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Dancing to an Irish Reel
Claire Fullerton
2016 Finalist
236 Pages
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Fiction - Cultural
Reviewed by Carla Trueheart for Readers' Favorite
Dancing to an Irish Reel by Claire Fullerton tells the story of Hailey, an American who lands a job at a music centre in Ireland. Hailey helps local musicians organize their careers at the music centre, but she also has friends at the centre as well. Throughout the story, Hailey helps her friends, she thrives in the culture and landscape of Ireland, and she relays the beautiful land and the residents of Ireland through introspection, providing insight about the many people she meets. The heart of the story, however, is Liam, a shy and withdrawn musician who steals Hailey’s heart. Hailey is confused by Liam’s behavior, and the two find they are similar in the ways they avoid talking to each other and telling each other how they truly feel.
Sometimes an author connects with their subject so well that it is evident in the story. Author Claire Fullerton gives many details of Irish life and culture, and the reader does feel very much inside the Irish landscape, hearing the voices of Irish residents, and breathing in the fresh Irish air. There is much to like in Dancing to an Irish Reel, from the inner thoughts of Hailey to the budding romance between Hailey and Liam. I would have loved a little more spark between the two, but my take is that the book was more about Hailey’s journey in Ireland than her Irish romance. I enjoyed the little scenes that captured the magic of Ireland, such as the Tarot card reader and the unique music. The dialogue was spot on for the area, and I did enjoy the many characters and their interactions with Hailey. Dancing to an Irish Reel is a relaxed, sit back and read book, and is recommended to those who like stories with light romance and cultural commentary.
Dancing to an Irish Reel by Claire Fullerton tells the story of Hailey, an American who lands a job at a music centre in Ireland. Hailey helps local musicians organize their careers at the music centre, but she also has friends at the centre as well. Throughout the story, Hailey helps her friends, she thrives in the culture and landscape of Ireland, and she relays the beautiful land and the residents of Ireland through introspection, providing insight about the many people she meets. The heart of the story, however, is Liam, a shy and withdrawn musician who steals Hailey’s heart. Hailey is confused by Liam’s behavior, and the two find they are similar in the ways they avoid talking to each other and telling each other how they truly feel.
Sometimes an author connects with their subject so well that it is evident in the story. Author Claire Fullerton gives many details of Irish life and culture, and the reader does feel very much inside the Irish landscape, hearing the voices of Irish residents, and breathing in the fresh Irish air. There is much to like in Dancing to an Irish Reel, from the inner thoughts of Hailey to the budding romance between Hailey and Liam. I would have loved a little more spark between the two, but my take is that the book was more about Hailey’s journey in Ireland than her Irish romance. I enjoyed the little scenes that captured the magic of Ireland, such as the Tarot card reader and the unique music. The dialogue was spot on for the area, and I did enjoy the many characters and their interactions with Hailey. Dancing to an Irish Reel is a relaxed, sit back and read book, and is recommended to those who like stories with light romance and cultural commentary.
Recommend this book:
A Gift From Grandpa
Passing the Torch to his Crystal Grandson
Kirby J. Gallagher
2016 Finalist
318 Pages
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Fiction - Cultural
Reviewed by Hilary Hawkes for Readers' Favorite
A Gift From Grandpa: Passing the Torch to his Crystal Grandson by Kirby J Gallagher is an intriguing story of love, enlightenment and hope. The main character, David Duncan, reaches middle age before he begins to question his beliefs and way of living, and realizes that his life, and everyone’s, has a purpose. Through meeting spiritually minded people he discovers he has an amazing gift to make contact, through meditation, with other souls, spirit guides and angels. He has a telepathic ability and can also heal people. Susan, his daughter, grows up embarrassed about her father’s abilities and turns her back on all things spiritual – but then David begins to lose his battle with cancer and Ryan, his grandson and Crystal child, must be told the secrets and truths about his own purpose and spiritual connection too.
