Lynne_Zolli

Franqui’s characters in America for Beginners are cleverly created and developed. The story explores many interesting themes such as class, prejudice, parental expectations and cultural differences. Each character had problems but grew and changed in some way during the course of the book. I like a book that doesn’t tidy up everything in the end and leaves me wondering what’s next. A very enjoyable read.

My feelings about this book are mixed. Mengiste's use of foreshadowing was very effective. The story unfolds layer after layer. The structure of the book (Chapters followed by an Interlude, Chorus and/or Photo) was intriguing and often compelling, but sometimes I found it dense, difficult to follow and distracting from the story. I had some knowledge of the Italian invasions of Ethiopia and of Haile Selassie before reading this book and felt that The Shadow King explored Ethiopian culture and class but was more a work of fiction when it came to historical accuracy or the role of women in the rebellion. It might have helped if the author cited sources about the role that women played in the invasions. I was most interested in character. Hirut, Ettore, Fucelli, Fifi and the cook seemed the best developed. I never really understood Aster or Kidane, but wanted to know more. It was confusing to me that Hirut told Ettore at the end of the story that she and Aster were the closest of friends. Could it be the horrendous experiences they shared? What I liked best about the book was Maaza Mengiste's descriptive language. She is a very talented writer who is able to write both beautiful and sometimes horrifying passages about life in times of war.

I began this book not knowing that Never Have I Ever was a popular drinking game. When Roux introduced the game to Amy's book group, my immediate response was to put down the book. It was hard for me to envision that anyone would bare their innermost secrets in a group setting let alone with a total stranger. I guess I'm naive. It seems to happen all the time. What kept me reading was the secrets. Joshilyn Jackson did a great job of gradually unfolding the layers of subterfuge in both Roux and Amy's life. The competitive interplay between the two characters was fascinating. It was definitely a page turner. I was never sure how the story would be resolved because of all the twists and turns, and found the ending both surprising and satisfying. I felt that Amy still held secrets that could possibly come back to haunt her.

Although Chanel Cleeton was not alive at the time of the revolution, her historical research was extremely accurate and objective.I wondered about her background and experience prior to writing fictional accounts of the time. Having visited Cuba in 2015, her descriptions of Havana were extremely evocative.

Although I generally enjoyed reading the book, I found the characters stereotypical and predictable Each character seemed to represent a stereotype - the strong, beautiful and independent woman, the sister who took a traditional path, the father who hung on to the past, the revolutionary brother, the kind and principled Senator. The last third of the book was disappointing, Beatriz's later dealings with the CIA were never explained, but alluded to a successful career of espionage. How about some details? It all sounded so idealistic.The fairly-tale ending was unrealistic.

John Boyne is an incredible author. He tugged at my heartstrings with Cyril in The Hearts Invisible Furies, and turned me completely around with Maurice in A Ladder to the Sky. Boyne created a character that defies description. Dislikable, vile, ruthless and amoral, Maurice stops at nothing to achieve his two dreams - becoming a literary celebrity and having a child. In his path of destruction, he steals, plagiarizes, manipulates and murders. The only person he is unable to lure into his sordid and twisted web is Gore Vidal. This was a haunting book that I can't stop thinking about.