The Prophets
by Robert Jones Jr.
Will Be Critically Acclaimed in 2021 (10/4/2020)
This is a powerful novel that is sure to garner some awards in 2021. It is a fantastic debut from Jones, who follows the advice of Toni Morrison (as indicated in his acknowledgements) and wrote the book he wanted to read, but could not find. The story of true love in the midst of American slavery's horror could not have been told with more compassion. Include the magical realism that would have made Ms. Morrison proud and the enthralling characters throughout (Maggie the most compelling to me), and you have an impressive feat of literary historical fiction.
Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line
by Deepa Anappara
Tough and Creative (9/14/2020)
In a corrupt society where the poor are lumped in the with garbage surrounding them, a boy tries to channel detective skills he learned from TV to solve the random disappearances around him, aided by two school friends. Reading this novel was a delight from start to finish, and it was hard to put it down throughout. The setting and the characters jumped off the pages, making some of the gut wrenching scenes even more powerful. Mix in some humor and the infectious enthusiasm of youth, and you have a great story that I'll think about long after the last page.
The Paris Hours: A Novel
by Alex George
Fun Historical Fiction (8/24/2020)
I've always been a sucker for historical fiction, and I love Paris, so I was certain that I'd enjoy the stories of the four protagonists. However, I was surprised with what didn't please my palate: the celebrities who moved in and out of the novel throughout. It seemed a bit too contrived. The Paris Hours is beautifully written, and the ending was terrific and open-ended, but I think this novel would have been as good without Josephine Baker, Ernest Hemingway, and the lot.
Beirut Hellfire Society
by Rawi Hage
Dancing With Death (5/15/2019)
This is the first novel I have read by Rawi Hage, and I thought it was a well-written, thoughtful work. The cleansing element of fire and the largely disrespected work of the undertaker are examined in the violent world of Lebanon during their civil war. Hage's vision reads like mythology, with all of the requisite symbolism and allegory. It is an original work that reads at times like poetry and other times like a memoir, with all of the emotion and pain indicative of both art forms. Plot is more the passenger than the vehicle for this novel, and because of this, many readers may not embrace Hage's vision. However, if the reader gives in to the language and the experiences presented by the protagonist, Pavlov, this novel will yield a rewarding vision.
The Kinship of Secrets
by Eugenia Kim
Sentimental Journey (10/12/2018)
Leaving your home is always complicated and emotional, even when that home has become a dangerous or hostile place to live. That is the crux of The Kinship of Secrets, the new novel by Eugenia Kim. When it is time for a Korean daughter to rejoin her family in America in the 1960s, the reunion is not as seamless as everyone would like. Add the daughter that was brought to the U.S. in 1948 to the mix, and you have a recipe for dramatic tension. Kim does a great job of fleshing out all of the characters and giving us a great insight into their adaptation to America, their culture, and the emotions that guide them. This book is just as good as her previous novel, The Calligrapher's Daughter, and is well worth a read.
A Ladder to the Sky: A Novel
by John Boyne
Interview With the Bibliovampire's Victims (9/12/2018)
In a novel with more than a few similarities to The Talented Mr. Ripley, John Boyne creates the sociopathic Maurice Swift, a character who can truly be described as a literary vampire, or at least a bad novelist with dreams of artistic empire in his eyes. He literally feeds off the stories and successes of good writers (including an attempt at an aging Gore Vidal) to further his own ambitions. The stories of his conquests are both horrifying and eminently readable. Boyne once again has created an entertaining novel with some deep issues racing alongside the text, in this case writer's ownership and plagiarism. If you're a fan of his books, then this is a must. If you haven't read John Boyne's other works, this is good read for those looking for some wickedness in their fiction. Those who love books will cringe at a lot of these scenes!
Me, Myself and Them
by Dan Mooney
Love In The Time of Mental Illness (6/16/2018)
As I read this book, I thought of the 1962 film David & Lisa, which also dealt with love blossoming during mental illness. However, in Daniel Mooney's book, the main character (Denis Murphy) is the only one dealing with psychosis, in this case a multiple personality disorder that manifests into four separate 'housemates' who are bent on meddling in Denis' life. Mooney does an excellent job of slowly revealing the causes of Denis' mental maladies, and he takes great care in giving us a glimpse into the horrors that confront Denis every day and in every situation. My biggest criticism is the relatively quick transition from OCD scheduled existence to fawning loverboy with the reappearance of his ex-girlfriend, Rebecca. Someone with the extensive emotional issues that Denis possesses would have a much more difficult time transitioning into the unpredictable world of renewed love. Still, this was an entertaining read about a serious subject that is not easy to convey to the average reader. In my opinion, this is where Mr. Mooney excels and why this book is worthy of your reading time.
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