A Gift from Grandpa is a beautifully written and thought-provoking story. It begins by introducing the reader to David and Ryan and their very special grandfather-grandson bond. Kirby J Gallagher has created good, strong characters that the reader can relate to in many ways – Susan with her initial doubts about her father’s beliefs and gifts, and Ryan with his humor and curiosity. The plot unfolds at a good pace switching scenes between David and Ryan to Susan. I love the message within this story through which the author describes and explains very well a theory or view of the meaning of life – as discovered by the characters. In doing this, he draws our attention to the materialistic priorities, fears and mistaken beliefs people are so often prone to hold. The story suggests a more meaningful and purposeful life lies within reach for each of us. Though a fictitious story, the theme of New Age spirituality and meaning will appeal to readers intrigued by the notion of crystal or indigo children, and those looking for the freedom, answers and truth outside of religious thought or rules. A thought-provoking book written from the heart.
A Gift From Grandpa: Passing the Torch to his Crystal Grandson by Kirby J Gallagher is an intriguing story of love, enlightenment and hope. The main character, David Duncan, reaches middle age before he begins to question his beliefs and way of living, and realizes that his life, and everyone’s, has a purpose. Through meeting spiritually minded people he discovers he has an amazing gift to make contact, through meditation, with other souls, spirit guides and angels. He has a telepathic ability and can also heal people. Susan, his daughter, grows up embarrassed about her father’s abilities and turns her back on all things spiritual – but then David begins to lose his battle with cancer and Ryan, his grandson and Crystal child, must be told the secrets and truths about his own purpose and spiritual connection too.
A Gift from Grandpa is a beautifully written and thought-provoking story. It begins by introducing the reader to David and Ryan and their very special grandfather-grandson bond. Kirby J Gallagher has created good, strong characters that the reader can relate to in many ways – Susan with her initial doubts about her father’s beliefs and gifts, and Ryan with his humor and curiosity. The plot unfolds at a good pace switching scenes between David and Ryan to Susan. I love the message within this story through which the author describes and explains very well a theory or view of the meaning of life – as discovered by the characters. In doing this, he draws our attention to the materialistic priorities, fears and mistaken beliefs people are so often prone to hold. The story suggests a more meaningful and purposeful life lies within reach for each of us. Though a fictitious story, the theme of New Age spirituality and meaning will appeal to readers intrigued by the notion of crystal or indigo children, and those looking for the freedom, answers and truth outside of religious thought or rules. A thought-provoking book written from the heart.
Recommend this book:
Coinman
An Untold Conspiracy
Pawan Mishra
2016 Honorable Mention
238 Pages
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Fiction - Cultural
Reviewed by Danielle Urban for Readers' Favorite
Coinman: An Untold Conspiracy by Pawan Mishra is an incredible and unforgettable journey. A debut literary novel by a new talented writer. I was easily entertained by the well-written tale. This enchanting story took me deep into its plot and set me upon an unknown and remarkable journey. I loved how Pawan Mishra brought in a little bit of an Indian lifestyle and culture to the piece at hand. Highly suspenseful, this story made sure that I never knew what to expect until it occurred. The pages are vivid in description and the narrator's point of view made me more curious to read further.
The novel itself moves fast and is set in an office environment. Co-workers are not always the nicest people nor the easiest to deal with, yet here I faced an entire set of office workers going against one man. This particular man was nicknamed Coinman. He always has a hand holding coins in one of his pockets; never does he use both hands and when he has to use both, he makes an excuse to leave. Everything about him annoys his co-workers and they set out to plot against him. A business firm that turns violent, a conspiracy in the works, and a spy among the co-workers. The unfolding of events in this exciting adventure will keep readers turning the pages and wondering what will be inside Pawan Mishra's next work. Overall, I greatly enjoyed reading Coinman: An Untold Conspiracy and I highly recommend it to all.
Coinman: An Untold Conspiracy by Pawan Mishra is an incredible and unforgettable journey. A debut literary novel by a new talented writer. I was easily entertained by the well-written tale. This enchanting story took me deep into its plot and set me upon an unknown and remarkable journey. I loved how Pawan Mishra brought in a little bit of an Indian lifestyle and culture to the piece at hand. Highly suspenseful, this story made sure that I never knew what to expect until it occurred. The pages are vivid in description and the narrator's point of view made me more curious to read further.
