Is America becoming an intolerant society?
In her second novel, "When She Woke," Hillary Jordan says yes in a disturbing story that makes clear from the first page that Jordan will not shy away from religious or political controversy.
When Hannah Payne wakes up in a hospital bed and holds her hands up in front of her, she sees that they are as red as a stop sign. What crime brought this punishment? Hannah underwent an abortion and then refused to reveal the identity of her lover or her doctor.
Comparisons will arise with Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel "The Scarlet Letter," which also explored subject matter with many similarities. But Jordan is not simply updating a classic. She gradually reveals how Hannah got into her situation of being "chromed," at the same time revealing how American society could arrive at a place of theocracy and public punishment.
One might suspect that responses to this novel would depend entirely on the ideology of the reader. In an interview, Jordan argues against this notion: "I set out to write literature. And I think it's the job of literature to tackle the really big issues. … Very few people outside university political-science departments want to read a 341-page political tract, and I have zero interest in writing one."
"When She Woke" indeed grows into something more than a list of left-wing talking points. Hannah progresses from victim to survivor as she rebels against her pariah status without denying her own guilt. Her friendship with another "chromed" girl tempts her with the prospect of escaping America and regaining her freedom. As Hannah makes that run for freedom, the book becomes a suspense novel, one in which plot twists and surprises may shock the reader. At the same time, the author works carefully to nurture realistic characters who break the political mold. In the end, this is neither an anti-Christian nor a divisive work — but it remains one that will not please every reader.
As to Jordan, she continues to show strong potential as an author with a noteworthy taste for social commentary. In her first effort, "Mudbound," Jordan dealt with the evils of segregation, a relatively safe topic. In "When She Woke," she weaves a fascinating tale from the more controversial fare of abortion, theocracy and political extremism. The only safe prediction about this writer is that she will never be boring.
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