When Rosebud Thompson is picked up on the streets of San Antonio by members of a religious sect, she is not yet seventeen years old but already she seems to have hit bottom. The group calls itself Gethsemane and its charismatic leader, Seth, claims to have Rosebud’s best interests at heart, but the stockpile of arms and the aggressive and secretive behavior by some of the cult’s members remind her of David Koresh and his Branch Davidians. Rosebud quickly finds herself in conflict with Jasmine, Seth’s longtime companion, who worries that her spiritual leader may be grooming the new foundling as her replacement. Jasmine is mercurial and potentially dangerous, attributes to which Seth is oblivious. The young man, who inherited the property on which he established Gethsemane from his parents, is idealistic and innocent in many ways. Though it is his vision that inspires those who follow him, Jasmine is the real power behind the scenes of the communal farm compound. Life at Gethsemane Farms is a combination of religious bliss and terror. Rosebud’s indoctrination includes punishment by hunger and isolation as the leadership attempts to mold her to their ways. She willfully resists the structure Gethsemane tries to enforce on her life at first, but she slowly begins to come around to their way of thinking. Carmen Rodriguez, a nurse sent to verify Rosebud’s state of health, wonders if she is being brainwashed and takes it upon herself to become a thorn in Gethsemane’s side with her frequent visits. Though provided with several opportunities to escape or leave with the nurse, Rosebud always decides in favor of Gethsemane because, in spite of the hardships she faces at their hands, they seem to be truly paying attention to her. Her parents did not abuse her, they neglected her and it was their neglect that drove her away from them. A deliberately forgotten incident from her youth nags at her and causes an unusual aversion to the sight of blood, even in small quantities. Jasmine plays on this phobia to try to break Rosebud and ensure her position at Seth’s right hand isn’t usurped. Much more is going on behind the scenes than anyone suspects and the spiritual world and the mundane are bound for a collision with the potential to be as catastrophic as the assault on the Davidian compound. Washed in the Blood is local author Wanda Dionne’s first adult novel. Her previous works includes a children’s picture book and three young adult historical novels. This book straddles the line between young adult and grown-up fiction, and would probably best be enjoyed by older teenagers, who would identify with protagonist Rosebud and her rebellious attitudes. Seth, with his altruistic and idealistic vision, is the book’s least developed character. He wanders through the narrative guided only by his privileged vision without truly interacting with the other characters in a meaningful way. He spouts religious sayings and speaks in King James English, a creative choice on the author’s part that makes him come across as somewhat of a caricature. It’s hard to imagine that a teenager would be emotionally seduced by his stilted, formal manner; instead, one would expect her to ridicule his affectation. Web site and all contents © Copyright Bev Vincent 2023. All rights reserved. |
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