Tucson Bookworms

We Need to Talk About Kevin, by Lionel Shriver

This is an emotionally gripping story as told in a series of letters written by Kevin's mother to his father, her estranged husband after Kevin kills seven fellow students, teachers and a janitor in a mass schoolhouse murder.  It is a compelling work of fiction about a mother who didn't necessarily look forward to motherhood but did her best to be the mother little Kevin needed and of the father who explained away Kevin's strange behaviors beginning in infancy.  It is not an easy story to read but will stay with the reader for some time, particularly the surprise ending.  The movie has been released in some markets but apparently not yet in Tucson. 

EXILE by Richard North Patterson

David Wolfe is a Jewish lawyer in San Francisco who knowingly sets aside his political ambitions when he decides to defend a Palestinian woman who was his  Harvard Law School classmate and with whom he had an affair 13 years previous to her current arrest on charges of conspiracy to assassinate the Israeli Prime Minister.  There is an abundance of action and suspense in this story as well as good and realistic courtroom drama.  The complex plot incorporates well developed characters into the crime and political elements of the story.  The history presented is very real.  The author interweaves experiences and persepectives of Jews and Palestinians alike and suggests why a lasting peace is so elusive.  The actions of Fatah, Hamas, Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and Islamic Jihad are presented is such a fashion as to educate the reader on the positions of both sides of the Middle East conflict. 

Love in the Driest Season by Neely Tucker

This is the true story of Neely Tucker, and white journalist from msisissippi and his black wife Vita from Detroit who are living in Zimbabwe while he reports on civil unrest in the region.  The effects of the AIDS epidemic and the resultant millions of orphaned children open one's eyes to life outside the USA.  The Tuckers started volunteering at a nearby orphanage and soon became the foster parents of Chipo, an infant left to die "in the dry season" under a bush outside the city.  The difficulties encountered following their decision to become licensed foster parents and eventually to attempt adoption of the baby make for frustration and heartbreak.  This family memoir is an excellent read. 

Desert Queen by Janet Wallach

This book is a biography of Gertrude Bell, a major figure in the creation of modern day Iraq.  Gertrude Bell. born in 1868 England, was the first female admitted to Oxford; she became a fiercely independent mountain-climbing woman whose life was devoted to exploring, mapping and excavating the Arab world of the day and she came to know the desert Arabs better than any other European of that time.  She was a great adventuress and a major player in the political and diplomatic history of the Middle East.  The author tells the story of Gertrude's family of privilege, the death of her mother early in Gertrude's life, her love for her father, stepmother and siblings as well as romantic love interests throughout her life.  It's an interesting historical narrative for those interested in the roots of modern day Iraq.

Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan

Uwem Akpan is a Jesuit priest who relates five short stories in this book, all set in war-torn African countries and all told through the eyes of young children.  Although it is a work of fiction, these stories are based on actual situations. 

One is the story of two young Ethiopian playmates who are suddenly no longer allowed to play together or even talk to each other because one is Muslim and one is Christian.  Another story is a 12-year old boy telling of his sister working as a prostitute in order to feed the family while his mother encourages the children to sniff glue as a means of relieving their hunger.  Another is the story of children victims of human traffickers. 

The title of the book is derived from the story of a young Muslim man posing as a Christian in an attempt to escape violence in Nigeria. 

These stories will enlighten the reader of real life situations occuring this very day in various African countries.   

Lost Boy by Brent Jeffs

Lost Boy is the memoir of Brent Jeffs, nephew of Warren Jeffs, the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who was arrested a couple of years ago for arranging a marriage between a 14 year old girl and an adult cousin whom she despised. 

The title is derived from the young boys and men who are cast out of the FLDS community in order to reduce competition for wives.  These boys often turn to drugs, alcohol, and suicide as means to cope outside the church which heretofore had ruled their lives. 

Brent tells of life in the FLDS community,  the rivalry between his mother and her three sister wives and their 20+ children, his parents' expulsion from the church, molestation by his uncle, and his attempts to live a "normal" life.

Paths of Glory by Jeffery Archer

Although Jeffrey Archer had been one of my favorite authors in the past, I had not read one of his books for ten or more years.  This book recently came to my attention through a co-worker and, although not a typical Archer story, it was an excellent work by a best-selling author.  It is a work of fiction based on the true account of George Mallory's attempts to climb Mt. Everest in the early days of the 20th century.  The story begins in his childhood, continues on through his college years, his school teaching career, the courtship of his wife, and most importantly his mountaineering adventures including the conquest of Chomolunga and perhaps even Mt. Everest.   

Cane River by Lalita Tademy

Cane River is a multi-generational work of fiction, based on historical fact, of the lives of slaves along the banks of the Cane River in Louisianna.  It delves into the lives and relationships between slave women and the white plantation owners who fathered their children, the French Creole and the free people of color who themselves owned land and slaves.  The story begins with the birth of the matriarch, Elizabeth, into slavery in 1799, continues through the Civil War and the struggles with emancipation, then with miscegenation, and concludes with the death of her great granddaughter Emily in 1936.  It was researched and written by Emily's great granddaughter Lalita.  It is the story of strong women, suffering abuse and separation, making difficult choices and living hard and complex lives with great hope for their children's futures.  It is truly a worthwhile read.