The novel itself moves fast and is set in an office environment. Co-workers are not always the nicest people nor the easiest to deal with, yet here I faced an entire set of office workers going against one man. This particular man was nicknamed Coinman. He always has a hand holding coins in one of his pockets; never does he use both hands and when he has to use both, he makes an excuse to leave. Everything about him annoys his co-workers and they set out to plot against him. A business firm that turns violent, a conspiracy in the works, and a spy among the co-workers. The unfolding of events in this exciting adventure will keep readers turning the pages and wondering what will be inside Pawan Mishra's next work. Overall, I greatly enjoyed reading Coinman: An Untold Conspiracy and I highly recommend it to all.
Recommend this book:
Love's Affliction
Fidelis O. Mkparu
2016 Honorable Mention
278 Pages
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Fiction - Cultural
Reviewed by Gisela Dixon for Readers' Favorite
Love's Affliction by Fidelis O. Mkparu is essentially a story of love set amidst the backdrop of interracial tension. The setting is North Carolina in the '70s and Joseph Fafa is an international student from Nigeria who wants to pursue a medical degree. The book explores Joseph’s immigrant background - born and raised in Nigeria - as well as his struggles and hopes as he attempts to assimilate into American culture. In college, he meets blond, light-eyed Wendy and the two immediately hit it off. Of course, this entails challenges for the young interracial couple, especially in the post-Civil War South where tensions between blacks and whites can still tend to run high, and where an interracial relationship like the one Joseph and Wendy share is still sometimes frowned upon and worse. The novel follows the lives of these young people as they break and make up several times, form friendships with other people, and at the same time try to fight for their love. Will they overcome all odds? Or will society prove too much for them? This is what forms the plot of the novel.
I enjoyed reading Love’s Affliction a lot and some of the themes of racism and immigrant bias are especially relevant in today’s culture and society. Both the central protagonists are drawn superbly and I especially found myself rooting for the central character of Joseph as he displays honesty, integrity, and kindness throughout, even during the rough times. The supporting cast is also well drawn and complements the story well. I found the writing to be very engaging and the flow of the book kept me wanting to read more and more all in one go. Overall, this is an excellent book that is much more than just a romance book.
Love's Affliction by Fidelis O. Mkparu is essentially a story of love set amidst the backdrop of interracial tension. The setting is North Carolina in the '70s and Joseph Fafa is an international student from Nigeria who wants to pursue a medical degree. The book explores Joseph’s immigrant background - born and raised in Nigeria - as well as his struggles and hopes as he attempts to assimilate into American culture. In college, he meets blond, light-eyed Wendy and the two immediately hit it off. Of course, this entails challenges for the young interracial couple, especially in the post-Civil War South where tensions between blacks and whites can still tend to run high, and where an interracial relationship like the one Joseph and Wendy share is still sometimes frowned upon and worse. The novel follows the lives of these young people as they break and make up several times, form friendships with other people, and at the same time try to fight for their love. Will they overcome all odds? Or will society prove too much for them? This is what forms the plot of the novel.
I enjoyed reading Love’s Affliction a lot and some of the themes of racism and immigrant bias are especially relevant in today’s culture and society. Both the central protagonists are drawn superbly and I especially found myself rooting for the central character of Joseph as he displays honesty, integrity, and kindness throughout, even during the rough times. The supporting cast is also well drawn and complements the story well. I found the writing to be very engaging and the flow of the book kept me wanting to read more and more all in one go. Overall, this is an excellent book that is much more than just a romance book.
