I decided to change things up. Instead of my feature lengths on one book, I will do review snippets for numerous books. Thought you all might like the change of pace.
Honestly, though, I just got too lazy to do anything more than a paragraph. Enjoy!
Honestly, though, I just got too lazy to do anything more than a paragraph. Enjoy!
Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Wench is simply a story about slavery. Nothing gained or lost in reading this book. It centers on the life of a slave, Lizzie, who is the mistress of the slave master. She and other slave mistresses go with their masters to an Ohio resort every summer. The resort is held in free territory but they do not try to escape due to various ties back on the Southern plantation. All of this passes for years until a new slave mistress comes with higher expectations of herself that supersede any ties back on her plantation. The new slave mistress, Mawu, challenges the slave women and men to take their freedom. This novel follows the struggles of making that decision.
This is Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s first novel and congratulations go out for that achievement. However, the content brings nothing new to the tragedy of slavery. It reads like a story told too often. Lately I have been reading a lot of African-American literature because of my book club and I have been disappointed. Maybe it is the selections being made but I don’t think I can take another novel that speaks on the hardships and trials of African-American life. It is not my reality as an African-American and I wish there would be an author who would show that. Any suggestions?
Wench is simply a story about slavery. Nothing gained or lost in reading this book. It centers on the life of a slave, Lizzie, who is the mistress of the slave master. She and other slave mistresses go with their masters to an Ohio resort every summer. The resort is held in free territory but they do not try to escape due to various ties back on the Southern plantation. All of this passes for years until a new slave mistress comes with higher expectations of herself that supersede any ties back on her plantation. The new slave mistress, Mawu, challenges the slave women and men to take their freedom. This novel follows the struggles of making that decision.
This is Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s first novel and congratulations go out for that achievement. However, the content brings nothing new to the tragedy of slavery. It reads like a story told too often. Lately I have been reading a lot of African-American literature because of my book club and I have been disappointed. Maybe it is the selections being made but I don’t think I can take another novel that speaks on the hardships and trials of African-American life. It is not my reality as an African-American and I wish there would be an author who would show that. Any suggestions?
2 stars - Borrow, don't buy this book. You won't want to read it again.
Spoiled by Caitlin Macy
Aptly titled, Spoiled, is a collection of short stories detailing brief episodes in the lives of American snobs around the world. Thankfully, the author used short-story format because each character became unbearable by the end of each brief story. If you’re looking for affirmation that the rich & famous really don’t have it that great and you should feel good about your life as it is, then this is your book. The formula for each story was the same. Rich, opulent lifestyles squandered by those who can’t appreciate it because they were never able to appreciate themselves. The reader isn’t even inspired to feel sympathy for them because the characters demand pity for how they squandered the fortunate opportunities of their lives. It would have been nice to have a variety. People are spoiled by more than just high expectations & demands to meet the grandiose lives imagined in the head. You can be spoiled by love, hate, money, envy, success, failure, etc… You can be spoiled by receiving in abundance something unearned. Unfortunately, Caitlin Macy only focuses on those spoiled by money and envy.
2 stars - Borrow, don't buy this book. You won't want to read it again.
2 stars - Borrow, don't buy this book. You won't want to read it again.
