The Headhunter's Daughter, by Tamar Myers (2011)
This is the sequel to The Witch Doctor's Wife. The books must be read in sequence as there was a lot of reference to the first book. The novel describes relations between the Belgiums, the American missionaries, and the various interactions of the African tribes right before the country's independence from the Europeans.
3 Stars
Read: February 23, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Books Set in Europe and the United States
Hunting Midnight, by Richard Zimler (2003)
I had read The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon by Richard Zimler several years ago. I was completely taken by that novel and was looking forward to reading other works by the author.
Hunting Midnight, however, did not live up to my expectations. The author seemed to try to take on too much. The book begins with John Zarco Stewart, a young boy living in Portugal. His father is Scottish and his mother, who is from Portugal is Jewish, although John is raised without a religion. John's father brings Midnight, an African bushman, into the family home. Midnight befriends the family and brings with him the mystical tales of Africa. Later, Midnight is sold into slavery and shipped to South Carolina. John, the adult, learns of this and goes to America in an attempt to find his friend and teacher, Midnight.
It was very far-fetched, as the story went from post-Inquisition Portugal to antebellum America.
Three Stars
Read: February 16, 2014
I had read The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon by Richard Zimler several years ago. I was completely taken by that novel and was looking forward to reading other works by the author.
Hunting Midnight, however, did not live up to my expectations. The author seemed to try to take on too much. The book begins with John Zarco Stewart, a young boy living in Portugal. His father is Scottish and his mother, who is from Portugal is Jewish, although John is raised without a religion. John's father brings Midnight, an African bushman, into the family home. Midnight befriends the family and brings with him the mystical tales of Africa. Later, Midnight is sold into slavery and shipped to South Carolina. John, the adult, learns of this and goes to America in an attempt to find his friend and teacher, Midnight.
It was very far-fetched, as the story went from post-Inquisition Portugal to antebellum America.
Three Stars
Read: February 16, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Books Set in Europe: Sarajevo
The Cellist of Sarajevo, by Steven Galloway (2008)
The novel takes place during Siege of Sarajevo in 1992.
4 Stars
Read: February 11, 2014
The novel takes place during Siege of Sarajevo in 1992.
4 Stars
Read: February 11, 2014
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Books Set in Asia: Sri Lanka
Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala (2013)
Wave one woman's survival story following the Tsunami in that occurred on December 26, 2004 in Sri Lanka. The author, who was vacationing at a beach resort with her family, lost her husband, two sons and parents in the tidal wave. Wave recounts the aftermath of her life. It is very well written.
5 stars.
Read: February 9, 2014
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Books Set in the United States and Germany
The Storyteller, by Jodi Picoult (2013)
5 Stars
Read: February 2, 2014
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