Review- A House Without Windows

A House Without Windows
by Nadia SashimiWilliam Morrow (August 16, 2016)

• ISBN-10: 0062449680

• ISBN-13: 978-0062449689

• Hardcover: 432 pages

Wisteria's Review

I must begin by saying that like other reviewers have noted: I also reread many chapters in this exquisite novel centered on the protagonist Zeba, a fiercely strong and unselfishly determined Afghan woman. 

Yusuf, a native Afghan male is a young and eager lawyer. He recently returned to Afghanistan after living with his parents in New York.  Yusuf hears about the case and meets with Zeba at the prison. Yusuf soon discovers to his dismay that Zeba is an uncooperative client. Yet, reluctantly she agrees to his representation in her defense.  However, in order to save Zeba's life he is confronted with the difficult task of uncovering answers, but for now he only has endless questions. 

As the story begins, Zeba a dutiful Afghan wife and mother is found near the lifeless body of her husband. The cause of death an obvious blow to his skull with a hatchet. Naturally, family and friends are horrified by the discovery. Zeba is naturally accused of murder as she is the only one in the yard with him.  She is taken to the woman's prison in Kabul, Chil Mahtab. Her children confused and helpless are whisked away to live with Zeba's husband's family.  


Nadia Hashimi is a masterful storyteller. Be prepared to be entranced with each page by her poetic prose and equally engaging plot that meanders as a  hurricane erratic and unexpected.   As a result, the writer skillfully enhances the readers curiosity. Hashimi obviously knows her novel's direction, but as a reader you have no idea what's about to unfold.  The suspense is relentless. 

Nadia Hashimi is a polished storyteller. I still yearn to reread passages. I still have thoughts regarding Afghan women and their lack of human rights, women's rights and substandard status. I can't help but compare and reflect on this culture's norms.  I cried many times, I ached for Zeba and the other women prisoners whose reasons for imprisonment are inconceivable. to me. 


Woman's rights throughout our country and the world are of great interest and concern to me. For that reason, I read countless books that depict women who suffer and are controlled by the male dominated society where ever they reside.   A HOUSE WITHOUT WINDOWS by Nadia Hashimi is by far  an exceptional novel.  Written with this author's heart, it is an emotionally satisfying and unforgettable read!

This book has melody, harmony and discord beautifully orchestrated from the beginning to its conclusion. I know I won't soon forget this story of Zeba and everyone's inner struggles to gain justice. 

Disclosure: 

I want to thank Lauren Lauzon from William Morrow for providing a copy of this book for my candid unbiased review. 

Other books by Nadia Hashimi

One Half From the East

When the Moon is Low

The Pearl That Broke It's Shell

~ Wisteria Leigh October 2016

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2016). Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Review: Cascade by Maryanne O'Hara

CASCADE

Maryanne O'Hara
Viking 2012
ISBN 9780670026029
Hardback,  378 pages
$26.95






It is 1935, the country is in the chokehold of the Great Depression, and Desdemona Hart would do just about anything to help her father. William Hart, actor and owner of the Cascade Shakespeare Theater, is in failing health and close to bankruptcy. With her tuition unpaid, she must return home to Cascade, Massachusetts, leaving her budding career as an artist behind. She marries Asa Spaulding in order to provide stability and shelter for her father.

Desdemona appears to settle for a less-than-perfect marriage. She honestly cares for Asa, but his desire to start a family immediately makes her shudder, and so she secretly tracks her fertile ovulation days each morning. Even though William Hart adores his daughter, he reveals that he changed his will to make Asa the beneficiary of his theater. To make matters worse, legislation may pass to allow Cascade to be flooded to create a reservoir. Dez then meets Jacob Solomon, a talented artist who sparks an instantaneous allure that is almost too great to ignore.

Dez is a conflicted character who faces life-changing decisions. Her situation is complex, and her choices are anything but straightforward. Jacob Solomon is Jewish, and the reader becomes a witness to the hostile prejudice that often impinges on innocent lives. The author also deftly looks at the social norms of this time period. Women’s rights and expectations regarding marriage, divorce, children, birth control and property rights were vastly different 80 years ago. CASCADE  is an insightful, sensitive, and important novel of our social history which reads with clarity and authenticity. Maryanne O’Hara shares the difficult, limited freedom and choices that women were raised to accept but which they frequently challenged. 


