Black Rabbit Ink

Bookshelf Review: ROOM

Title: Room: A Novel

Author: Emma Donoghue

From the back cover:

To five-year-old-Jack, Room is the world....

It's where he was born, it's where he and his Ma eat and sleep and play and learn.  There are endless wonders that let loose Jack's imagination-the snake under Bed that he constructs out of eggshells, the imaginary world projected through the TV, the coziness of Wardrobe beneath Ma's clothes, where she tucks him in safely at night, in case Old Nick comes.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it's the prison where she's been held since she was nineteen-for seven long years.  Through her fierce love for her son, she has created a life for him in that eleven-by-eleven-foot space. But Jack's curiosity is building alongside her own desperation-and she knows that Room cannot contain either indefinitely....

Told in the inventive, funny, and poignant voice of Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience-and a powerful story of a mother and son whose love lets them survive the impossible.

Review:

Before I even begin this review, let me say one thing – ROOM is going to break your heart, over and over again. I was hesitant to begin this novel, afraid that the darkness of the subject matter was too much to handle. And at certain points, it almost was.

Our narrator for this story is 5 year old Jack, a little boy whose whole life has been spent in an 11 X 11 shack.  This device could be a tricky - even gimmicky – one to pull off, and occasionally it is a bit difficult to sort out Jack’s thoughts and blunt observations.  The story begins with Jack telling us how he was “four last night going to sleep in Wardrobe, but when I wake up in Bed in the dark I'm changed to five, abracadabra”.  Jack’s world is small. Just him, his Ma, and the things in their room. It is the only world he has ever known, and he’s happy to spend his days playing games with Ma or watching Dora the Explorer. But there are several things in his world that he doesn’t understand, including why he can't have a dog or why he has to go to sleep in Wardrobe before Old Nick arrives at night.

Donoghue subtley reveals the sickness of the situation through Jack’s reflections. We know the horrible reality of what is going on as Jack hides quietly in the dark of the closet and counts the creaks of the mattress after Old Nick enters ROOM. We know that Jack’s happiness in his little world, the only one he has ever known, is a sharp contrast to Ma’s pain of being taken away from hers. We know Ma is desperate to escape, willing to do whatever she (or Jack) has to do to save both of them before it is too late.

The novel is weighted more towards psychological suspense than graphic details. The plot is simple but powerful, leading to a drastic turn of events that make Jack question which is better: the world Ma created for him or one that has left both of them far behind? Most of the characters are solidly written and realistic, although a couple did come across as one-dimensional and perfunctory. There are a few portions of the story that seem to be bogged down by excessive dialogue, but overall the novel’s pace is quick.

I do wish there had been more background on Ma’s life during those years where she had to survive alone, after her abduction and before Jack was born. Seeing what her character had been like before she became “Ma” would have really rounded her out. But the story is told from Jack’s POV; it makes sense that we would not be privy to this information because it is not something Jack would know.  However, Donoghue does provide a few clues to this time that Jack picks up from Ma’s conversations with others, including one very poignant twist to Ma’s story.

Is this novel disturbing? Yes. Don’t let that scare you. There is a lot of light in its darkness. Once you’ve entered Jack’s world it will be hard to leave.  This story is one that will haunt you long after you’ve finished that last page.

ROOM will be available in bookstores September 13, 2010.

Bookshelf Review: When Good Wishes Go Bad

Title: When Good Wishes Go Bad

Author: Mindy Klasky

From the back cover:

Rebecca Morris is suffering from an excess of magic!

Things that have disappeared: her boyfriend; her life savings; three-and-a-half million dollars from the theater company that pays both their salaries. (Coincidence? Um, no.) Also, the groundbreaking play she's been slaving over has vanished in a puff of copyright-colored smoke.

Other, weirder things that have appeared: a magic lamp complete with genie wishes. A fully furnished (and paid-for) Manhattan condo and fabulous designer wardrobe. (The last two courtesy of the first one, obvs.)

