The Artichoke Queen

Very few know of the important role women played in the early years of car racing. THE ARTICHOKE QUEEN tells the story of Prudence, a young and beautiful hearing impaired woman in the 1950’s. Leaving a troubled home life behind for California, she is thrust into the school of hard knocks, but finds herself drawn to the local car racing scene. Her success there launches her into the regional spotlight, where she becomes a reluctant celebrity and beauty queen, and a dizzying career and romantic relationship ensue. Shimmering and evocative, tender but tough, this novel is a picture of bygone Americana, back when sex was unsafe and car racing was dangerous, and captures a groundbreaking woman’s struggle for identity, love, and ultimately, redemption.