Phyllis

• Rated 4 stars

“Nalo Hopkinson's The Salt Roads centers on the spirit, Ezili's (a goddess of love and seduction) emergence in three women throughout time. The reader gets a glimpse of her in Mer, a lesbian slave woman healer, in the early 1800's on the Caribbean island of St. Domingue (Haiti) during a burial of a stillborn child. The second appearance is in the 1880's within Jeanne, a mulatto Parisian dancer and mistress to a white poet whose purse strings are controlled by his domineering mother. The third woman, Meritet, is a prostitute in an ancient (340's A.D.) Egyptian brothel.
Although these women exist during different time periods, Ezili seems to emerge, exist, and influence each woman simultaneously. With Jeanne, she appears in dreams, and wants to live, act, and breathe through her until Jeanne is physically scarred and disabled from the ravages of a sexually transmitted disease. Mer receives her awakening during a riverside burial ceremony of a stillborn child and Meritet has an instance of self-awareness that allows her to experience the independence of Ezili.

Aside from the Ezili storyline, each main character has her fair share of drama, heartbreak, and intrigue. Each are a victim of circumstance; in worlds that were cruel to the black woman. Mer deals with the harsh reality of plantation life and the impending slave revolt that secured Haiti its freedom from colonial rule. The author expertly embeds regional history and folklore into Mer's story. An aging Jeanne struggles with securing her future as a courtesan in a world in which her skin color places her at a disadvantage and Meritet journeys from whoredom to sainthood.

This book is full of symbolism (the incorporation of the value, taste, and healing power of salt, etc. throughout the novel is superb). It also has a mystical and esoteric feel to it; the stories are heart wrenching and the characters are memorable. The author embellished a bit at times with the transcendental themes causing lapses that were very vague and abstract; however for those who enjoy heavy, lyrical prose and surreal themes, it is worth picking up. Overall, it is a wonderfully imagined story that dabbles with the supernatural and issues of self-worth, survival, and redemption.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub, The Nubian Circle Book Club”

Phyllis wrote this review Wednesday, October 7 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“Victor Lavalle's The Ecstatic left me feeling ambivalent. I found the novel to be well written, original, and crafty; but at times I also felt lost and confused. Perhaps the latter is intentional since the story is narrated by Anthony Jones, an obese schizophrenic, who lives with his equally schizophrenic relatives. Anthony is rapidly deteriorating and although he seems relatively in control at the beginning of the novel, it is quite clear that he has lost all of his mental faculties at the end.

The book is divided into three sections. In "The Whale" segment, Lavelle opens with Anthony's younger sister, mother, and grandmother rescuing him from Cornell University. He has not attended classes in a couple of years, is living in squalor, and has supported himself with menial jobs. He returns home to live in the basement and reacquaint himself with the old neighborhood. It is in this section that we learn about Anthony's atrocious eating habits, his mother's mental disorder, and his family's relationship with the neighbors. He tries to reinsert himself into society by losing weight, dating, and getting a job. Sadly, he is exploited by his employers and neighborhood thugs, fails at weight loss, and is jilted by his love interest. In the "Miss Innocence" segment, a family road trip to the sister's beauty pageant goes awry, largely due to Anthony's worsening condition. They meet a few questionable characters along the way that seem equally insane as the Jones clan. The last segment, "The Hounds" is Anthony's final descent into dementia where he becomes a danger to himself and others. He is literally trapped physically in his neighborhood by the patrolling dogs and mentally in his weakened mind.

At most, The Ecstatic is entertaining. As mentioned earlier, Lavalle lost me on a few twists and turns, but I continued reading to see how it would end. I think the pacing of the story was solid, but character development was somewhat lacking. Anthony's character was the most developed and that is putting it mildly; the other characters were lightly sketched and void of any real definition. There were plenty of dark comedic episodes sprinkled throughout that caused me to laugh aloud, but more importantly, I felt pity for the central character as he surrendered to his illness. I would not recommend this novel to everyone, only those who are curious and courageous enough to venture down a dark and disheartening literary side street.