So Becca's putting that last wish on hold. What with discovering a mesmerizing new play, getting it onstage and falling hard for the adorably awkward guy who wrote it, Becca is swamped. And that's without factoring in the guerrilla gardener, popcorn magnate and the gender-bending genie with an agenda of his/her own.

Now Becca's hoping that her good wishes don't go oh, so wrong….

Review:

When Good Wishes Go Bad is a delightful story that will please readers looking for a different way to satisfy their supernatural reading needs without vampires or werewolves. In it, author Mindy Klasky deftly swirls a mix of magic, humor, and romance to create a lighthearted but engaging tale of genies, wishes, and that age old adage: be careful what you wish for – you just might get it.

Klasky always has a good story to tell, and When Good Wishes Go Bad does not disappoint. The great thing about her books is that her characters are always lively and unique.  Statistic quoting genie Teel has the potential to border on annoying but is instead quite entertaining. Becca, the down on her luck Dramaturg*, and Ryan, the shy playwright that just might be able to save Becca’s job and heart, are richly layered and very likable, both separately and together. Supporting characters are amusing and add unexpected oomph to the story, particularly Ryan’s rebellious mother and the egocentric Ronald.

The plot moves along swiftly, fueled by Teel’s unpredictable antics and some unusual subplots involving guerrilla gardening and increasingly horrid popcorn flavors.  The romance between Becca and Ryan is sweetly sexy, and a few surprising twists keep things interesting. One of the best parts of the story, however, is the way Klasky fully immerses her readers in the main setting – the theater – with descriptions of casting calls, set problems, blocking issues, and other everyday nuances of theater life.  

This is the second book in Mindy Klasky’s As You Wish series which, admittedly, I am not enjoying quite as much as her Jane Madison series. Maybe I just relate more to a librarian that discovers she’s a witch than to a shape/gender shifting genie with a wicked streak of sarcasm. However, I did have a lot of fun reading this book and am looking forward to finding out where Klasky takes her genie in the next one.

 
*Yes, I had to look it up too. A dramaturg is a specialist in the art or technique of dramatic composition and theatrical representation (Merriam Webster). For a more in-depth explanation, check out Mindy Klasky’s blog post, Defining the New: Dramaturgy.

Bookshelf Review: Fear the Worst

Title: Fear the Worst: A Novel

Author: Linwood Barclay

When his daughter, Syd, doesn’t come home from work, Tim Blake starts to worry. When he goes to the hotel she works at to try and find her, worry turns to panic. No one - front desk clerks, managers, anyone on the staff - has ever heard of Sydney Blake.  Weeks pass as Tim struggles to find his daughter, following any lead he can. But with each secret he uncovers, with each step closer to the truth, he begins to question everything he thought he knew about Syd. And fear the worst. 

One of the great things about Fear the Worst is that it is high on tension but low on gore, perfect for anyone who loves to read thrillers but hates the graphic descriptions of blood and bodies that fill the pages of other books.The plot is extremely suspenseful and unpredictable with many, many, many twists and turns. Some of the situations that occur are a bit over the top but, though they might seem slightly implausible, they are definitely not boring.

The story moves swiftly forward with a lot of action and several little mysteries that intertwine the characters' stories tightly together. Characters are unique, each with his or her own voice and agenda. But don't assume anything; just when you think you have figured everything out, Barclay takes a hard 180 degree turn and everything you thought you knew turns out to be wrong. 

This book is difficult to put down. It is packed with action, complex characters, and an intriguing plot. If you have a few hours to kill and are looking for a fun, fast paced read, this is it.

Fear the Worst will be in bookstores August 11, 2009.

Bookshelf Review: The Angel's Game

Title: The Angel's Game

Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon (Translated by Lucia Graves)

David Martin is obsessed with two things: his dream to be a respected writer and his desire to be with a woman he can never have. Life has made obtaining either impossible. He makes his living writing penny dreadful novels, a career that pays his bills but leaves him feeling dissatisfied.  His attempt at a serious novel is a flop, and the woman he loves becomes engaged to someone else. Enter mysterious publisher Andreas Corelli with an opportunity to write a book for which “people will live and die” and David will be marvelously compensated. But soon, strange and deadly tragedies begin to plague him, one by one.  Tragedies that leave him questioning Corelli’s true intentions, as well as his own. 