July, 2012
Wisteria Leigh





Disclosure:
I was sent a free copy of this book from HNR for review and publication. The review is submitted without bias. 

This review originally appeared in Historical Novels Society Issue 61, August 2012. 
http://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/cascade/

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2013].

City of Women-A Personal Favorite of 2012

 

Personal Favorite 2012
FTC: ARC from HNR Magazine
Review will be in August Issue. 
Photo: Library Thing























© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2010].

Review-The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen

 

 
THE SECRETS OF MARY BOWSER,
Lois Leveen
William Morrow
2012, pb, 496pb
978-0-06-2107909.








Lois Leveen will admit that when she studied The Civil War in school she found it to be rather dull. For the author, it wasn’t until she began to examine the social and cultural climate during the war, rather than specific battles that defined the war that changed her opinion. Fortunately for the reader, Leveen begins a search to answer a few curious questions. The result is a blend of known history and her imagined historical fiction surrounding the lives of three people who spied for the Union they were Mary Bowser, Elizabeth “Bet” Van Lew and Thomas McNiven.


This story takes place in Richmond Virginia where Mary is a house slave for the affluent Van Lew family.  The Van Lew’s have a daughter Elizabeth who has strong abolitionist views.  It is “Bet” who notices that Mary is quite bright. Although she can not read, she has a unique memory and demonstrates a quick mind. When Elizabeth manumits Mary, she arranges to send her to live in Philadelphia to attend school. Years later, Mary returns to Richmond to join with “Bet” to spy for the North. Mary, assumes the identity of a slave and works for Jefferson Davis and his wife. With clever irony Mary assumes the part of an illiterate and simple minded slave who actually has a photographic mind, is highly educated and has a natural mature poise. “Bet” Van Lew is believed to be pro-South, but is a true abolitionist. With her Southern charm and hospitality she apparently eludes suspicion.
  

The Secrets of Mary Bowser is an irresistible story of espionage and bravery.  Leveen has opened up the souls and minds of people who lived during this divisive war.   Whether slave, abolitionist, soldier, slaveholder, woman, freed African American, northerner or southerner, the Civil War impacted peoples’ lives beyond each gruesome and gory battle in disparate ways.   To this day, there is an unquenchable allure for books, articles, photos and anything about the Civil War. What makes this period of American History so compelling?  Perhaps it is a desire to seek understanding as we unravel the evil mark that slavery left on our history. The Secrets of Mary Bowser will satisfy those seeking historical fact and lovers of historical fiction who search for any perspective that will move us a step closer to understanding the disunion to e pluribus unum.


Wisteria Leigh, May 21, 2012

Disclosure: 
Copy of book received from TLC Tours for review.  
Alternate copy purchased :Kindle edition. 
 
 © [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2012].

Review-Jerusalem Maiden, Talia Carner

Jerusalem Maiden
by Talia Carner
Harper Collins
June 2011
978-0-06-200437-6
$14.00, 464 pp.

 Review by Wisteria

Strong women heroines who defy the expectations and gender limits that define their culture amaze and often inspire.  If not for women who question their place, seek to achieve more and refuse to accept the status quo, the world would be static and dull. Generic role models provide fine examples and offer direction, but what about those women who question and seek more?

Jerusalem Maiden is a sensitive and poignant novel about Esther Kaminsky, an Ultra-Orthodox woman who lives in Jerusalem. Her lifelong conflict between her expected role and her desire to fulfill her artistic passion is arduous and painful.  Her future is God’s will, a script that leaves no room for improvisation. She is expected to marry, produce sons with the hope that she will deliver the Messiah.  One day, her French teacher notices her sketches have promise. From then on she secretly takes art lessons as her religious dogma wavers. The stage is now set for an enormous fissure of faith that will become a defining struggle for Esther.

Talia Carner’s prose is expressive and flows with ease.  The setting is imaginatively realized with a photographer’s eye.  Esther will be remembered as a tangible heroine with an indomitable presence. Easily, a top pick for 2011.  Highly recommended.


Book provided by Library Thing. (Early Reviewers)

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2011].

Review-A Fierce Radiance by Lauren Belfer

A FIERCE RADIANCE
by Lauren Belfer
Harper/Harper Collins Publishers
$25.99/$33.99 Can; 544 pages
ISBN 13 : 9780061252518
On Sale: 6/15/2010


Taken for granted now, it is hard to fathom that prior to WWII a person could die from a minor scratch just as easily as pneumonia and other staphylococcal bacterium. During the war, soldiers were seriously wounded in mass numbers often recovering from wounds yet later died from infection. The government saw penicillin as a critical weapon of war. By saving lives lost from infection, troops could be returned to the war to fight again.

