Inventing Victoria

In this poignant historical novel, Tonya Bolden explores post-Reconstruction America through the eyes of Essie, a young black woman in 1880s Savannah. Struggling between her humble beginnings and her aspirations, Essie's life changes dramatically when she meets the wealthy Dorcas Vashon, who offers her a chance for a fresh start. Embracing her new identity as Victoria, she gains access to high society in Washington, DC, but soon faces a critical decision about how much of herself she is willing to sacrifice to claim her dreams.