Phyllis
APOOO BookClub, The Nubian Circle Book Club ”

Phyllis wrote this review Sunday, September 6 2009. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“Sag Harbor, Colson Whitehead's last novel, is a delightful romp down memory lane; specifically, his adolescent summers at Sag Harbor, NY -- a beachfront retreat from the city where his brother and he broke out of their "Cosby Kid" existence for a few carefree months. On the surface, it is a reflection of the coming-of-age awkwardness and dilemmas that come with a boy's life: dating/girls, clothing, fitting in, parties (particularly getting into them), and establishing his own identity amid the pursuit of "coolness." Benji, the protagonist, and his brother, Reggie, were left at the beach home virtually all summer where for the most part, they fended for themselves; surprisingly there was minimal adult supervision. Their guardian angels were working overtime because despite the obvious recipe for disaster there were only a few close calls (one involving a BB gun) and no major calamities. Being close in age to the author, I reminisced and enjoyed the 1980's pop culture flashbacks in his references to music, language, television shows, clothing fashion, etc. I also enjoyed that he delved into deeper themes on race, class, and identity, providing interesting and sometimes painful perspectives as one of the few Blacks in his private school, encounters with an abusive, angry father, and a seemingly submissive, non-confrontational mother. These extremely personal, often funny, and thoughtful episodes no doubt shape the man he eventually becomes.

While well-written and wonderfully rendered, my rating is 3.5 because there were some rambling passages in a book that ends as abruptly as it starts; perhaps this is only "Volume 1" with more to follow? Recommended for the author's fans and those interested in another perspective of the African-American experience.”

Phyllis wrote this review Sunday, June 21 2009. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“Kwei Quartay's debut is an entertaining debut that not only focuses on Darko Dawson, the family man and the detective, but immerses the reader in Ghanaian culture and traditions, and introduces a cast of lively characters. The novel opens with the murder of a young AIDS prevention worker in the same remote region Darko's mother disappeared 25 years earlier while visiting her sister. He is assigned to support the local police because he speaks Ewe and dives into the case with a practiced, methodical approach despite objections from the local officials who suspect a young admirer of the victim (and town troublemaker) as the culprit. Darko initially treads carefully as he navigates between modern and traditional worlds; reverence for the tribal priests and practice of trokosi challenges his "progressive" thinking where women are viewed and treated equally to men and his non-belief in witchcraft and sorcery.

Darko is an exceptionally likeable character in that he is not the "perfect" detective; his love of marijuana mars his innocence along with repressed feelings of guilt and loss surrounding his brother's life-altering, childhood accident and his mother's unsolved disappearance. He also has a strained relationship with his father and mother-in-law, for good reasons; but loves his wife and son unconditionally. He is unbelievably human; he makes mistakes along the way, falls to anger which clouds his judgment, and at times, he prematurely jumps to the wrong conclusions at a cost. The other characters via their actions, environmental settings/way of life, and mindset provide the reader with a view into Ghanaian culture, sociology, social services (health care system, law enforcement, etc), which for me, was very enlightening.

The writing style works with the story -- it is simplistic, somewhat imperfect, but yet effective -- just like Dawson. I think most readers can and will figure out "whodunit" long before it is revealed, but it will not detract from the story. I am happy to see the author is planning another novel as I would definitely love to read it.
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Phyllis wrote this review Sunday, June 21 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“
The wild, wild West lives again in the pages of The Color of Lightning, Paulette Jiles's biography of Britt Johnson, a recently freed slave who relocates to Texas seeking a better life for his family. Unfortunately, he settles adjacent to hostile territories in a time rife with disgruntled and non-trusting Native Americans. During an extended job-related run, his homestead is attacked by the local tribes. His oldest son is murdered and his and his neighbor's wife and remaining children are ravaged and kidnapped. The novel focuses on Britt's painstaking months-long journey to reclaim his family and friends often at risk to his own life. What the captured women and children endured was easy to imagine as Jiles does a good job painting those scenes. She also builds empathy in the aftermath of the rescue when relaying Britt's recurring struggles with his wife's long-suffering psychological scars. This novel also chronicles the era's slanted societal views and unlawful U.S. policies toward Native and African Americans.

