It is an honor to be asked to write a Georgia Writers Museum review for Carolyn Curry’s new novel, Trudy’s Awakening. Like me, she is a big fan of women’s history and discovering the stories of incredible women that have been lost to time.
Trudy’s Awakening is reminiscent of Gone with the Wind, but with characters who were real people. The physical, emotional, financial, and cultural devastation of the South during the American Civil War becomes even more real to the reader as they see it through the eyes of those who experienced it firsthand.
The story also reminded me of the recent Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, James, by Percival Everett, in that it unabashedly explores the heinous practice of slavery from the point of view of people who lived through it.
The author uses three points of view to shed light on the daily life and challenges of women of Georgia in the mid- to late-19th Century. Lizzie is a struggling artist, saddled with supporting her mother, sister, and nephew after the sudden death of her father. She is consigned to painting a portrait of Ella Gertrude Clanton Thomas, in the midst of fighting for women’s rights as well as her own demons, and through this relationship, the author cleverly peels back the layers of both their stories.
The third point of view is of former slave Amanda. Though comparatively well-treated by her master, Amanda longs for freedom to lead her own life.
When that freedom comes, though, it brings with it a cavalcade of obstacles to overcome.
The three women’s stories braid together to a satisfying conclusion.
This fast-moving and scholarly story delights, entertains, and informs. The literary world is richer for the discovery of the hidden characters of our past, who so strongly influenced our present and future.
Carolyn Curry will be the Meet the Author presenter at Georgia Writers Museum on Oct. 7, with doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. program start.
Tickets are $40 or $35 each for two or more and include a gourmet- themed meal prepared by Chef Brent.
Curry will have a book signing following her presentation. Contact Georgia Writers Museum (georgiawritersmuseum. org) to register.
Tracey Enerson Wood is the best-selling author of Katharine, the Wright Sister, The President’s Wife, The War Nurse, and The Engineer’s Wife.
— Contributed by Tracey Enerson Wood