Summary:
"Tar and Feathers" by Victor Rubin is a historical romance novel written in the early 20th century. The book addresses themes of racial and religious intolerance in post-World War I America, exploring the complexities of identity and prejudice through the experiences of its main character, Robert Hamilton. As he grapples with his beliefs against a backdrop of the Ku Klux Klan's activities, the narrative delves into the challenges of overcoming ingrained biases. The opening of the novel sets the scene on November 11, 1918, capturing the chaos and exuberance in Paris following the signing of the armistice. Robert Hamilton, a wounded American soldier, wakes up in a hospital to find out that he was rescued by a black soldier and a Jewish doctor, very much against the societal views of his Southern upbringing. As he navigates his recovery, Hamilton is confronted with his own deep-seated prejudices, particularly in his reactions to his saviors and the compassion shown by the nurse, Dorothy Meadows. Their interactions lead to a complicated emotional journey for Hamilton, steeped in struggle between societal expectations and personal growth, which promises to evolve as the story unfolds. (This is an automatically generated summary.)