(The Vance Legacy begins in 1832 and Lillian is a slave. She is unable to read or write at this time. However, her diary is based on what she would have written if she had a diary and was able to read and write.) Friday, March 9, 1832 I can sometimes still hear my Mama saying, “Lillian, never let them see you cry. Some of them is so evil that they take pleasure in our hurt and weakness.” Even as a child, I took that advice to heart and learned to hide my feelings. I was proud

Heinous/Villainous Women in Literature I recently finished reading the first two books of the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. I was struck by Julia Valerian, who I originally thought was one of the vilest female characters I had ever encountered. However, the more I thought about it, more characters came to mind and I couldn’t help but compare them to each other. My sister reminded me of Cathy Ames, the villain in John Steinbeck’s East of Eden. I read this book mo