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James Cain

MILDRED

PIERCE

Author:      James Cain

Published: 1941

Genre:        Classic

Cover:        Paperback

Pages:        298

Review:

Mildred Pierce is the story of a woman who never gives up, who will stop at nothing to provide for herself, her daughters, and even her husbands, in a time when women were thought to belong at home.

 

Mildred Pierce, a 1930’s housewife, decides to rid herself of her unemployed, womanizing husband.  Herbert Pierce, once wealthy, sold his family owned land, and failed in business during the depression.

Mildred concentrates on supporting herself, and her young daughters, Veda and Ray.  She waitresses, serving in a diner, embarrassed that the job is beneath her Veda, a gifted singer.  However, as she is ambitious, clever, business savvy and not afraid to get her hands dirty, Mildred slowly builds herself into a successful business woman.

Veda, a self-centered, self-serving girl, knows how to manipulate her mother to get what she wants.  Mildred, determined to prove her love for and devotion to Veda, never holds Veda accountable, but makes continual excuses for her.  Veda knows no bounds, has no morals and is unencumbered by responsibility.  But Veda does have musical talent, a beautiful voice, and becomes an operatic success.

Mildred’s life changes when she enters into a relationship with Monty, a younger, once wealthy man.

 

Interesting novel of a determined, hard working woman undaunted by a male dominated business world, in which she easily maneuvered, yet was blinded by the schemes of those close to her, seeing only what she wished to see; worth reading.

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