Bessie A Novel
Bessie A Novel by Linda Kass, published by She Writes Press on September 12, 2023, is a historical fiction work that explores the life of Bess Myerson, the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants in the Bronx. Set just after World War II, the narrative follows Bess as she competes in the Miss America pageant, where a $5,000 scholarship is at stake. The story captures the palpable tension and excitement of the event, particularly among the Jewish community, who see Bess as a symbol of hope and success.
This novel draws on biographical and historical sources to reimagine Bess Myerson’s early life, highlighting her transformation from a self-deprecating preteen to a celebrated figure in American culture. As she navigates the complexities of beauty and success in a world where intellectual achievement is paramount, Bessie delves into themes of identity and aspiration. Readers will find a tender exploration of a young woman’s quest for love and acceptance during a pivotal moment in history, as she strives to make her mark in a society that often measures worth by external appearances. With 240 pages, this edition offers a detailed look at a significant cultural narrative.
Official synopsis Publisher
Just days after the close of World War II, Bess Myerson, the daughter of poor Russian Jewish immigrants living in the Bronx, is competing in the Miss America pageant. At stake: a $5,000 scholarship. The tension and excitement in Atlantic City’s Warner Theatre are palpable, especially for traumatized Jews rooting for one of their own. So begins Bessie.
Drawing on biographical and historical sources, Bessie reimagines the early life of Bess Myerson, who, in 1945 at age twenty-one, remarkably rises to become one of the most famous women in America. This intimate fictional portrait reveals the transformation of the nearly six-foot-tall, self-deprecating yet talented preteen into an exemplar of beauty, a peripheral quality in her world, where success is measured by intellectual attainment. Yet it is the focus on her beauty, and the secular world of pageantry, that she must choose to escape her roots and fulfill her fierce desire to achieve and become someone for whom great things happen.
Bessie is a tender study of a bold young woman living at a precarious moment in our cultural history as she searches for love and acceptance, eager to make her mark on the world.
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