nd identity as a Black woman and becomes a nurse at a military hospital. When the war finally ends, Iola’s struggles continue. But she rises to meet the challenge, working hard to improve life not only for herself, but for all Black Americans. Originally released in 1892, Iola Leroy is one of the first novels by an African American woman published in the United States. “Clearly Harper’s words prove her awareness of the cultural and political functions of narrative. . . . Iola Leroy is a novel filled with the complexities and contradictions of black-and-female existence in America in the nineteenth century. While the success of the novel is indisputable in terms of copies sold, what is harder to measure is the extent to which it altered cultural and racial attitudes.” —The Women’s Review of Books3f:T4af,if it wasn’t for school, i would have never read this book.

it has a good, thought provoking story, but it takes a few passes and intense effort to grasp the full meaning of the words as most school assigned books require…

the period this book takes place in is so interesting. with puritans, the lingering remnants of the elizabethan era in the 1640s, hawthorne’s current 1850s society, and romantic vs gothic writing.

other than the occasional self reflection, character exploration chapter, the story is overall well managed. it’s logical.

towards around the 45%, i started to lose the story line. answers to my reading guide weren’t as clear as they were in the beginning. not even google could answer them. but no worries, after chapter 12 it started to pick up again.

hester is an absolute hero. she is badass. she is brave. she is strength. she may be depressed, but she takes the punishment in stride and though she may not like it, she carries on with her life. not many people can pick themselves back up like that.

this is one of the better school assigned books, but frankenstein still beats it.40:T41f,2.5

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