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Reviews by Lee M. (Creve Coeur, MO)

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How to Find Your Way Home
by Katy Regan

A Different Love (10/10/2021)

Emily has a nice apartment, a good job, and her pick of well mannered young men and life is good but she has spent several years trying to find her brother Stephen. After he'd spent four years in prison, he never returned home and has been drifting along living with the homeless. Emily spends time reminiscing about their childhood on Convey Island. Stephen inspired her loved of nature and especially for birds. He knew all about them and they had wonderful camping trips recognizing and identifying them. With not even an address to start with, she's filled with disbelief when she hears Stephen's voice in an adjoining office. Fortunately she is able to track him down and although he looks worse than the rest of the homeless she brings him to her apartment and gives him her guest room. But still there is something missing in both their lives, and if it's not each other what is or what was haunting them. The love between siblings can be very beautiful, even at a young age, and the author imbues it in every word she's written.

Beasts of a Little Land: A Novel
by Juhea Kim

A Girl Named Jade (8/15/2021)

Knowing so very little of the history of Korea this was an extremely difficult book to really immerse myself into as so many gaps, for me, existed. It's a historical saga that extends from 1917 to 1965 and portrays many unforgettable characters. Mostly they revolve around a girl named Jade. She is the one individual that ties it all together first as a child sold to be a courtesan in training, then as a well known courtesan and a famous actress. She meets many Koreans and a few Japanese and her sweet innocence and initial goodness charms them all. Some fall in love with Jade but most remain friends with her although wars and/or political upheavals toss the country about from starvation to epicurean fare. I was impressed with the author's intimate knowledge of the history of Korea and I sensed her strong love for her country. Some beatifically lyrical sentences had me reading them more than once. I found the book an interesting, well plotted, sensitively written, thoroughly satisfying read.

Daughters of Smoke and Fire: A Novel
by Ava Homa

Unknown Kurds (8/12/2021)

A moving and heart breaking tribute to all the Kurds still living, or trying to live, a normal life in Iran. Leila Saman was born Kurdish but she always felt guilty and insecure about her background. She knew she could speak Kurdish at home but but it was forbidden to speak it in public or in school. Leila was never told of the fifty years of Kurdish history that Iran has endeavored, almost successfully, to eradicate. Her father bore the scars of his prison detention for his leftist activities and no one spoke of the murders by the state of her six uncles.

Uncertain of herself and who she is, she moves to Tehran with her brother Chia who is enrolled in college. Chia encourages her to read his notebooks on the Iranian regime and its affects on the Kurds and just as she is starting to understand, Chia disappears. We can feel her pain as no official will admit to knowing where Chia is or if he has been arrested. Although she pleads, begs and bribes no one will even admit he is missing. With no information where does Leila go from here?

When Broadway Was Black: The Triumphant Story of the All-Black Musical that Changed the World (aka Footnotes)
by Caseen Gaines

Bright Lights (3/30/2021)

Great care and attention to detail has gone into this compilation of a defining part of Broadway. Many people think Hamilton was one of the first all Black forays, or at least one of the most important, which tends to nullify the other serious contributions that paved the way. How the duos of Noble Sissle with Eubie Blake and Flournoy Miller with Aubrey Lyles managed to write and act in the dazzling all Black musical, "Shuffle Along," needs to be recognized. I believe "Footnotes" will pave the way and acknowledge all of the stars and contributors to the Great White Way. I understand it would be impossible to see the original "Shuffle Along" as there was no written script, imagine what improvising that must have been, but many theatre lovers would love to see what has survived.

The Fortunate Ones
by Ed Tarkington

My Charmed Life (10/22/2020)

Charlie Boykin has graduated from eight grade and he and his friend Terrance are looking forward to high school. He lives in East Nashville with his mother and aunt and he will be attending as a white in a mostly black school again but thinks high school might be different. When his mother brings him to Yeatman School in Belle Mead and tells him he could attend there instead, Charlie never hesitates and never looks back. The book follows Charlie through his 'coming of age' high school and beyond as both he and his mother find it nicer to live on the better side of Nashville. Although he never questions how he became so lucky, will Charlie have to pay the piper? I loved the writing and the story but felt a current of sadness running through the book. Although there was talk of love most of the actions, except for ones on the first few pages, did not feel like love.

The Patron Saint of Pregnant Girls: A Novel
by Ursula Hegi

We have Sleepy Hollow (4/30/2020)

Many, many eons ago, according to the Old Women of Strand, a humongous wave of the Nordsee came and totally buried the neighboring town of Runholdt. Ms Hegi uses this legend as she carefully creates a lyrical and beautiful impressionistic tale of the present town of Strand. Her spot-on descriptions of many of the characters and their contributions help to explain why the town is so successful. By adding psychological details about some of the residents she explains what the Legend means to them, and how it will influence their lives. She carefully weaves love, in all of its forms, throughout.

The Yellow Bird Sings: A Novel
by Jennifer Rosner

Magic (11/22/2019)

Another book about WWII, but this one is a melodic offering to all the lost souls anywhere on earth or even beyond. The music that Ms Rosner writes about just sings off the page into your heart and carries pain, sorrow, family love but most of all hope. This book is that great!

The Seine: The River that Made Paris
by Elaine Sciolino

More than a River (9/30/2019)

From Source-Seine in underground springs, seven to fifteen permanent sources, the Seine begins its journey to the sea. Most people think of the Seine and Paris as one, but as the author discovered and we learn the Seine is so much much more from the legend of the Gallo-Roman goddess Sequana to the English Channel between Le Havre and Honfleur. The Seine has been inspirations and the subject of painters for centuries.
Ms Sciolino's love of every inch of the river, 777 kilometers (483 miles) shows in every lovely description of the towns, bridges, songs, scenes, floods, lovers, fishing, islands, windmills, dreams, legends...
C'est Magnifique.

