Book Blurb:
"The Viola Factor" takes place at a time when the country faced division and growth after the American Civil War. Viola Knapp Ruffner struggled with what was just and fair, becoming a little-known confidant for a young black scholar from Virginia. But Viola was much more than a teacher; she was a mother, wife, game-changer, and friend. With her mother's dying wish, a young woman alone, she left her New England roots. This is a story of trauma and love in the South while battling for justice and the rightful education of the enslaved and once enslaved. African American leader Booker T. Washington called her his friend and model for life.
The journey of life is done in baby steps, tentatively stumbling, until a galloping stride is achieved. Viola Knapp wears different shoes on different days. Heavy, mud-trekking boots to allow for aggressive steps, and daintier shoes for more rhythmic and assertive ones. She was a diligent daughter, an outspoken protector, and a progressive teacher.
Like many women in her situation, alone at seventeen, Viola must realize her own principles to fulfill her future goals. With every stride, Viola Knapp Ruffner marches around surprises, over potholes, and dodges folly after folly on her journey to be fulfilled. After ambling in one direction, plodding along in another, and wandering to find herself, a sudden halt pushes her forward until a factor of fate places her in the path of a newly freed slave with a desire to read and penchant to lead. After years of post-traumatic stress and mental uncoupling, she finds herself a woman who followed her mother's dying wish to fight for what is fair and just.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/7M3l
Author Bio:
Sheridan Brown holds advanced degrees in school leadership and is a certified teacher, principal, and educational leader. Having minored in music in college, the arts have always been a central force in her life.
Ms. Brown was born in Tennessee and raised in small towns of southwest Virginia. She practiced her profession in Virginia, Massachusetts, and Florida. Upon retirement she began volunteering, painting, writing, researching, and traveling with her husband, attorney John Crawford. She has one son, Tony Hume. She is GiGi to Aiden and Lucy. She has returned to the Blue Ridge to live and explore.”
Contact the author for person and virtual book talks and conversations. Facebook and Instagram
Editorial Review:
“A friendship forged across incredible odds.”
Viola Knapp Ruffner surveyed the bright spring landscape and shielded her eyes from the early morning sun. Her silvery golden hair gleamed just like the moonlight on the Kanawha River last night. The braided ripples were held under a snood that matched the deep purple of her high-necked, full-skirted morning dress. She rose slowly and rubbed her hands against the striped apron pinned to her bodice. The early lettuce and spring peas were rapidly taking up the allotted garden spots. “I love the solitude and the peace I find in my gardens,” she thought as she capped a withering rose, “and I enjoy being in the open air where I have used my own hands to raise new life.
From the very first lines, we are taken back to spring of 1867, in the garden with Viola in Malden, West Virigina. From the strong opening lines, we are intrigued and drawn into Viola’s story, wanting to learn more. This stunning introduction sets the tone for a story that is both intricate and deep. The first paragraphs serve as a terrific hook, bringing readers into Viola's world with detailed descriptions and fascinating indications about her future struggles.
Sheridan Brown's "The Viola Factor" emerges as a moving story set against the volatile backdrop of post-Civil War America. The novel's protagonist, Viola Knapp Ruffner, delves deeply into the dual themes of racial tensions and personal growth. The novel follows Viola's journey from a New England girl to a formidable force in the South, dedicated to the education and empowerment of previously enslaved people. This captivating voyage not only entertains but also teaches, immersing readers in a realistic account of a watershed moment in American history.
Characterization in "The Viola Factor" is rich and multidimensional. Viola is portrayed not only as a historical character, but also as a living, breathing person dealing with real-life difficulties. She is so relatable and through Viola, we are also better able to understand the history of this period, and also what it was like for a woman in her status and position during this time in American history.
We all stood frozen over the huge hole now reserved for our Mother. It seems like Thanksgiving was all but forgotten this year, just taking place for everyone else three days earlier when Mother had been dying. Oh, how she wished they had been able to enjoy the smells and sounds of Thanksgiving together as a family one last time. She wanted to taste the textures from Mother’s pumpkin custard, smell the aromas from breads and pies her grandmothers baked, and wonder over Elvira’s creative and newly concocted cranberry cornbread. Father even carved wooden turkeys with movable legs for the little children to play with in front of the fireplace.
Through Viola, we see what the world was like, and pieces of the story are told through her thoughts and memories over the passage of time. We also learn so much about Viola as a person through the storytelling and her own thoughts and memories.
Her transformation from a fragile young woman to a robust and wise individual is captivating and genuine. It’s inspirational to read her story and see how she grows. Secondary characters, such as the young scholar Booker T. Washington, are also given adequate depth and context, resulting in a rich tapestry of personalities that contribute considerably to the tale.
The story arc of "The Viola Factor" is well-constructed, with a consistent buildup of suspense and resolution that corresponds to the growth of its key characters. The plot progresses through many stages of conflict and resolution, culminating in a finale that is both predictable and unexpected.
Dialogue is done well, in a way that’s easy to understand and adds to the flow of the conversation and topic at hand. The conversations characters have in the book help us to dive deeper into the story, understand the characters better, and also see the bigger picture of what is taking place. These characters, and of course, our main character, are what make this story unique.
"The Viola Factor" stands noteworthy because it focuses on a lesser-known historical character, providing a new viewpoint on a familiar period. Brown's ability to weave historical facts into captivating fiction adds a new depth to the historical novel genre. The emphasis on education and justice from the perspective of a female protagonist in the nineteenth-century South is both enlightening and motivating.
Viola did not have any desire to return home to Arlington permanently. She couldn’t wait to teach eager learners and her sense of adventure was boiling over as she longed for brave, new encounters. She pondered where her teaching degree might lead her next and how she could finish repaying Mr. Waters, as well as continue sending money home to Father and the children.
The work has superb continuity, with each incident and character progression deftly woven into the larger fabric of the tale. Flashbacks are used well to add background, allowing the reader to better comprehend the characters' motivations while not breaking the narrative flow. This is not exceptionally well throughout the story, so there is never any confusion about what timeline we are in while reading.
Sheridan Brown demonstrates exceptional writing talents throughout the story. Her art is lyrical and approachable, having a rhythmic character that reflects both Viola's internal and external experiences. The discussions are authentic and period-appropriate, contributing to the book's historical mood while maintaining its contemporary accessibility.
The book has been properly edited, and the layout is straightforward and professional, making for a delightful reading experience. Paragraphs are well-structured, and chapters are rationally ordered, which improves the overall flow of the narrative. The text is free of grammatical errors, which reflects the publisher's high editorial standards.
The conclusion of "The Viola Factor" is both tragic and rewarding. Without giving away spoilers, the conclusion is thought-provoking and has a lasting influence on the reader. It successfully concludes the story arcs while providing room for reflection on the characters' future lives.
*****
“The Viola Factor” by Sheridan Brown receives five stars and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company
Award:
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