Recommend this book:
The Ambassador's Wife
A Novel
Jennifer Steil
2016 Bronze Medal
400 Pages
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Fiction - Cultural
Reviewed by Tracy A. Fischer for Readers' Favorite
Wow...just, wow! That's what I thought when I finished reading The Ambassador's Wife: A Novel by debut novelist Jennifer Steil. Follow the story of artist Miranda, an independent and unique woman, who falls in love with Finn, a British ambassador. The couple and their small daughter are assigned to Mazrooq, a fictional country, but one that embodies much that is familiar about many of those in the Middle East. Miranda is overwhelmed by her loss of freedom, even though the family lives in a beautiful mansion and is surrounded by servants prepared to satisfy their every whim and desire. And when a terrorist act leaves her as a hostage, the entire family's very existence is suddenly at risk. Even though she lives in terror, Miranda develops a close relationship with a child also living in captivity, and through memory and introspection about her life, realizes that her relationship with Finn and the secrets they have kept may have led those they love into danger.
I so loved The Ambassador's Wife. Author Jennifer Steil has done an amazing job in developing characters that her readers will truly connect with, root for, and will continue to think about long after the book is finished. If that isn't the hallmark of a great author, I'm not sure what is. Her ability to set a scene is absolutely second to none. Her readers will feel as if they are in the Middle East with Miranda, living through captivity with her. Any reader who loves fiction, stories with a strong female protagonist, or simply a great read would love The Ambassador's Wife. I highly recommend this book, and I will certainly keep my eye out for more books by Jennifer Steil. This up and coming author is one to watch!
Wow...just, wow! That's what I thought when I finished reading The Ambassador's Wife: A Novel by debut novelist Jennifer Steil. Follow the story of artist Miranda, an independent and unique woman, who falls in love with Finn, a British ambassador. The couple and their small daughter are assigned to Mazrooq, a fictional country, but one that embodies much that is familiar about many of those in the Middle East. Miranda is overwhelmed by her loss of freedom, even though the family lives in a beautiful mansion and is surrounded by servants prepared to satisfy their every whim and desire. And when a terrorist act leaves her as a hostage, the entire family's very existence is suddenly at risk. Even though she lives in terror, Miranda develops a close relationship with a child also living in captivity, and through memory and introspection about her life, realizes that her relationship with Finn and the secrets they have kept may have led those they love into danger.
I so loved The Ambassador's Wife. Author Jennifer Steil has done an amazing job in developing characters that her readers will truly connect with, root for, and will continue to think about long after the book is finished. If that isn't the hallmark of a great author, I'm not sure what is. Her ability to set a scene is absolutely second to none. Her readers will feel as if they are in the Middle East with Miranda, living through captivity with her. Any reader who loves fiction, stories with a strong female protagonist, or simply a great read would love The Ambassador's Wife. I highly recommend this book, and I will certainly keep my eye out for more books by Jennifer Steil. This up and coming author is one to watch!
Recommend this book:
Becoming Moon
Craig A. Hart
2016 Bronze Medal
190 Pages
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Fiction - Cultural
Reviewed by Maria Beltran for Readers' Favorite
Becoming Moon by Craig A. Hart is a moving story about a young man who dreams of making a name for himself as a writer. Growing up in a conservative family, he rejects his parents’ way of life and tries to follow his dream. As a struggling artist, he finally gets a shot at fame and money in a most unconventional and irregular way, but this proves to be short lived and fleeting. Desperate to come up with his next bestseller and trying to find his muse again, he meets the accomplished but aging writer, Nigel Moon. What follows is an unusual arrangement where he finds himself becoming Moon himself. Can he get rid of his past completely?
Becoming Moon unfolds with a young man going through his regular routine of taking a trip to the Upper Peninsula where he hopes to find the inspiration to write. This seems conventional enough, but then the story takes a dark and eccentric turn and this is when it demands our attention. Craig A. Hart surely understands the writer’s world. Becoming Moon is a satire of this world and a snapshot of publishing as well. But underneath the novel’s sometimes fragile surface lies the conviction that redemption entails an honest journey into your past and into yourself, and only then can one transform one’s self into a better person. Easy to read and at times humorous, at times dark, there is an honesty in this novel that is quite intriguing. I highly recommend this book!
