WHEN SHE WOKE by Hillary Jordan

Finished Sa 5/26/12

 WHEN SHE WOKE reworks Hawthorne's THE SCARLET LETTER and mixes in a dash of Margaret Attwood's THE HANDMAID'S TALE. Hannah Payne is convicted of second degree manslaughter for aborting her unborn child after having an affair with a famous evangelist. Instead of wearing a scarlet red letter like Hester Prynne, her entire body is indelibly colored red for a period of sixteen years! The first half of the novel documents Hannah's imprisonment, colorization, and her experiences in a half-way house, the 'Straight Path Center'. This section of the book worked the best, and the second half is kind of a Action-Adventure yarn about how Hannah and her new friend, Kayla leave the center, and try to escape and find freedom.
............... The writing is not on par with Nathaniel Hawthorne or Margaret Attwood, but it's an easy read, and examines some interesting views about Faith, Religion, and living in a Theocracy. WHEN SHE WOKE is the kind of book that goes well at the beach, or in an airport.
................ Hannah Payne Reverend Adian Dale Kayla Becca and Cole- Hannah's sister and brother in law- Cole is a member of "Fist of Jesus" "Fist of Jesus"- Militant Christians anti-Chromes "Novemberists"- Militant group that non-violently works for Pro-Choice-Organize a kind of 'Freedom Railroad' SOL-'Sanctity of Life'- legislation the criminalizes abortion Simone- Hannah's lesbian lover Straight Path Center- Half-way house for Chromes Reverend and Mrs. Henley- They run the house and Mrs. Henly runs the reverend-She's very cruel Stanton- Rich Gay? who sells Kayla and Hannah to 'Red Slavers'




................The author was inspired for this story by listening to a friend say that, "I think that all drugs should be legal and provided by the government. They just ought to turn you bright blue."