Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
Antonio Marez is six years old when Ultima enters his life. She is a curandera, one who heals with herbs and magic. 'We cannot let her live her last days in loneliness,' says Antonio's mother. 'It is not the way of our people,' agrees his father. And so Ultima comes to live with Antonio's family in New Mexico. Soon Tony will journey to the threshold of manhood. Always, Ultima watches over him. She graces him with the courage to face childhood bigotry, diabolical possession, the moral collapse of his brother, and too many violent deaths. Under her wise guidance, Tony will probe the family ties that bind him, and he will find in himself the magical secrets of the pagan past—a mythic legacy equally as palpable as the Catholicism of Latin America in which he has been schooled. At each turn in his life there is Ultima who will nurture the birth of his soul.

My Thoughts: 
Bless me, Rudolfo. I tried. I really tried. But after forcing myself to finish the 5th chapter, I just couldn't justify making myself read a book I couldn't get into. Life's too short! Now that being said, I appreciated Anaya's language and imagery. He writes with a fierce connection to nature which is why I'm so bummed I couldn't get into the story. What made me put this book down was the slow-moving story and the lack of connection I felt with the characters. Ultima was the most colorful and interesting of the bunch, but it still wasn't enough to make me keep reading. 

         Who knows, maybe this book gets REALLY good in chapter 6. If so, then I missed out on it. Give the book a try and maybe it will be different for you. Just because it didn't grab me doesn't mean it's not worth reading. Rudolfo Anaya is praised in the Chicano literature canon so it can't be for nothing. 

The Author

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Book Synopsis from Goodreads:
Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger...
Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way...
Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job...

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women--mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends--view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't.

My Thoughts:
So I'm a little late on the take with this one. This book was all the rage at my bookstore awhile back. Working in a bookstore, I try to also read the titles that are crazy popular with customers so that I can stay in the loop. But there have been a few duds that have made it to the bestseller list. I read "Twilight", "50 Shades of Grey", "Water for Elephants" and others....and by the end of each book I couldn't figure out what all the hype was about. Don't get me wrong, "Water for Elephants" was a good book but the hype it received swelled my expectations of it and I was left a bit disappointed. Finally, I found one that deserved every ounce of hype it got! 

I finished this book in 3 days which, for me, is an endorsement right there. I like to take time with each book I read but sometimes the book leaves me no option but to DEVOUR it. I give this book the highest rating I can because of 3 reasons:

1. the characters grab you and don't let go
2. the language is not flowery but it is full of emotion
3. the subject matter is RELEVANT & IMPORTANT

So the characters. Can I just give a shout out to Aibileen?! Minny was hilarious and Skeeter played an important role but Aibileen was hands down my favorite. If she doesn't grip your soul then you better check to see if you have one. Her determination to build the self-esteem of the little girl she takes care of is something that sticks with you even when the book is over. Despite all of the crap she has to go through every day she still worries about that little girl not being loved. Add to that the bravery of recounting her experiences as a maid to white people at a time when that would have easily been met with violence. Although Aibileen was my favorite, when the book switched to Skeeter's narrative or Minny's, I became just as absorbed in their stories as I did Aibileen's. And that's a sign of good writing. 

The language, like I said, is not flowery but there is something about the way Kathryn Stockett writes this that makes it special. It's almost as if she bypasses the lyrical side of writing and gets straight to the heart of what she wants you to feel. It's the type of writing style that could appeal to both readers and non-readers. And she does a remarkable job shifting her tone from one narrator to another without it sounding like it's just the same person.

And, of course, the subject matter is why this book should be read. It gives you a unique perspective of a critical time in American history. One that probably won't show up in high school textbooks. I think this sort of perspective gets lost because the women telling the story weren't marching or rioting. What these characters were doing was behind the scenes, but it was just as important. And the issues they faced (silently) and the relationships they had with the families they worked for ought to be known. I think this book will always be relevant....plus how can you top Minny's famous chocolate pie???

The Author

Author Tidbit (and hope for all unpublished authors out there): "The Help" was rejected by 60 literary agents before agent Susan Ramer agreed to represent Kathryn Stockett. Oops.