This book is an odd thing. On one hand, I was able to put it down without an urgent need to pick it back up again and continue the story. Rather than read it in one sitting, I took weeks to finish it. On the other hand, though, I could not stop thinking about it. Zafon’s sentences, his words, his imagination…all are absolutely mesmerizing. 

The setting - Barcelona in the early 20th century – is magnificently described in vivid detail, with brilliant imagery that turns the streets of Barcelona into an enchanting background for David’s story.  Zafon does an excellent job of creating a surreal world of haunting beauty that is full of life. Characters are interesting and unique as well, especially Isabella.  There are several characters to keep up with, though, and some of the more secondary ones become lost in the shuffle.  A few are introduced, but their possible subplots never fully realized. 

The plot is very complex and, at times, a little slow. But, it has many twists and turns, each revealing another tantalizing layer to the gothic world Zafon has created. Several little mysteries entice readers to keep turning pages: people disappear or are murdered, relationships are betrayed, and the line separating villain from victim becomes blurred. Then there are the questions surrounding Diego Marlasca, the man previously contracted to write Corelli’s book. The man who went mad and killed himself. The man whose abandoned mansion David has unknowingly chosen to make his own. Slowly, David begins to notice the eerie parallels between his life and Marlasca’s, and finds himself trapped in a sinister game he might not be able to win.   

The Angel’s Game is a dark book.  It is also quite lengthy, occasionally difficult to follow, and the ending is rushed with vague closure. Despite this, though, it is truly an intriguing read. While some plot resolutions may be a bit confusing, Zafon’s mastery in storytelling is undeniable. I will definitely be reading his first novel, The Shadow of the Wind, as soon as I get a chance.

Bookshelf Review: The Marriage Bureau for Rich People

Name:The Marriage Bureau for Rich People

Author: Farahad Zama

Mr. Ali, an Indian man bored with retirement, opens a marriage bureau. Soon, business is booming and he has several customers, each with a list of requirements for heights, castes, wealth, looks, and reputations. As problems arise in the process, Mr. Ali is quick to dole out tidbits of wisdom on marriage and families to alleviate the tension. But, while solving his client's problems might be simple, working through the issues disrupting his life – including a son who is leading a rebellion against the government and an assistant distracted by her own marriage related woes – might be more than he can handle.


The story, told from the viewpoints of both Mr. Ali and his assistant Aruna, is a lighthearted glimpse into the intricacies of arranged marriages and the relationships they form, as well as an exploration of India’s culture, traditions, and politics. The plot is not suspenseful; about halfway through, it becomes obvious how this story will end. It also moves slowly, with  little action and occasional bits of awkward dialogue. However, Zama’s characters, especially Mr. and Mrs. Ali, are so likable and interesting that it doesn’t really matter. The story is also helped by richly depicted settings which allow readers to feel the blistering heat of the afternoon sun, taste the dryness of the dusty roads, and smell the thick scent of mangoes in an orchard.

Readers not familiar with India’s castes/sub-castes or the city of Vizag might want to begin with the excerpts from Mrs. Ali's English essays, which are placed at the end of the book. The background information these offer is helpful in understanding the situations that occur in the story.



Overall, The Marriage Bureau for Rich People is a charming and quick read. Some of the dialog is stiff, and the storyline is predictable, but colorful characters and an exotic setting make this book a page turner. 



The Marriage Bureau for Rich People will be in bookstores on June 11, 2009.

Bookshelf Review: Godmother - The Secret Cinderella Story

Name:Godmother - The Secret Cinderella Story

Author: Carolyn Turgeon

At first glance, Lil appears to be a regular old woman working at a used bookstore in New York. But Lil has a secret: she was once Cinderella's godmother. 

The fairy tale the world knows, the one that has been passed down from generation to generation? It’s a lie. In reality, Lil failed to get Cinderella to the ball and instead attended it herself, resulting in a tragedy no one expected. As punishment, she was banished from her underwater fairy world and forced to live among humans.