Becoming Moon by Craig A. Hart is a moving story about a young man who dreams of making a name for himself as a writer. Growing up in a conservative family, he rejects his parents’ way of life and tries to follow his dream. As a struggling artist, he finally gets a shot at fame and money in a most unconventional and irregular way, but this proves to be short lived and fleeting. Desperate to come up with his next bestseller and trying to find his muse again, he meets the accomplished but aging writer, Nigel Moon. What follows is an unusual arrangement where he finds himself becoming Moon himself. Can he get rid of his past completely?
Becoming Moon unfolds with a young man going through his regular routine of taking a trip to the Upper Peninsula where he hopes to find the inspiration to write. This seems conventional enough, but then the story takes a dark and eccentric turn and this is when it demands our attention. Craig A. Hart surely understands the writer’s world. Becoming Moon is a satire of this world and a snapshot of publishing as well. But underneath the novel’s sometimes fragile surface lies the conviction that redemption entails an honest journey into your past and into yourself, and only then can one transform one’s self into a better person. Easy to read and at times humorous, at times dark, there is an honesty in this novel that is quite intriguing. I highly recommend this book!
Recommend this book:
Second Chances
Lincoln Cole
2016 Silver Medal
218 Pages
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Fiction - Cultural
Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite
Second Chances by Lincoln Cole is a story about journeys of self-discovery. It opens with a meeting held at a school in a white suburb that a judge has ruled must accept children bused in from a black neighbourhood. Lakeisha, a black widowed mother of four, witnesses the white parents’ objections when the meeting was called to plan how best integration could be implemented. How can she support her youngest daughter, who must cope with that attitude? Richard Greenwood went into law to help people and has become disillusioned; justice is for the rich. Lakeisha goes missing, leaving her eldest daughter, Nichole, a first-year law student, with the job of being mom to her younger brother and sister. Nichole, working as an intern at Franklin and Greenwood, asks Richard for help that he cannot legally give.
Lincoln Cole’s Second Chances is a powerful story that hooks the reader instantly. Mr Cole is to be congratulated on tackling a diversity of difficult issues and doing it well. Racial discrimination, the high cost of medical care, the judicial system, wife battering, child abuse and alcoholism: all of it within a story that never fails to entertain. The scene is brilliantly set from Lakeisha’s point of view but quickly moves on to the problems Nichole faces, and the sacrifices she is prepared to make for those she loves. Richard presents as a confident man, successful in his chosen career, but his contact with Nichole forces him to question the motives behind his life choices, and re-evaluate what made him the man he has become. This is indeed a story of second chances and I recommend it highly.
Second Chances by Lincoln Cole is a story about journeys of self-discovery. It opens with a meeting held at a school in a white suburb that a judge has ruled must accept children bused in from a black neighbourhood. Lakeisha, a black widowed mother of four, witnesses the white parents’ objections when the meeting was called to plan how best integration could be implemented. How can she support her youngest daughter, who must cope with that attitude? Richard Greenwood went into law to help people and has become disillusioned; justice is for the rich. Lakeisha goes missing, leaving her eldest daughter, Nichole, a first-year law student, with the job of being mom to her younger brother and sister. Nichole, working as an intern at Franklin and Greenwood, asks Richard for help that he cannot legally give.
Lincoln Cole’s Second Chances is a powerful story that hooks the reader instantly. Mr Cole is to be congratulated on tackling a diversity of difficult issues and doing it well. Racial discrimination, the high cost of medical care, the judicial system, wife battering, child abuse and alcoholism: all of it within a story that never fails to entertain. The scene is brilliantly set from Lakeisha’s point of view but quickly moves on to the problems Nichole faces, and the sacrifices she is prepared to make for those she loves. Richard presents as a confident man, successful in his chosen career, but his contact with Nichole forces him to question the motives behind his life choices, and re-evaluate what made him the man he has become. This is indeed a story of second chances and I recommend it highly.
