Heather’s Bookshelf: My Search For Air
Author: Jeanne K. Johnson
Released: 03/08/22
Genre: Historical Fiction
“I dared not breathe a word of my scheme to anyone, not even my confidantes, Miss Fanny and Aunt Odessa. Keeping myself busy with sanctioned ladylike activities was of utmost importance, as I did not want anyone to suspect I was up to some devilment. I wanted them to believe I had changed my ways and found beauty in dedicating my time to domesticity. I was a whirlwind. I sewed and embroidered until my fingers were raw. I dusted the church pews and rearranged the hymnals. I found time to visit every infirm person in the church congregation and baked three pies. The entire household looked frightened but kept quiet lest they awaken the former rabble-rousing Lilith.”
“My Search for Air” introduces Lilith Brown, a young woman growing up in the Victorian Era in Pennsylvania. Lilith is curious, strong-willed, and intelligent. Unfortunately, she is in a challenging era for women, with repressive parents, and misogynistic leaders of the community.
Lilith feels out of place and alone, especially after Gregory Wentworth (a successful businessman) sexually assaults her at a community party. Unable to confide in her parents, she instead seeks solace in Aunt Odessa and soon finds she is not alone in her plight.
Her Aunt and the town recluse, Miss Fanny, invest in Lilith and the town. They seek to investigate the poor working conditions of those in the coal mines. But when a series of events lead to a devastating loss, Lilith changes her path and seeks to teach others. Her position leads her to meet, Morgan, a man who treats her like an equal and not a possession. But does he have his secrets too? And will she ever be free of Wentworth and his evils?
Trigger Warning: violence, attempted sexual assault, sexual assault, adult language, sexism, prejudice
Overall, I enjoyed this story. Lilith is a powerful and likable protagonist. She’s head-strong, smart, and compassionate. Unfortunately, she lives in a time when your anatomy and birthright have much more to do with determining your future than any of your dreams, wishes, desires, or actions. The things that she and the other women around her endure are terribly sad, but how the other women in town and her own family treats each other is almost more depressing. The story is mostly told from Lilith’s POV and covers the span of her life- told as an autobiography of sorts. The author does a great job of keeping Lilith’s voice throughout the tale but also adapting it as she ages and gains new life experiences. I thought her relationship with her Aunt was the most well-developed and the one with her father the most complex. Both served to show different sides to Lilith while adding to prose and pushing the story forward. The author also did a great job *and clearly did a lot of homework) in keeping to the time period in all aspects of the story. The culture, language, toys, food, clothing…everything felt accurate to the time. Even though the book is set in the past, many of the themes and lessons found within are (unfortunately) pertinent to today as well. The villain in this story is a terrible and loathsome human being reminiscent of the way too many men being exposed as monsters. I liked that the author did not sugar coat his villainy or how he was able to do so many terrible things for so long. I also really liked the insinuation of the last line of the story. While Lilith was not perfect, she stood up for what she believed in told a powerful and important tale.
I read/listened to this story on two platforms: Audible and ebook. The audiobook was very well done. The pacing was excellent and the narrator did a great job in expressing Lilith’s determination and emotion while also providing unique voices to many of the ancillary characters in the tale.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A strong-willed female protagonist living in the Victorian Era, tells the story of her life- the trials, tribulations, and wins—-as well as her encounters with a truly terrible villain in a well paced tale.
Want to learn more about the author?
Check out my interview with Jeanne K. Johnson
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here or Audible
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