Book Tour & GIVEAWAY: ‘The Virgin Cure’ by Amy McKay

The Virgin Cure

by Amy McKay

Harper

Pub. Date:   June 26, 2012

Book received from: Publisher via TLC Book Tours

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Genre:  Adult Historical Fiction

Cover:  Perfect- captures the feel of the story, as well as a specific importance within

Characters:  Perfectly penned and voiced

Worth the read?  Absolutely- do not miss this one

Favorite quote:

“Sometimes, for a moment, everything is just as you need it to be.  The memories of such moments live in the heart, waiting for the time you need to think of them, if only to remind yourself that for a short while, everything had been fine, and might be so again. ”

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The Virgin Cure tells the story of 12-year-old Moth, a girl struggling to find her way within and out of the tenements of Lower Manhattan in 1871.  After her father leaves her, her mother sells her to a woman as a maid, and she struggles for her own survival in the midst of a city that ignored the problems of the orphans living on the streets, Moth finds ways to navigate the dangers present in her life.  She soon becomes enchanted with the lives of the high-class whores, and finds herself in the keep of a madam who specializes in negotiating the virginity of those in her care.  Moth must decide if the price is worth her giving part of herself up, or if the consequences are too steep, as the life that can be offered to her is more enticing than ever.

Moth’s story is told from her perspective, as a journal account, of sorts, with notes interspersed throughout by Dr. Sadie, a woman doctor who took special interest in Moth, while struggling in her own position in life.  Newspaper articles and other snippets of the times also add to the depth and historical significance of the book.  However, after reading the notes from the author in the end, and learning that Dr. Sadie was a real woman, it increased the impact of a story that already left room for little more.

McKay is able to draw the reader into the gritty, dirty world of New York (and many other cities at the time) in the late 19^th century, while delivering a character that conveyed the vulnerability underneath it all.  Children like moth lived a life that was far beyond their years, and faced realities that never should have been- realizing that innocence was one of the greatest commodities.  The world that is created is sure to remind one of that of Dickens’ Oliver Twist, and delivers the story with the same honesty of the situations at hand.  What stands out is the focus on women’s issues and sexuality, and McKay does not hold back to spare the reader.

The Virgin Cure is a beautifully lyrical read that manages to capture the harshness and the vulnerability of the time.  The voice of Moth immediately draws the reader into her world, and does not let go even after the story if finished and the book is closed.  After reading this, there is no way you will be unchanged.  Even the smallest of achievements Moth makes, will have you holding on to the same hope that she is trying to maintain.  There is nothing within the pages that will allow one to ignore the story being told- it grabs you and holds you down until you feel what she feels.  It is a true accomplishment and a wonderful addition to historical fiction, as well as the story of the struggles women have faced to get even this far.

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Harper has generously offered a copy of ‘The Virgin Cure’ for one lucky reader.  To be entered, simply comment below & tell me what appeals to you about this book, with your e-mail address in the comment.   

Must be at least 17-years-old and live in the US/CAN.  I will pick a winner by random July 30, 2012.

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Check out the entire blog tour calendar.

‘The Virgin Cure can be purchased at Amazon.com, as well as your local independent bookseller.

For more about Amy McKay, go to her website here.