Jiles's rendering of the tale is solidly "literary;" a bit heavy on dialogue and descriptions that at times slow the plot. However, I think history and cultural buffs will relish the details that define the mindsets of the Plains Indians and government officials involved in the raids, (broken) peace treaties, and (failed) land grant negotiations. She also captures the viewpoints of the unfortunate souls caught between the squabbles and strife; those who often fell victim to too many "misunderstandings" or "misinterpretations." Upon completion of the book, I performed cursory research of my own and from what I read, her depictions seem to be historically accurate. Prior to reading her novel, I knew nothing of Britt Johnson so I commend her for spotlighting a slice of American (Texas, Native American, and African American) history -- I was educated and entertained.
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Phyllis wrote this review Friday, April 10 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“Author J. California Cooper takes us to Wideland, Oklahoma to chronicle the lives, loves, and losses of two families in her latest offering entitled, Life Is Short But Wide. A 91 year-old narrates the story and immediately espouses Cooper's signature edicts of loving life, yourself, one another, and God. The "do right," work hard, save money, importance of education, etc. lessons are also overtly and repeatedly layered in the stories of Val and Irene, Joseph and Bertha, and their children. Their courtships and hardships are fodder for the take-away lessons of living life to the fullest and appreciating who and what one has in life.

Those familiar with Cooper's earlier work might experience deja vu with this new release. The characters evoke familiar auras of protagonists past; even their actions and reactions to physical, financial, and social challenges were evidenced in similar backgrounds and scenarios in The Wake of the Wind, In Search of Satisfaction, and Family. The reading experience is further diluted with some elongated passages and a tad too much repetition for this reader's liking. Of course, this will not deter die-hard fans of the author who will want to purchase the novel to complete their collection. However, newcomers might want to consider this literary legend's earlier works to experience her trademark bits of heart-warming anecdotes, down-to-earth wisdom, and folksy advice.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub
March 31, 2009
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Phyllis wrote this review Tuesday, March 31 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“Lexi Davis's sophomoric offering, The After Wife, centers on Nia Youngblood, a gorgeous 24 year-old attorney who has a long-suffering itch that seemingly can not be scratched. She is a virgin plagued by ever increasing steamy, erotic nightly dreams in search of Mr. Right to fulfill her fantasies.

Unbeknownst to her, an otherworldly, demonic force wants her to himself to fulfill a prophecy by her twenty-fifth birthday and works overtime to terrorize her suitors whenever intimate acts are initiated. Deserted by her Wiccan mother at infancy and raised by an alcoholic, failed minister of a father, Nia knows both she and her life are far from normal; but does not know who to talk to, why things happen, or how to counteract the weirdness. She knows, too well, that throughout her adult life strange things happen when intimacy is imminent. None of her beaus, except one, have had the staying power to weather destructive earthquakes, searing fires, and bone-rattling thunderbolts that seem to only target them. Enter the dashingly handsome David Wrightwood, a wholesome, church-going, fellow attorney with a heart of gold and eyes only for Nia. They are instantly attracted to each other and it does not take long for things to heat up -- literally. The plot is propelled by burning (no pun intended) questions: Why is Nia pursued by this being? Why must he marry her? What is the source of Nia's unique flame-retardant skin and constantly elevated body temperature? Will she and David make it as a couple?

Davis mirrors her debut, Pretty Evil, in that she buoys the plot with a touch of the supernatural/paranormal. If readers can entertain the speculative aspects, they will find well-paced action sequences, interesting characters with their own agendas and secrets, and likable, beautiful protagonists. I think those who enjoyed her debut, will find satisfaction with this novel. It is a quick, light read perfect for Spring Break and the Summertime beach bag.”

Phyllis wrote this review Tuesday, March 24 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“J.D. Mason's latest novel, That Devil's No Friend of Mine, opens at the funeral of Bishop Fountain, a man who was a loving husband, doting father, an idolized mentor, and a good friend to a cast of characters who must deal with his unexpected absence in their lives. Set in modern day suburban Washington, DC, the plot has a "six degrees of separation" undertow in that Bishop's death links and affects the key characters differently with both positive and negative results. Each have their issues, burdens to bear, and more than one is harboring secrets and running from demons.