Recommend this book:
Living Treasures
Yang Huang
2016 Gold Medal
318 Pages
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Fiction - Cultural
Reviewed by Cee-Jay Aurinko for Readers' Favorite
Yang Huang's debut novel, Living Treasures, takes us to China in 1989, the year of the student movement. Bao, a law student at Nanjing University, believed Tong when he told her that she would not get pregnant after having sex because it was her first time. A pregnancy test proved otherwise. Her parents wanted her to continue with her studies, but to do that, she had to go for an abortion and no one at Nanjing University could ever know that she was pregnant. After a two-day trip, Bao arrives at the village where she grew up with her grandparents. The fate of her baby is pretty much etched in stone. Will the abortion of her child break her? Will Tong ever forgive her for going against his wishes?
As a child, Bao was quite the "miracle worker," according to her grandmother. Bao's reunion with her grandparents makes readers wonder how she will live up to that analogy, especially since her grandmother appears to be a bit grumpy at first. Her grandfather introduces both Bao and the reader to the keeping of bees, a development that the reader will find very intriguing. Bao meets many interesting characters while staying at her grandparents' home. I loved the insight that Huang provided when it came to the histories of Bao's father, her mother, and various other characters. The antagonist makes his actual appearance quite late in the book, so readers will have to wait a while for a taste of danger. This is one of those books where everything comes full circle.
Yang Huang's debut novel, Living Treasures, takes us to China in 1989, the year of the student movement. Bao, a law student at Nanjing University, believed Tong when he told her that she would not get pregnant after having sex because it was her first time. A pregnancy test proved otherwise. Her parents wanted her to continue with her studies, but to do that, she had to go for an abortion and no one at Nanjing University could ever know that she was pregnant. After a two-day trip, Bao arrives at the village where she grew up with her grandparents. The fate of her baby is pretty much etched in stone. Will the abortion of her child break her? Will Tong ever forgive her for going against his wishes?
As a child, Bao was quite the "miracle worker," according to her grandmother. Bao's reunion with her grandparents makes readers wonder how she will live up to that analogy, especially since her grandmother appears to be a bit grumpy at first. Her grandfather introduces both Bao and the reader to the keeping of bees, a development that the reader will find very intriguing. Bao meets many interesting characters while staying at her grandparents' home. I loved the insight that Huang provided when it came to the histories of Bao's father, her mother, and various other characters. The antagonist makes his actual appearance quite late in the book, so readers will have to wait a while for a taste of danger. This is one of those books where everything comes full circle.
Recommend this book:
Sally Field Can Play The Transsexual
or, I Was Cursed By Polly Holliday
Leslie L. Smith
2015 Finalist
294 Pages
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Fiction - Cultural
Reviewed by Kathryn Bennett for Readers' Favorite
Sally Field Can Play The Transsexual: or, I Was Cursed By Polly Holliday by Leslie L. Smith is a story of humor, loss and inspiration. David Matthers is a gay man who is an escort with a habit of keeping responsibility in the rear view mirror or, at the very least, a little bit ahead of him; the same goes for emotion. When his friend and mentor Robert dies from AIDS, he must face emotion and struggle with the loss. The situation is made more confusing for David because his friend left him a large sum of money. On a journey across the country to his sick mother, David will talk with Robert's ghost and meet a variety of entertaining characters that challenge him and his thought process.
This is a book that offers a lot of insight into the struggles of not just being gay in America today (yes, there is still a struggle) but of life in general and coping with loss. There was a great deal of humor that blunted some of the more emotional parts, but everything in this book flows together and offers a long and emotional look at many different issues. Author Leslie L. Smith has done a fantastic job in writing this book, making it engaging and something that you want to read and connect with. I was pleasantly surprised with how often I found myself smiling and then feeling an emotional connection with the events going on. I would recommend this book to any of my friends.