Centuries of separation from her sisters and her home have beaten Lil down. She aches with loneliness, stuck in routines and drowning in the emptiness that has become her life. And the wings - the white feathery wings that won't fly and must be tightly taped across her back - only serve as a reminder of everything that has been taken away. She would give anything for a chance to fix her mistake and return home. 



Opportunity presents itself in a young girl named Veronica, who comes into the store with books to sell. The vivacious girl is a perfect match for George, Lil's bookish boss. When George reveals that he needs a date for a ball just like the fateful one Lil attended so many nights before, Lil believes it is a sign. She knows that if she can get Veronica and George to attend the ball together and fall in love, everything will be forgiven and she can finally go home. But can redemption really be so simple?



Turgeon’s darker version of Cinderella is whimsical, but definitely not light. She blends familiar elements from the classic story – fairy magic, ball gowns, the handsome prince, glass slippers, pumpkins, and stepsisters – with heavy themes of betrayal, guilt, desire, abandonment, aging, and forbidden love. Her prose is spellbinding, as is her use of details (books with "pages like onion skins", "streets rushing forward in black rivers") to deftly immerse readers in Lil’s enchanting world. The result is a magical, entertaining tale that is beautifully told.

The story alternates between scenes of Lil’s life in present day New York and flashbacks of her life as a fairy. This technique of mirroring the past with the present, as well as contrasting Lil’s lush fairy world with the gritty beauty of New York, provides readers with a comprehensive image of Lil and her motivations. Lil is a marvelously conflicted being, trapped between the consequences of her decisions and the desires that fueled them.

Characters are colorfully fleshed out. Veronica, the quirky hairdresser in love with anything vintage, is so full of life that she practically springs off of the page. George charmingly clicks as the reserved Yin to Veronica’s zestful Yang. Fairies, such as Maybeth and Lucibell, sparkle with playful mischief. And Cinderella, the source of Lil's guilt, is a broken girl, weighted down with raw insecurities and sadness for the abuses and losses she has suffered.

The one problem with this novel is the ending, which seems slightly rushed and annoyingly ambiguous. However, while Turgeon’s ending to this fairy tale is definitely not a hard cut happy one, it is haunting. Readers will be pondering Lil’s true fate for days after the final words are read and the book is closed.

Godmother – The Secret Cinderella Story is heartbreakingly lovely and extremely bittersweet. Due to a couple of sexual references and some complex themes, though, this surreal novel is most appropriate for older young adult and adult readers.

Bookshelf Review: Perfect Fifths

Name: Perfect Fifths: A Novel (Jessica Darling)

Author: Megan McCafferty

Perfect Fifths picks up three years after Jessica Darling reluctantly turned down Marcus Flutie’s marriage proposal in Fourth Comings. Both have convinced themselves that they have moved on. But have they? 

While racing through an airport in a frantic attempt to catch a flight, Jessica literally runs into Marcus, who has just gotten off of a plane from New Orleans. Neither is prepared for the feelings this encounter triggers.  The connection is still there, but why? When they find themselves stranded together at the airport, it’s a chance to find out once and for all: was meeting again a random fluke or are they honestly meant to be together, imperfections and all?

In Perfect Fifths, Megan McCafferty doesn’t hold anything back, which makes this novel difficult to put down without wanting to pick it right back up. It’s broken into four parts.

Parts One (Before) and Four (Enduring - Lasting) are told in third person, a departure from Jessica’s first person narrative in the previous novels. This time readers get to find out how Marcus views his relationship with Jessica, a change which provides an intensely personal and multi layered look at just how much Jessica and Marcus have matured over the last ten years.  They have made many mistakes, but they have learned from these and have evolved into actual adults. Readers that felt the characters, particularly Jessica, showed no character growth in the third and fourth books (Charmed Thirds and Fourth Comings) will definitely want to check out this final installment.

