Book Blurb:
It's 1936. Allentown, PA. After being deserted by her mother, fourteen-year-old Jesse Mae Maundy lives with her abusive father.
Jesse dreams of running away to New York to become a Ziegfeld Follies Girl and lies about her age to get a job at a drugstore with her best friend Alice, so she can save enough money to escape her father.
She hears about a burlesque show at a nightclub in Easton, NJ and thinks this could be her ticket to eventually getting to New York. And as the abuse at home gets worse, she finally packs a small suitcase, and runs away.
Arriving at the nightclub, she becomes a stripper, and finds the mafia runs it.
Eventually she is sent by the mafia to Redding, PA to work in a brothel. After getting pregnant, she is beaten so badly she loses the baby.
Bleeding to death, she is rescued by Joe, another mafia capo, who takes her to a hospital to heal.
Pulled into the fringes of the mafia underworld, Jesse is a tragic, but eventually uplifting story of forbidden, but enduring love.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/HGZSY
Editorial Review:
The book "Jessie" by Barry G. Campbell is an emotional and profound story that explores
the life of a strong woman, marked by both internal and external struggles, yet who manages
to maintain her dignity and courage until the very end. This book is a tribute to women
around the world who have endured tragedies and abuses but emerged stronger.
From the very beginning, the author immerses us in a moment full of emotion and pain, as
Jessie's niece, who is also the narrator of the book, says goodbye to her aunt on her
deathbed. Jessie's final question : “After all I’ve done, do you think there will still be a place
for me in heaven?” It highlights the depth of her inner search and the sense of guilt that
haunts her, despite the life full of sacrifices she has led.
Narrated from the perspective of the niece who decides to write a book about Jessie's life,
the story unfolds as she uncovers painful truths about her aunt's past. Jessie had a difficult
childhood, marked by abuse and neglect from both her mother and father. Despite these
challenges, Jessie manages to maintain hope and build the best life she can. She works
from a young age to support herself, experiencing financial independence and a sense of
pride for the first time, even though she had to lie to get the job: “I was too young to get a
job, so I told a little white lie to Mr. Barnes”.
Jessie is portrayed as a courageous and determined woman who, despite the adversities,
manages to keep her spirit alive. Her dialogues and memories bring to life a difficult
historical period, but also moments of joy and personal triumph. A defining moment in the
story is described in the scene where, while working at an ice cream shop, Jessie interacts
with a boy she had a crush on.
The story continues with Jessie discovering a disturbing clue about her father's hidden
life—a business card from a burlesque club. This is not just a simple discovery, but a symbol
of her father's chaotic and corrupt life. “I stared at that card for the longest time, shook
myself out of a trance and stuffed the receipt and card in my apron pocket” is a quote that
emphasizes the psychological impact of the discovery on her and the moral dilemma she
faces. Jessie knows that whatever she does with that card will have negative consequences,
whether she throws it away or leaves it somewhere her father might find it.
Jessie's story is marked by a complex and abusive relationship with her father, a tyrannical
figure who controls and frightens her. Quotes such: “The drunkenness, the cruelty. Waiting
and praying he wouldn’t come to my bed.” reflects the constant fear and tension under which
Jessie lives. This fear pushes her to make an escape plan, a thought that constantly haunts
her.
Jessie dreams of a different life, far from her father's abuse. New York becomes a symbol of
hope but also of the unknown, while Easton represents the first step towards this escape.
Jessie finally finds the courage to break free from her oppressive life. Her efforts to save
money from her father's shoebox and plan her departure demonstrate her determination and
resourcefulness. The daily confrontations with her father, who expresses his anger and
frustrations through violence and control, are depicted with painful authenticity. Jessie's
decision to flee and her plans to start a new life at Pine Street Ale House reflect both a
desire for freedom and a fear of the unknown.
Her dream of becoming a burlesque dancer, inspired by the ideals and promises of freedom
from that world, is fueled by youthful naivety but also by an iron will. However, when she
finally arrives at the Ale House, reality proves to be much harsher than she imagined.
Instead of a glamorous, magical stage, Jessie encounters a dirty and empty bar, triggering a
crisis of self-confidence. This confrontation between fantasy and reality is a central point of
the narrative, highlighting Jessie's painful maturation. The book also captures the complexity
of human relationships in this hostile environment. Paulie, one of the male characters who
exerts oppressive power over Jessie, embodies the constant threat and dangers lurking
around every corner. The dialogues and interactions between Jessie and Paulie reflect an
unequal power dynamic, where Jessie is forced to navigate between her desire for freedom
and her fear of reprisals.
As the story progresses, Jessie is compelled to face increasingly difficult situations. The
tense relationship with Paulie and the unstable situation at the club culminate in a dramatic
incident where Jessie is forced to defend herself against Paulie's advances, leading to his
death. This scene is described with overwhelming emotional intensity, emphasizing the deep
trauma Jessie endures.
The growing tension is heightened by the police raid and the discovery of Ginger's death, a
colleague from the club. Jessie is trapped between the desire to escape from this dangerous
world and the feeling of helplessness, knowing she has nowhere to go. Paulie's death, which
Jessie causes in self-defense, marks a turning point in the story, throwing her into a spiral of
fear and guilt. Despite the violence and constant dangers, the book takes time to explore
Jessie's moments of introspection. She reflects on her past and expresses her desire to
escape, to find a safe place where she can rebuild her life.
Jessie pours her heart out in the pages of a journal, writing about her desires, regrets, and
fears. The space she occupies is described as "sad and lonely," a place that offers none of
the vitality she remembers. This description creates a somber atmosphere that reflects the
character's psychological state. Without music or dance, this place becomes a symbol of
disillusionment, and the rhetorical question “How many girls had lived in this room and used
this bed? And where were they now? Lost, like Ginger?” emphasizes the cyclical nature of
suffering and loss she experiences. Another important aspect of the book is Jessie's
confrontation with her own identity. As she writes about the challenges of life as a prostitute,
she struggles with the question, "Who am I?" This search for identity is complicated by the
trauma and abuse she has suffered, as well as her desire to see herself as a person of
intrinsic value. Her moral dilemma and struggle for self-acceptance are central themes that
add depth to the narrative.
Campbell's writing style is simple yet nuanced, effectively conveying the protagonist's deep
emotions. Jessie is an authentic voice, and her thoughts and fears are expressed with raw
honesty. Throughout the novel, Jessie's growth is remarkable. She evolves from a frightened
and confused young woman who feels abandoned by her family and society into someone
who begins to shape her identity and seeks a better life.
As the story progresses, historical events such as the attack on Pearl Harbor impact the
lives of the characters, bringing new challenges and changes. Jessie faces the war's effects
on her loved ones and on her own identity. Throughout the book, Jessie becomes a symbolic
figure of resilience and inner strength. After numerous dramatic events and personal losses,
including a painful separation from Joe, she manages to rebuild her life. The final chapters
focus on her reflection on her life, highlighting her complex emotions and achievements.
The novel "Jessie" by Barry G. Campbell is a captivating story of love, loss, and redemption,
perfectly blending personal details with the historical context. Campbell creates a complex
character whose journey exemplifies human strength and courage. This book offers a
profound perspective on life, making it essential for those interested in contemporary
literature. The conclusion underscores Jessie's resilience and her growth in a world filled
with dangers but also opportunities. Overall, "Jessie" is a meditation on survival and hope,
an emotional and powerful story about overcoming trauma and finding the courage to move
forward.
*****
“Jessie” by Barry G. Campbell receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
Comments