*Synopsis*
Olivia Mead is a headstrong, independent girl—a suffragist—in an age that prefers its girls to be docile. It’s 1900 in Oregon, and Olivia’s father, concerned that she’s headed for trouble, convinces a stage mesmerist to try to hypnotize the rebellion out of her. But the hypnotist, an intriguing young man named Henri Reverie, gives her a terrible gift instead: she’s able to see people’s true natures, manifesting as visions of darkness and goodness, while also unable to speak her true thoughts out loud. These supernatural challenges only make Olivia more determined to speak her mind, and so she’s drawn into a dangerous relationship with the hypnotist and his mysterious motives, all while secretly fighting for the rights of women. Winters breathes new life into history once again with an atmospheric, vividly real story, including archival photos and art from the period throughout.
*My Thoughts*
The Cure for Dreaming is a period piece set in 1900 Portland, Oregon where the Women's Suffragist movement has faced many obstacles in their bid to win the right to vote. 17-year old Olivia Mead, our protagonist, has her own dreams. She dreams of finishing school, of attending college, of becoming a journalist, of helping women win the right to vote, while not being held back by a male dominated society that believes women are second class citizens.
Unfortunately for Olivia, her misogynistic dentist of a father refuses to accept women's right to vote. He has other ideas about her future and goes to great lengths to bring Olivia to heel. After hearing about Henri Reverie controlling his daughter under hypnotism, Dr. Mead decides that this is the perfect time to destroy his daughters hopes and dreams by making her docile and non-argumentative and subject to what he believes her future should be.
Instead, Olivia finds that Henri has given her the sight to see people's true natures while unable to speak out in anger. Olivia becomes more determined to speak her mind, and so she’s drawn into a relationship where Henri's motives may or may not be sound. She doesn't stand around lamenting about her father's injustice. She strides forward, she gains confidence, and in the end, she earned my respect as a character.
Winters writes a vivid story filled with archive photos and artwork from the time period The Cure for Dreaming is set in. The story DOES bring out some real emotions because history hasn't exactly been kind to women over the years. You don't necessarily have to be a feminist to read this book or understand how hard women have fought over the years for rights others already have.
I am ashamed at how many women haven't a clue how hard Susan B Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Victoria Woodhull, Belva Ann Lockwood, and others worked in order to gain the right to vote. Schools have lost their way, and we need them to return back to a time when the US was the envy of the world. Where children actually graduated school with real life skills, and not brainwashing into forgetting important moments in this countries history.
Did you know that in 1896 Idaho became the first US state to adopt a constitutional amendment granting suffrage to women? Did you know that the movement started in the 1840's and wasn't ratified by Congress until 1920 under the Nineteenth Amendment? Did you know that this year there are over 500 women running for office across this country? Information is power people! Learn your history so we can move forward as a nation.
Author - Cat Winters
Title - The Cure for Dreaming
Published by Amulet Books
Released: October 14, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Historical
Format: E-Book, 368 pages
No comments:
Post a Comment