Part Two (During) is strictly the dialogue between Jessica and Marcus as they catch up on each other’s lives. It’s an interesting technique that reminded me of a Gilmore Girls episode. At times, this section seemed bumpy and perhaps a bit too wordy, but it did fill in a lot of blanks for the three year gap between novels.  Part Three (Enduring – Putting Up With), contains haikus between the two lovers and is only a few pages long. These two sections were not my favorite parts of the novel, but they also were not overly distracting from the story. In fact, they added a fresh and playful twist to it.

McCafferty’s dry wit and observation are strong as ever here, complete with kooky secondary characters (such as a Be You Tea Shoppe loving tween who can’t stop speaking to strangers) and several hilarious situations involving Barry Manilow. Best of all? With Perfect Fifths, McCafferty has provided one of most unexpected and romantic endings I have ever read. 

Anyone picking this up as a stand-alone novel will be pleasantly surprised and inspired to read the previous books chronicling Jessica’s earlier years, while die hard Jessica Darling fans will find a very satisfying end to the popular series. Be warned, though, that there are several references to sex and various male/female body parts, as well as lots of colorful language. This book should probably find its way into only the hands of older teen readers and adults.

Perfect Fifths will be in stores April 14, 2009.

Bookshelf Review: The Short Life and Mysterious Death of Amy Zoe Mason

Name: Journal: The Short Life and Mysterious Death of Amy Zoe Mason

Author: Kristine and Joyce Atkinson

Thoughts...Dreams...Secrets. There is something tempting about reading the hidden pages of someone's journal or diary. Something excitingly wicked. Whether it provides answers or creates questions, though, depends on who is reading it and how they interpret those private words. This is the case with Journal: The Short Life and Mysterious Death of Amy Zoe Mason.

A note at the beginning of the book states that the authors, Kristine and Joyce Atkinson, bought a desk at a resale shop. When they were refinishing it, they happened across a journal in a secret compartment. It belonged to Amy Zoe Mason, a young wife and mother.

Feeling alone after the death of her own mother, Amy decides to start documenting her thoughts in a journal. At first, her life seems to be hectic, but happy. Her husband, Robert, has just been appointed the Director of the Wentworth Heart Institute in Boston. Amy and the children stay behind in Houston while Robert goes on ahead of them to get settled. Enter a beautiful realtor who might have her eye on Robert and things start to disintegrate.

Amy chooses to use a water damaged old novel, Lucile by Owen Meredith, for her journal instead of a blank book. Details on each page, from the artwork to the random passages of Lucile peeking through, parallel Amy's mood and the events going on around her. The notes, newspaper clippings, photos, and emails are nice elements that move the story along while offering an intimate glance into Amy's life.

This is a quick and engaging read. However, the ending is a bit abrupt and confusing. There's no answer to the mystery, really. Personally, I was left feeling very unsatisfied, but only with the ending. Reading through the rest of the journal and examining Amy's mementos is captivating, while Amy's heartbreaking story makes the book hard to put down.

Although the authors have gone all out to make Amy's journal feel real, this is a work of fiction. A memorial site and a MySpace page belonging to Amy's daughter, as well as a basic page for Grant-Garamond Realty, have convinced some readers that this is a true story. The book's site further encourages its validity. The truth, though, is that this is not an actual journal.

Journal: The Short Life and Mysterious Death of Amy Zoe Mason is not for everyone. Those interested in altered art, scrapbooking or unique books will definitely be pleased. Others, especially those looking for solid mysteries, may want to check it out at their local library before purchasing.

* Books are chosen randomly from my personal collection, which includes new and old titles. Some older titles may no longer be in print but can possibly be found at your local library or on sites such as Alibris and Ebay.*

Bookshelf Reviews: Outside Over There

Name: Outside Over There (Caldecott Collection)

Author:  Maurice Sendak

I received this book when I was a younger. How young, I can't remember, but I'm guessing about 3 1/2, because that's when my little brother was born. I received it to no doubt ease the transition from only child to big sister. And, at its heart, this is a story about an older sister's love for her younger sibling. 

