http://carolbodensteiner.com/the-persecution-of-mildred-dunlap-historical-fiction-relevant-to-today/
The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap – Historical fiction relevant to today
As a reader and now writer of historical fiction, I’m always interested when an author tells a story that not only realistically captures an interesting place and time but also carries a story with themes so relevant to today. Paulette Mahurin does both in The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap.
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Full review also posted to Amazon:
I’m always interested when an author tells a story that not only realistically captures an interesting place and time but also carries a story with themes so relevant to today. Paulette Mahurin does both in The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap.
Set in the 1880s, The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap tells the story of a lesbian couple living on a Nevada ranch when Britain changes its laws to make homosexual sex a criminal act. The news of Oscar Wilde`s imprisonment burns up the telegraph wires and throws the Nevada town into turmoil.
Though they’ve lived their lives quietly and carefully, Mildred Dunlap and her partner fear the news will focus attention, suspicion and perhaps worse on them. They take extensive measures to appear “normal,” including Mildred’s plan to show interest in a widower who, she is certain, will not be interested in her. A viper-tongued town gossip makes everyone else’s business her business, goading others to interfere with consequences that are tragic, but not for those she hoped to bring down. The couple finds friendship and support from unexpected sources.
Mahurin tells a story of hatred and prejudice that shows how love and friendship can heal. The end is surprising and a trifle troubling. Without giving anything away (I hope), we find that even the people who have been most open minded throughout the novel can have their own prejudices and are willing to act on them. Perhaps like all of us?
Mahurin adds quotes from Oscar Wilde throughout the book, which adds an interesting and unexpected commentary on the action.
I found the characters will drawn, the story well conceived and executed, and the result thought provoking. Well worth the read.
The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap 
I think that is why I love Alexander McCall Smith and his Lady Detective Agency novels. You feel,her Botwsana and her culture and you know her heart. I will add this book to my reading list. Thank you.
Thank you! I haven’t read him, will definitely check into it, especially coming from you. You write so inspirational and lovely poetry and posts.
Just looked up Alexander McCall Smith. Thank you! What an interesting background he has and the Lady Detective Agency novels sound like they’d be a great read. Another thank you! 🙂
As a fan of historical fiction (also have one on the way) I’d like to have a copy of this book. The reviews so far sound sincere. Congrats, my dear friend. Your book is a huge success.
Thank you. I just went to your site to try to see where you live. Not sure but if it’s in any part of the world where you can’t easily get a copy, I am happy to gift you the pdf, if you’d like to read it. The reviews are all authentic. There are many on Amazon from readers: (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=The+persecution+of+mildred+Dunlap ) as well as other review sites that authors do not have access to, to enhance authenticity.
The book has been featured in large scale press and national magazines, here in the U.S. for its pro-human rights theme and storyline of tolerance, anti-bullying. I have your e-mail from the comment here and will e-mail you.
Thank you again!
Paulette