Thursday, February 7, 2013

Today's Book Reviews

As a member of netgalley I try to review the books that I have read. Here are the two latest novels that I have read.
The Pawnbroker by Jerry Hatchett
With the main character running for his life while trying to solve the mysteries surrounding the person he had killed in self defense this book kept me reading for the better part of a day. Unfortunately, the excessive murders detracted from the overall story so I would be reluctant to recommend it to others. It would be nice to see more creative ways of solving the problems. Also, in the initial scene we have two hunters discovering a grisly scene because of the smell, yet at the end of the novel, in the same building none of the characters comment on this smell. The author would do well to check more carefully for inconsistencies in his writing.

Yellow Crocus: A Novel by Laila Ibrahim
Slavery and survival through women's eyes
The story of Mattie and Lisbeth reveals some of the hidden nuances of growing up with slavery. As a slave, Mattie had no rights over her own body or her children and yet was given the responsibility of nourishing and nurturing the child of the plantation owners. Lisbeth shows in her outlook and choices that she has adopted Mattie's values rather than those of her parents. This story creates space for us to understand and touch some of the realities that have shaped the experiences of diverse women. I highly recommend it.

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