Sally Field Can Play The Transsexual: or, I Was Cursed By Polly Holliday by Leslie L. Smith is a story of humor, loss and inspiration. David Matthers is a gay man who is an escort with a habit of keeping responsibility in the rear view mirror or, at the very least, a little bit ahead of him; the same goes for emotion. When his friend and mentor Robert dies from AIDS, he must face emotion and struggle with the loss. The situation is made more confusing for David because his friend left him a large sum of money. On a journey across the country to his sick mother, David will talk with Robert's ghost and meet a variety of entertaining characters that challenge him and his thought process.
This is a book that offers a lot of insight into the struggles of not just being gay in America today (yes, there is still a struggle) but of life in general and coping with loss. There was a great deal of humor that blunted some of the more emotional parts, but everything in this book flows together and offers a long and emotional look at many different issues. Author Leslie L. Smith has done a fantastic job in writing this book, making it engaging and something that you want to read and connect with. I was pleasantly surprised with how often I found myself smiling and then feeling an emotional connection with the events going on. I would recommend this book to any of my friends.
Recommend this book:
Silent Trees
Power and Passion in War Torn Afghanistan
Nasir Shansab
2015 Honorable Mention
336 Pages
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Fiction - Cultural
Reviewed by J. Aislynn d'Merricksson for Readers' Favorite
Silent Trees: Power and Passion in War-torn Afghanistan by Nasir Shansab is a haunting story of a country on the verge of chaotic collapse. Most of the book is set in the late '70s, before the Soviet invasion. It is told from the viewpoint of several major players, most notably the businessman Habib Dhil. Despite assurances from American acquaintances that things are 'stable' in his home country of Afghanistan, Dhil has the intuition that this is not the case, and that the fragile stack of cards that is a corrupt government is about to come crashing down.
Other viewpoints include Maggie Reed, an American lover of Dhil's, Miriam, another lover, and two of Dhil's friends, Anwar Haq and Alam Gol. Each is connected to the other, and we hear each perspective of this interwoven story. I was very quickly drawn into the lives of these characters. There were no 'heroes' among them. They were average, everyday people trying to survive in harsh circumstances. Some of them did some pretty horrible things, yet I still found myself hoping for the very best for each of them.
The writing is mostly prose, poetic and flowing. It was certainly easy to envision myself as part of the story. A scene near the beginning that I really became drawn into was a vision Maggie had of a long ago battle on the grounds of an old fort site she was visiting. The description was so vivid that I could hear the thunder of hooves and the clash of swords, and see the frenzy of said battle raging around me.
The author, Nasir Shansab, is native Afghani, and I enjoyed the cultural quirks and customs written into Silent Trees. He lived through the historical events portrayed in the book, if not the actual fiction story itself. I cannot imagine going through this. I pray I never need know.
Silent Trees: Power and Passion in War-torn Afghanistan by Nasir Shansab is a haunting story of a country on the verge of chaotic collapse. Most of the book is set in the late '70s, before the Soviet invasion. It is told from the viewpoint of several major players, most notably the businessman Habib Dhil. Despite assurances from American acquaintances that things are 'stable' in his home country of Afghanistan, Dhil has the intuition that this is not the case, and that the fragile stack of cards that is a corrupt government is about to come crashing down.
Other viewpoints include Maggie Reed, an American lover of Dhil's, Miriam, another lover, and two of Dhil's friends, Anwar Haq and Alam Gol. Each is connected to the other, and we hear each perspective of this interwoven story. I was very quickly drawn into the lives of these characters. There were no 'heroes' among them. They were average, everyday people trying to survive in harsh circumstances. Some of them did some pretty horrible things, yet I still found myself hoping for the very best for each of them.
The writing is mostly prose, poetic and flowing. It was certainly easy to envision myself as part of the story. A scene near the beginning that I really became drawn into was a vision Maggie had of a long ago battle on the grounds of an old fort site she was visiting. The description was so vivid that I could hear the thunder of hooves and the clash of swords, and see the frenzy of said battle raging around me.
The author, Nasir Shansab, is native Afghani, and I enjoyed the cultural quirks and customs written into Silent Trees. He lived through the historical events portrayed in the book, if not the actual fiction story itself. I cannot imagine going through this. I pray I never need know.
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