THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead

 THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD  by Colson Whitehead

My big problem with this book is: it doesn’t know what it is.  Is it historical fiction? Yes, and no. Is it science fiction? Yes, and no. Is it alternative universe/history? Yes, and no.  I had the uncomfortable feeling all while reading it that I was being played by the author. And that is not a comfortable -- or desirable -- feeling.

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD tells the story of Cora, a plantation slave, and her desire for freedom.  In this book, the underground railroad is just that – underground.  Many interlocking tunnels with a variety of engines and baggage/passenger cars traverse this railroad. Apparently no one hears or notices these steam engines or the building of the tunnels.  The slavery portion of the story is purely antebellum south and rings true. The rest of the story – not so much. 

The first half of the book found me wondering why I kept reading. The last half, I just wanted to know how Cora fared in this awkward world. I can’t recommend this book.

2 of 5 stars

THE FORGOTTEN ROOM by Lincoln Child

THE FORGOTTEN ROOM  by Lincoln Child

Here you have it – an exciting thriller with no profanity, no hot and heavy sex and little violence. Well, there is some violence – several murders, a grisly suicide (or maybe not a suicide), a crazy person or two, a secret room with diabolical machines and, of course, the hapless scholar cum detective. 

The characters are decently drawn, the plot is clear, the tension is heart stopping.  It is easy to see why Child is a bestselling author.  If you like mysteries that slowly draw you in and then amp up the tension, this is the book for you.  One of the best of the genre.

5 of 5 stars

SISTER OF MINE by Sabra Waldfogel

SISTER OF MINE  by Sabra Waldfogel

Although this novel takes place during the years of the Civil War, it is more a novel of two sisters  – one white, one black --  and how they learn to not just tolerate, but love each other. Adelaide is the white daughter of the largest plantation owner in their small town.  Rachel is her half-sister, born of her father’s liaison with one of his slaves.  Rachel serves as her sister’s maid. 

The novel backtracks to cover the earlier life of the family. In flashbacks, the family dynamics, Adelaide’s family’s Jewishness, Adelaide’s social punishment for a broken engagement, her later marriage and the repercussions of failing to love her husband are explored.  The Civil War serves to bring the plot to its conclusion.

The novel explores Jews in the South, marriage in wealthy families, the plight of slaves, abolition and slave owners, social conventions in antebellum Southern states, and the dynamics of slaves bearing the master’s children. 

The characters are well drawn and act and speak in reasonable terms. Good research has been done.  The plot is creative and interesting.

4 of 5 stars 

ASHES OF FIERY WEATHER by Kathleen Donoghoe

ASHES OF FIERY WEATHER  by Kathleen Donohoe

This novel of firemen and their families was hard to read. Not because many of the fireman died, but because the novel was constantly jumping from past to present then back to a different time in the past then back to present – all in the same chapter.  The writing is clear and even lyrical in places but the book jumped from character to character so often I was constantly turning back to the family diagram to see who and what time period the story had suddenly shifted to. 

After I finished the book, it felt as though there were so many stories there wasn’t one story.  Each of the various stories felt incomplete in some way.  Perhaps a winnowing of the characters and more depth for fewer would have felt more “finished. I enjoyed many of the mini-stories and liked most of the characters, but all in all, I was disappointed in the book.

3 of 5 stars

SALT TO THE SEA by Ruta Sepetys

SALT TO THE SEA  by Ruta Sepetys

Although a young adult novel, this tale of the end of World War II and the refugee ship Wilhelm Gustloff will also appeal to all who like historical fiction.  Sepetys knows her subject well and is able to clearly voice each of the teens fleeing the fall of Germany. Each of the four teens tells their own story in alternating chapters, but the result is a devastatingly clear tale of desperation.

A nurse, a possible spy, a pregnant girl, a sailor aboard the doomed ship --  each adds their part as the story races to its conclusion. Sepetys is an excellent writer of atmosphere and character who is able to maintain tension throughout the novel.

Teens will love this book as will their elders. This would be a good book for a mother-daughter book group or any group interested in World War II and historical fiction.

5 of 5 stars

CITY OF SHADOWS by Araina Franklin

CITY OF SHADOWS  by Ariana Franklin

What is not to like – the Grand Duchess Anastasia lives, a serial murderer is running amok, Hitler rises in a devastated Germany, an honest policeman is in a warren of corruption and a woman of mystery tries to survive. Although slow getting started, this thriller is truly a thriller.  There is enough actual history laced through the plot to give credence to the tale of murder, fraud and corruption amid a search for love, justice and honor.

Esther, who carries the plot, is the woman of mystery, scarred and scared. Nick is the flamboyant owner of the flashiest and finest cabarets in the world’s flashiest city, although a Berlin struggling under the crushing load of war debt. Anna, who may, or may not, be the Grand Duchess Anastasia,  survivor of the slaughter of her family and resident of an asylum for the mentally ill, is the center of the plotting and murder that swirls around her. Connecting them all is Inspector Schmidt trying to maintain honesty and humanity is a city devoid of both.

The writing is vivid and shows a city devastated by war and greed and slowly coming under the domination of Hitler and his coterie of murderous goons.  Ahh, the murders – the stripper, the good wife, the tale bearer, the innocent and more and more.  Who will survive, who will die, will justice prevail, will love triumph, is Anna really Anastasia, and if not, who is she?  All questions searching for answers.

5 of 5 stars

OUT OF MY MIND by Sharon Draper

Melody, eleven years old, is brilliant. She also has spastic bilateral quadriplegia (cerebral palsy), is confined to a wheelchair and cannot speak. When she gets a Medi-Talker that allows her to communicate, her life changes. 

OUT OF MY MIND tells Melody’s story of being confined in so many ways until her Medi-Talker arrives and the changes it makes in her life and the lives of those around her.  Told sensitively and with compassion, it also tells of the story of a “normal” pre-teen confined in a disability. Draper writes with clarity. Melody is a well-rounded character as are her mother and father, neighbor and mentor, personal assistant and, most importantly, the other fifth graders and teachers in both her “special” classes and her “inclusive” classes.

Book groups (adult, teen, mother-daughter) will all find many topics for discussion including disabilities, friendship, jealousy, cliques, “special” education and others. Many of the topics will resonate with all teens and pre-teens who struggle with image, self-confidence and differences.

5 of 5 stars