The Wild Mother by Elizabeth Cunningham

Book Synopsis from Goodreads:
The delicate relationship growing between Adam Underwood and Eva Brooke is nearly destroyed with the reappearance of his former wife, Lilith.

*This synopsis doesn't even cover the half of it, but I can't judge because writing a synopsis was never my strong suit.*

My Thoughts:
Oh my goodness. I just finished this an hour ago and I'm still trying to untangle myself from it. Except I really don't want to. I feel lucky this book found its way to me and I plan on getting my hands on every other book this wonderful lady has written. Where to start?

This book reads like a dark fairytale. It doesn't lack in archetypes and symbolism. The imagery is bold and haunting with plenty of PRIMAL to go around. This is not a book about any particular religion, however, it does resurrect the biblical roles of Adam, Eve and Lilith while emphasizing the sacred feminine. Elizabeth Cunningham finds a beautiful balance between these two, often contradicting, themes.

So, now the characters. The dynamics developed between each character is subtle and real. The author doesn't impose action or drama on her plot, she lets her characters develop, change and react naturally and that moves the plot forward. And yet there is plenty happening in this story. What makes a book really special to me is when a relationship within it changes unexpectedly. Even more so when enemies become allies or when an author underplays a character's capacity to love and SHOW love. So that when they do open up it's a thousand times more special because it's so rare. This book overflows with these moments and by the end of it, yep, I was crying like a toddler. And that's not because this is a really sad book. It's not. It's a breath of fresh air in its reminder that we need to open our eyes to the world around us and the people in it. Especially the ones we take for granted. 

The strongest element in this book is the bond between a mother and her daughter. Blood or otherwise. And the book is appropriately named. The main characters in this element are Ionia and her wild mother, Lilith, who comes from the Empty Lands and must return there or die. Ionia's human father, Adam, holds Lilith captive in their home while the children and grandmother eventually plot Lilith's escape. And while the bond between Ionia and her mother strengthen, there are other maternal bonds that play out as the story progresses. Each one of the author's characters meets a pivotal moment that projects them through a very critical change. Each undergoes their own transformation and, by the end of it, it creates a beautiful patchwork of what FAMILY truly is.

I will not be lending this book out, so if you know me, don't even ask! This will go on the shelf with "The Books of Great Alta" and "The Mists of Avalon." It's a keeper. Thank you, Elizabeth Cunningham!

The Author

Author Tidbit: Elizabeth Cunningham is a tenth generation Episcopal priest and was ordained an interfaith minister and counselor in 1997. She is also a poet and musician.

The Way of King Arthur by Christopher Hibbert

Book Synopsis from Goodreads: 
A fascinating and vivid depiction of the actual life and times of the real-life sixth-century British warrior who was to become known and loved as the legendary King Arthur.

My Thoughts:
This is a fairly quick read for a history book. I finished it in a day and I'm not a fast reader. What I appreciated most about this particular book on King Arthur is that it gives you a good summary of the history and warfare taking place during the supposed time of Arthur's life. I love history, but I retain information better when I can have an aerial view of it. In other words, summarize it for me pretty please. Once I have a good overview knowledge of the topic then I can better appreciate the details.

       Any type of fan of King Arthur could enjoy this book. Whether you prefer the historical no-nonsense point of view or if you prefer the romantic legend, this goes into both sides of the man. It rounds out the timeline of literary inspiration as well as the events taking place in England before, during, and after King Arthur's existence. And the last two or so chapters are dedicated to the archeological discoveries made in England that have shed more light on the legend. The language is simple but engaging without talking down to the reader. The author avoids doling out dry servings of history and sticks to the known facts while still retaining a healthy dose of romanticism.

The Author

Author Tidbit: A popular & prolific historian and biographer, Christopher Hibbert was actually born Arthur Raymond Hibbert. The name Christopher stuck after an Army Sergeant Major referred to him as "Christopher Robin" for his youthful looks.

Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie

Book Synopsis from Goodreads: 
The life of Spokane Indian Thomas Builds-the-Fire irrevocably changes when blues legend Robert Johnson miraculously appears on his reservation and passes the misfit storyteller his enchanted guitar. Inspired by this gift, Thomas forms Coyote Springs, an all-Indian Catholic band who find themselves on a magical tour that leads from reservation bars to Seattle and New York--and deep within their own souls.