The government recruited pharmaceutical companies like Merck and Pfizer among others to focus all research on the development, production, clinical trials and ultimately the administration of penicillin. To stem competition the government disallowed a patent on penicillin. However, these same companies worked furiously to develop alternate patentable antibiotics that would prove more lucrative.

A Fierce Radiance is an absorbing fictional account of this momentous, life changing scientific discovery that became the medical breakthrough of the decade. The story takes place just after Pearl Harbor in New York City, 1941. Claire Shipley is a famous photojournalist who works for Life magazine. Her assignment is to cover the story of the miracle drug penicillin as it is administered and tested on a dying patient at the Rockefeller Institute. Claire is a witness to the patient’s recovery. The drug works! Unfortunately, without sufficient supply on hand, the patient relapses and dies. Deemed by her boss, Henry Luce, magazine mogul and husband of Clare Booth Luce as too depressing, too controversial her story never will not run.

What follows is the sudden violent death of the beautiful young assiduous mycologist, Tia Stanton, sister of Claire’s new boyfriend Jamie. Tia’s impressive research was startling one formula showed positive results with hopeful promise.
Claire’s life becomes the lens and conduit for Belfer’s compelling story.

Her daughter Emily died very young, a victim of illness that had penicillin been around would have saved her. Divorced, she now lives with her son Charlie. Her father, Edward Rutherford, is a lonely millionaire, estranged for years and absent from her childhood. Recently he has pursued a father-daughter relationship they never had.

Rutherford learns about the new miracle drug and its healing possibilities. He invests his money in a new pharmaceutical company and joins the penicillin race. When Jamie Stanton accuses Rutherford of killing his sister Tia, Claire’s world appears to collapse.

A Fierce Radiance takes you back to the exciting age of discovery and the highly charged days during World War II when the race to win the war was in everyone’s hearts. Belfer succeeds in recreating the fury of this historical period with astute memoir like details. Claire stands out as a resilient character who will be remembered for her strength, faith and ability to forgive. A memorable impressively written story with timely relevance.


Disclosure: This copy of A Fierce Radiance was sent to me by the publisher, Harper Collins.

Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

I read Little Women for a graduate course in American History this past year. I did not post my review at the time, but have included it now as it is one of my top pics for 2009. My review speaks for itself, a timeless treasured classic that I was happy to read again.

Little Women
Louisa May Alcott
Barnes and Noble Classic
528 pages




Louisa May Alcott has always been a woman I admire because of her success as an author, particularly writing Little Women. How amazing for a woman writer in 1868 to sell out the first printing in four weeks. Today, this would be a feat equivalent to making the New York Times Best Seller List, followed by an honored location at Borders with a red 30% off sticker. Quite possibly her book would have been an Oprah Book Club selection. No doubt Ms. Alcott and her publisher would be waiting nervously for the announcement for the coveted Newbery Award for Children’s Literature. I would venture to say that she would have collected all of these awards and many others.

There are many women children’s authors who write realistic fiction today, with striking differences. Louisa May Alcott wrote her story with the idea of selling books. This is what prolific best selling authors do today. Children’s authors like Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary and Paula Danzinger(deceased). They repeat the same winning format, book after book with different characters, different setting and a few changes. In her time, wasn’t this what she was doing? Todays, authors of children’s books were not without controversy. Judy Blume, has been on the 100 Most Banned and Frequently Challenged Books per the American Library Association numerous times over the years. Her books are taught in school, shelved in libraries, continue to raise eyebrows and continue to make money.

Alcott didn’t have a winning format yet, this was her first book and she chose to eliminate her controversial opinions. She knew any inclusion of this talk would alienate readers, and she was her best publicist. There are several places in the book where Jo speaks about her writing,

“Sorry you couldn’t find nothing better to read. I write that rubbish because it sells, and ordinary people like it.”

Alcott has admitted the character of Jo is autobiographical so I wonder, is Little Women a product of her attempt to sell books? Women in her time were expected to marry, yet this was not Alcott’s view, preferring to make her own money, supporting herself and deciding not to marry. When Jo gets married in Little Women, even though, contrary to her personal preference. There is no disputing her incredibly brilliant talent as a 19th century writer who has withstood the test of the classics. However, writing was always her way to make money to help support her family.