Yale Needs Women: How the First Group of Girls Rewrote the Rules of an Ivy League Giant
by Anne Gardiner Perkins

We Have Just Begun (7/4/2019)

This book tells the story of what happens when an all-male institution suddenly goes coed. Ms Perkins set up camp at Yale Manuscripts and Archives, and also interviewed 51 women and men to compile what happened at Yale from 1969 through 1972. Noteworthy is that the Equal Rights Amendment ERA, did not pass Congress until 1972. It still needs one state vote to ratify. I find it sad that it took all that fighting for equality and yet 49 years later it still needs to be done at many other places. Perhaps this book will be used as a guide, but where will we find the Superwomen?

A People's History of Heaven
by Mathangi Subramanian

A Mighty Race (2/11/2019)

Snippets of unconditional love between five girls. Well written, some irony and descriptions of real poverty. Somehow I expected more. I guess I expected to be fired up and looking for ways to help these brave women, and yet I was just quietly and smartly proud of my race. A good investment of reading time.

The Kinship of Secrets
by Eugenia Kim

What Comprises a Family (10/1/2018)

Ms. Kim probes the depths of tradition, honor, respect, and love. Taking an incident that she knows personally she weaves a heart-rending story of a family separated by time, war and continents. Do they endure, will they reunite, and is honesty about the past the best policy? You'll love the answers, and this book.

So Much Life Left Over
by Louis de Bernieres

Without War (7/6/2018)

How great to find a wonderful, new to me, author to enjoy. Such crisp unexpected humor meshes into the story of the lives of a group of friends, all survivors of The Great War. The author covers a unique time period, 1918 to the 1940's and the after effect the war has on their lives and those of their loved ones. A deep, and moving account of soldiers in peacetime.

Motherhood
by Sheila Heti

Career Advice (2/2/2018)

To say this book is different just does not cover it. It's a select compendium of many of the pros and cons of a private but important decision facing our female executive leaders of the 21st century. Very well written and covering some territory not previously discussed or well defined in any Career Manual.

The Milk Lady of Bangalore: An Unexpected Adventure
by Shoba Narayan

Do Cows Smile (12/5/2017)

The price of milk, the price of cows, the price of friendship, all are superbly explored in this book. Some basis in fact, I believe, the narrative is enlivened by Ms. Nayaran's mischievous sense of humor. Her research regarding the customs and traditions about cows, languages, and other 'only in India' information is a great plus. I thought the first half of the book could have been tightened a bit so more of a 4.5 instead of a solid 5. Heartily recommend.

Mothers of Sparta: A Memoir in Pieces
by Dawn Davies

Also included... (9/19/2017)

Two books written as one. Fine author with a nack for neat descriptions and a flair for humor. The chapters do not follow in chronological order but are snippets from a full life, be it single, as a single mother or as a family. Some sections I heartily recommend but I have reservations about others but worth the time spent reading.

The Twelve-Mile Straight: A Novel
by Eleanor Henderson

Such Shame (4/20/2017)

I don't know where to start, I loved this book SO MUCH! How Ms. Henderson got into the mind of so many people and wrote this astounds me! She made me feel I was just beside her in this tale of poverty, prejudice, hate and just plain evil. Mixed ancestry incest rounds out this story. Not for the faint hearted, but NOT to be missed!

Tell Me How This Ends Well
by David Samuel Levinson

Passover (2/22/2017)

Its 2022 and a family gathers for Passover. And the hilarity begins. All the serious, earth shattering, jaw-dropping troubles that can happen to each individual does happen and somehow Mr. Levinson makes it all funny, enjoyable and OH 'something like that happened in our family.' And we recognize some of our great crazy relatives. I smiled or laughed all the way through.

The Typewriter's Tale
by Michiel Heyns

Off the Mark (1/4/2017)

Right at the beginning I sensed this book and I would have problems. In my opinion an author does not have to write long loopy sentences and use obscure words to write an interesting Book. I am not inclined to enjoy reading Henry James' books,. Mr. Heyns did not change my mind regarding this style and I felt the imitation was pretentious. But without a doubt anyone who can simulate as well as he did is an excellent writer.

Caught in the Revolution: Petrograd, Russia, 1917 - A World on the Edge
by Helen Rappaport

The Other Side (10/28/2016)

I finished this book last night and I'm still speechless. We have all read about the Russian Revolution of 1917, but not this way, from the non Russian observers. And you are not reading, your are there! Ms. Rappaport started collecting eyewitness and written accounts of this monumental period, many years ago. She somehow, phenomenally has gathered these in a book that gives you the impression you are actually watching and reacting to real events. Daily, sometimes hourly, you feel the emotions, be they horrific, amusing, sad, or surprising. Many kudos for amassing this information, for compiling it in a cohesive, and unbelievably enjoyable side of history seldom, if ever, seen or published. Bravo!

Karolina's Twins
by Ronald H. Balson

Never Forget (7/9/2016)

Having read Mr. Balson's previous book, "Once We Were Brothers" I spent the first third of the book feeling like deja vu. Older person goes to Lawyer, and Detective to find information on a person and/or story that occurred during the Holocaust. His very repetitive background information was superfluous and had I not volunteered to review this book I would have stopped reading. About half way through, his extensive research started to come together and then he began a very unusual story. More substantive horrors piled on a mountain of unforgettable and unforgivable history. I firmly believe there are never enough stories to remind us of our tragic history. So a solid 5 for writing and research but minus 2 for desperately needed editing.

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Reviews by Lee M. (Creve Coeur, MO)

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