My Thoughts:
Prepare yourself for heavy. This is not a light inspirational story. It's inspirational, but there are moments that are incredibly bleak. This was my first Sherman Alexie title and he definitely has a unique way of writing. He doesn't utilize the typical novel format, but instead branches out in an almost cyclical way giving you quick short perspectives of the whole. My favorite element of his writing style is his use of symbolism and magical realism.  It offers a sometimes shocking contrast to the reality of the characters.
            As far as the characters and subject matter goes, you get a very intimate glimpse into each character's past and their lack of direction and sadness become your own. What I appreciated most was how Alexie describes how reservation life really is. I grew up watching movies that romanticized Native Americans and probably to their detriment. Reading this book was an eye-opener and if his portrayal is anywhere near the truth it should be told more so that the romanticized version can be put to rest. In the face of all the other issues this country deals with, it seems as if awareness of reservation poverty is nonexistent. Considering that one of the first reservations was created in 1758, it's a problem that has been around for awhile. This almost doomed tribal fate becomes the fate of each character in the book as they struggle to keep moving forward despite circumstances continuously bringing them down. It's an eye-opener. Do not read this if you're wanting a light read. Read it because you want to be informed. And especially read it if you're caught up in the romanticized version of the Native American. This is their side as it stands today.


Favorite Quote:
"In a dream, Chess, Checkers, and Thomas sat at the drum with Big Mom during the powwow. All the Spokane Indians crowded around the drum, too. They all pounded the drum and sang. Big Mom taught them a new song, the shadow horses' song, the slaughtered horses' song, the screaming horses' song, a song of mourning that would become a song of celebration: we have survived, we have survived. They would sing and sing, until Big Mom pulled out that flute built of the bones of the most beautiful horse who ever lived. She'd play a note, then two, three, then nine hundred. One for each of the dead horses. Then she'd keep playing, nine hundred, nine thousand, nine million, one note for each of the dead Indians."

The Author

Author Tidbit: Alexie grew up on the Spokane Reservation. He was born with hydrocephalus and had to have surgery at 6 months old. His chances of surviving were slim and doctors expected him to, at the best, have mental disabilities. Instead, he's become a well-respected writer. "Reservation Blues" won 1 of the 15 American Book Awards in 1996 and he has gone on to receive several other awards including having a film (Smoke Signals) based on his collection of short stories, "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven."

The Night of the Moonbow by Thomas Tryon

Book Synopsis from Goodreads: In this spellbinding novel of idyllic childhoods torn apart by the blossoming terror of child pitted against child, Tryon spins a tale of the hidden horrors that lurk behind children's innocence, and an inevitable explosion of evil.

My Thoughts:
While this was a story that kept me interested in the fate of the main character, I would not call this horror. Even the review on the front cover, "A chilling nightmare...spine chilling terror..," is totally misleading. This is reminiscent of Lord of the Flies, suspenseful but not terrifying. 

The main character, Leo, is a tragic one but the book reviews would make you think he's another Damien.  Not so. But despite that, this book stands its ground as an example of how quickly society (and our civilized nature) can disintegrate. Acts of cruelty are balanced with characters that are both noble and compassionate.  The time period, 1938, provides a great parallel between the young boys turning against Leo and the beginning of Hitler's attempt to commit genocide.

What I most enjoyed was Tryon's writing style.  He has an extremely elegant way of writing that you don't see often in more contemporary writers. It's always nice when an author makes you go to the dictionary without being obnoxious about it. This is worth the read. Sad and bittersweet with a bit of hope at the end.

But my favorite Tryon novel is "Harvest Home." Want something to freak you out? Read that one. It's not a slasher, gore or hardcore horror piece. It's a lot more subtle than that. What makes it so creepy and a story that sticks with you is that it could actually happen. 

The Author

Author Tidbit: Thomas Tryon was an actor before he became a published writer. Some of his roles included the title role in The Cardinal and the Walt Disney television character Texas John Slaughter.