories. Victoria's mother accompanies General Sherman's March to the Sea during the U.S. Civil War. Victoria attends a speech by Frederick Douglass. Victoria reads many popular books of the era, from primers on etiquette to Oliver Optic's Magazine. The main themes -- parental neglect, racism, challenges of leaving a familiar world to pursue opportunity -- are true to historical setting and relevant to contemporary readers. 

Despite her family background, Victoria harbors a passion for books, is determined to pursue an education. She faces parental neglect, racism, challenges that come with leaving a familiar world to pursue opportunity. A woman in the community, Ma Clara, provides positive moral instruction her mother cannot give her; another, Miss Abby, gives her a job. Essie's hard work attracts a wealthy patron, Dorcas Vashon, a woman who has dedicated herself to improving the lives of other African American people. Victoria's love interest, Wyatt, is enterprising, kind. The portrayal of their relationship shows respect between sexes, positive approaches to conflict resolution, and healthy intimacy.

Victoria's mother is a brothel owner. In an early chapter, Victoria describes her distress at overhearing her mother having sex with men in the next room. Once Essie has become Victoria, she falls in love with Wyatt, and there are passing mentions of kissing and caressing.