Reviewer: Andrea
I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The Summary:
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.
The Review:
Women’s suffrage. How much do you really know about a topic that was once so important to millions of women? I’ll admit it’s not a topic about which I often think, something I take for granted actually. In The Cure for Dreaming, Cat Winters not only gives the reader an education, but she also provides amazing, historical photos to accompany her lesson.
Olivia’s struggle to find her way in a man’s world was eye-opening and frightening. It’s bad enough to be an awkward, undervalued teenage girl, but add to that an overbearing father and the “gift” given to her by Henri, and it’s a burden I’m not sure many could bear. I loved watching her grow into her own mind as well as the blossoming relationship between Olivia and Henri. Her visions are frightening enough to be borderline horror novel, and the references to other important literary works of the time were great. I completely enjoyed this novel. The story was engaging, the pacing was quick, and the “extras” really increased my enjoyment of the novel.
I’m not certain how many of my students could really appreciate the historical period; however, isn’t that just another reason to read it?