The story has a fairy tale quality in the vein of the Grimm Brothers. Ida is left with her mother and baby sister when her father goes off to sea. Her mother is so distraught she can only sit in the arbor and stare at the water. This leaves Ida to care for her sister, a task that Ida does not enjoy. While she is lost in her own little world, playing a horn to help the baby sleep, goblins come and steal her sister away to be their bride. Upon seeing the melting ice baby the goblins have left in her sister's place, Ida is furious and journeys out to rescue her.  

The book’s illustrations are enchanting. Each is layered with muted colors and intricate details. Shrouded goblins lurk everywhere; an ice baby melts on the floor; images of the sea in the background change with Ida's mood...it’s all hauntingly beautiful. 

The story itself can be a little awkward, as Sendak moves between free verse and rhyme on a whim. Parts of the story (Ida "made a serious mistake" and “climbed backwards out her window into outside over there”) are a bit confusing. While the actual story may be a little unclear, though, its themes are not.  

Abandonment:  Both of Ida’s parents are unavailable, one physically and one emotionally. Papa is away at sea and Mama can only wait in the arbor for his return.  Her sister is a baby, too young to be anything more to Ida than a nuisance. Ida can only rely on herself.

Empowerment: When tragedy strikes, it is up to Ida alone to save the day. She must use her resourcefulness and cunning to find her sister and outwit the goblins before it is too late.

Responsibility:  Ida was responsible for her sister, but because of her carelessness goblins were able to steal the baby away. Even though it might be scary, Ida knows she is responsible for what has happened. She accepts the consequences of her mistake and takes action to fix it.

Family:  It isn’t a fear of getting in trouble that motivates Ida to rescue her sister. It is a sibling bond, a need to protect her family.Ida doesn't want her sister to be a goblin bride; she loves her and wants her to be safe again. 

Conquering Fears: Goblins are scary, but Ida knows she needs to face them to save her sister. In the end, the goblins are only babies themselves, and Ida realizes that they aren't really scary at all.

One thing that draws children into the story is the fact that Ida is an ordinary girl, living an ordinary life. Yet, when the extraordinary happens, she is more than capable of handling herself and resolving the situation.

The story is a bit ambiguous in some places (what's with the eggshells?), but that may have been just what Sendak intended - to keep the story blanketed with mystery and get children to imagine their own explanations.

Critics might say the book is too scary and disturbing for young children. And it might be for some children, but not all. One child may have nightmares about being kidnapped by goblins, but another might be mesmerized by its dark undertones. Stating that it is inappropriate for all young children is unfair.  Ultimately, it is up to each parent to decide if this book is appropriate for their own child.

The book, through its themes and images, will spark childrens’ imaginations while providing an unusual and fairy tale-ish vibe to story time. Because of it’s creepy imagery, though, it may not be appropriate for all children. Parents should be sure to preview the book if they have any concerns.

* Books are chosen randomly from my personal collection, which includes new and old titles. Some older titles may no longer be in print but can possibly be found at your local library or on sites such as Alibris and Ebay.*

Bookshelf Reviews: Murder By Death

Name:  Murder By Death
Author: Henry Keating

This book was a movie tie-in for the film of the same name. 

The dialog follows the movie script almost word for word. However, unlike the movie, there is a lot of tell and not enough show. Every character is thinking. About the weather. About who's going to be murdered. About what happened the day before. And we get to read everyone's thoughts. It gets a little tedious after the first 10 pages.

Key plot points are altered from the movie, specifically the roles of Lionel Twain and Bensonmum, the  butler.  Bensonmum isn't blind, he's pretending. And Lionel Twain is more of a brat than a mastermind. He becomes one of those baddies who verbally relays every evil trick he has planned.These are two important characters and being able to know every idea running through their heads reduces them and the reason for the sleuth filled gathering into a when-will-the-others-catch-on farce instead of a funny mystery.

Most annoying is that several grammatical errors are sprinkled throughout the book, which, if you're like me, takes you out of reading mode and into editing mode. Not exactly fun if you can't get past the fact that people are afraid, not afrid.

The movie, starring greats such as David Niven and Elsa Lancaster, is hilarious in its stupidity. The ending makes no sense, some of the jokes fall flat, but it's lots of fun. The book, not as much.