Bishop's sheltered daughter, Kristine, a 29 year old "good girl" and victim of an overbearing father, exhales at his funeral and claims her wardrobe, her sexuality, and her life as her own. She gets hands-on with her handyman, Tauris; but he has got a "love jones" that just will not die for the beautiful songstress Rayne, a recovering heroin addict, who treats him like a boy toy. Rayne's world is turned upside down by the sudden reappearance of her supplier. Her resolve is challenged without Bishop's stern presence to bolster her. Bishop's cousin, Cole, a handsome world-renowned prize-fighter, is up against the ropes with his wife, Nora, a super model with a fetish that threatens their marriage and careers. Lamar, Bishop's business partner, also faces marital challenges when his suppressed desires surface with disastrous results.

This is a contemporary fiction novel with a touch of daytime soap opera flair; meaning that although the cast is outwardly beautiful, in perfect physical shape, and unbelievably desirable, they are far from perfect. The flawed characters grapple with their vacillating feelings, selfish needs, and teetering emotions generating the much needed drama to propel the plot. Surprisingly, the story actually conveys clear, concise messages and lessons on honesty, love, and devotion despite the characters' differing views on "love" -- from genuine to psychotic. Sadly, I thought the outcome of each sub-plot scenario yielded predictable and uneventful conclusions. I was left with a few minor questions -- but for this genre, I reminded myself to just take the story for what it is and not think too hard about the minor disconnects -- thus the Amazon "4" rating because I liked the story well enough. Recommended for fans of the author and those who want a light, quick read -- a perfect novel for Spring Break or Summer Vacation.

Reviewed by Phyllis
APOOO BookClub
March 20, 2009
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Phyllis wrote this review Friday, March 20 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“Richard North Patterson's Eclipse is marketed as a legal thriller that follows Boston-born attorney Damon Pierce to Africa to defend an old crush, Marissa, and her African husband against bogus charges planted by an evil, terrorist regime fueled by an American oil-company.

The novel excels in demonstrating the destruction, politics, and corruption that thrives in the "dirty" oil business, in fact at times this aspect is a bit repetitive. Character development drags a bit when describing Damon and Marissa's history and attraction to each other. While the author uses lots of dialog to flesh them out, I still thought Marissa and her husband, Bobby, were stock characters with Marissa's unresolved childhood and identity issues haunting her well into adulthood shading her a bit as as a "tragic mulatto" and Bobby as a young Mandela-inspired African idealist. These two were so ill-matched against the sadistic henchmen of the regime that it was no surprise when they were framed for mass murder (of an entire village) and sedition. It was also no surprise that Damon seemed born and primed for this opportunity to save them -- staving off a mid-life crisis and recent divorce and bolstered by a strong, successful background in international litigation, he was perfect for the job.

The real crux of the story is the spotlight the author places on the global impact that the energy sector has as its minions exploit the poor, devastate the environment, and feed the greedy. Another plus is the legal wrangling and courtroom drama scenes as Damon wrestles with international law and politics, big business, and a tight deadline; thus patient and persistent readers are eventually rewarded although I did not find the novel (as a whole) nearly as "thrilling" or "spellbinding" as the back cover implies.

Reviewed by Phyllis
February 25, 2009
APOOO BookClub”

Phyllis wrote this review Wednesday, February 25 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“Bitter Sweets is an ambitious tale of a family's secrets and lies spanning three generations and two continents. The die is cast when a woman schemes her way into a prized marriage. This deceptive quality permeates the brood for the next twenty years or so where the "reap what you sow" lesson eventually manifests itself in her life as well as her children's.

The novel is a quick read and would probably be enjoyed by those who like soap opera style drama. I found the premise to be a good one, but unfortunately, I found the plot a bit uneven and convoluted at times. The rushed ending was an ill-conceived attempt to tie the loose ends of the sub-plots which only elevated the farcical conclusions.

Reviewed by Phyllis
February 25, 2009”

Phyllis wrote this review Wednesday, February 25 2009. ( reply | permalink )