Description
Book SynopsisKathy is a virgin in her twenties trying to navigate the blurred lines between sex and love even as outside forces attempt to detach her from her sexual autonomy. At home, her adoptive mother’s eyes investigate her body for evidence of sexual promiscuity and, despite her protests, she is called a
putana—a whore—for her perceived sexual debauchery. At work, meanwhile, she is sexually harassed by male managers who slap her butt, tell her they want Greek for lunch (wink, wink), and fill out recommendation forms about her sexy qualities. A young girl on the cusp of womanhood, she encounters a version of herself as men experience her: hypersexualized and objectified.
As if this is not enough, Kathy enters the dating scene in search of love only to find herself fending off young men who want her just for sex. In each relationship, Kathy uncovers her own strength and conviction as she fights for the kind of sex she wants instead of the kind of empty sex boys seem to require of girls. The more demands they make, the more determined she is to hold out for love—even if it means losing a guy or going home single and alone. Raw and empowering,
The Virgin Chronicles sends the message that love is worth waiting for and sex is better when it’s paired with self-actualization.
Trade Review“This memoir is about love—its elusiveness, its tempers, its promise—and the journey to finding it in oneself and in another. Marina DelVecchio’s voice is honest, pragmatic, and powerful even when she feels weak. Her story reminds us that vulnerabilities can bring strength, mistakes can build confidence, and an absence can give us the incentive to find fulfillment. We know we’re in capable hands as DelVecchio tells a story that cries, that stings, that trudges, but never flinches, always endures, and eventually overcomes quite beautifully.”
—Shuly Xóchitl Cawood, author of
The Going and Goodbye “
The Virgin Chronicles by Marina DelVecchio is a beautifully wrought, heartbreaking, and redemptive story of a young woman’s struggle for control of her life, mind, and body. She claims her agency to define her choices about her sexuality while dealing with seemingly insurmountable challenges from an adoptive mother who neither trusts nor nurtures her. A riveting page-turner, rich with sensual detail, you’ll be rooting for the protagonist’s happiness and self-discovery.”
—Carla Sameth, author of
One Day on the Gold Line: A Memoir in Essays “In
The Virgin Chronicles, Marina DelVecchio delivers a searing study on self-possession. Routinely shamed by her distrustful adoptive mother, DelVecchio embarks on a rocky yet indefatigable journey to physical, sexual, and emotional liberation. With bracing wit and candor, through poignant prose, she reveals the beauty and pleasure found in independence, establishing boundaries, and connecting with one’s origins.”
—Anjali Enjeti, author of
Southbound and
The Parted Earth “Marina DelVecchio’s strong writing paints a portrait of a woman who overcomes the obstacles life has thrown in her path with grit and determination. Definitely an inspiring and thought-provoking read.”
—Pamela Stockwell, author of
A Boundless Place