Louisa May Alcott lived in the midst of the Civil War, believed in the abolitionist movement, women's rights, including the unpopular belief she held that women did not need to marry. Yet, in her book, we read a text that is devoid of these issues, in the style of our 1960s television show Father Knows Best, or perhaps the Brady Bunch. These shows were entertainment lacking controversy and continued long commercial success. Had she decided to write on the cutting edge and offer a book with a host of disputable topics, I doubt she would have achieved such overwhelming success.

Through the guidance of Mrs. March the March sisters learn a core set of values including self-control, self-denial, a strong work ethic, an altruistic behavior and the need for balance between work and play. Mrs. March in fact was the prominent parent in this book, yet in Alcott’s real life her father, influenced the family on a daily basis.

Could it be that his strict control the adherence to his transcendental beliefs was so constrictive that Louisa May Alcott decided to portray the vision of a father she wished she had? Why were all the other characters autobiographical and mirrored so much of her life? Yet, her father, who at one point wanted to leave his wife and children would have been scandalous, not a great image for selling books at that time.

The portrayal and behavior of the March sisters could take place in the 21st century. It would still be a best seller, but it would be an even greater commercial success if she included the controversial dogma she espoused yet omitted in Little Women. Women's rights, domesticity, women in the workforce, are topics still drawing readers to bookshelves. In fact, these debated issues would sell more books.

When I read this book as a teen and young adult, my impressions were not based on the author, but directed at the content of the book. I gravitated to Jo and her spunky personality, I wanted to be her. After all, we were almost alike, so I thought. I was the tom-boy in the family, the bookworm, the funny girl, a bit eccentric at times the writer and I never wanted to get married.

After reading the book numerous times, this is the first time I examined the author in the context of the period, looking at in counter-factually. She was not only a successful writer, but a publicist with vision, with modern marketing skills, because she knew her audience, knew what they wanted to read, and was able to give them what they wanted. I would have enjoyed talking with Louisa May Alcott, a women who I consider an anachronism in history.

Disclosure: Provided by TAH grant for graduate class.

The Widow's War-by Mary Mackey

THE WIDOW’S WAR, Mary Mackey, Berkley Trade Paperback,9/1/09,$15.00US/$18.50CAN, pb, 368pp.


Carolyn Vinton and Dr. William Saylor, both abolitionists were to get married, when he suddenly disappears. As the family assumes he is dead, Carrie is left grieving, pregnant and alone. When Deacon Presgrove, William’s stepbrother offers to give the baby a name, Carrie accepts his offer to wed.

It is 1853 in the years heating up to the Civil War. The Kansas Territory is a battle ground between pro-slavery and the abolitionist factions. Carrie soon learns that her father in law, the famous senator is pro slavery. Feeling betrayed by Deacon, then learning that William is not dead, but alive, Carrie decides to break free to find William.

This is a novel to read again and again. Mackey creates fairy tale magic when she brings together the star-crossed pair of Carolyn Vinton and Dr. William Saylor. This is one of those, “non-stop, can’t put down” books. Carrie’s character is dynamic and strong, a woman of presence and grace. The sparks fly between Carrie and William with a magnetic field of attraction surrounding them. There are few lovers in literature with this connectivity and Mackey’s pair are sensational.

The story is peppered with intricate deception and edgy climactic tension that builds with increasing curiosity till the conclusion. Mackey has created a well researched romantic historical fiction. John Brown, Kansas Nebraska Act, Bloody Kansas and other events are credible, real and memorable. This would be an excellent companion novel when studying the American Civil War in high school or beyond. No doubt The Widow’s War will be one of the “Best of 2009”.

Review-The Tory Widow

The Tory Widow
Christine Blevins
BerkleyTrade
$15.00/C$18.50
0425226018
400p.2009





Fireworks occur when the irresistible characters in Christine Blevins’ new novel, The Tory Widow come together in New York City in 1775.

After Anne and Peter Merrick are married a kiss takes place just minutes after this arranged marriage-but not between husband and wife. An overzealous handsome stranger leaps out of nowhere to seize and kiss Anne. Sadly she is disenchanted with her husband, a man old enough to be her father, whose breath reeks of onion. The young man is the brazen Jack Hampton, a member of the Sons of Liberty who is a bit drunk from celebrating the repeal of the Stamp Act, and his kiss lingers in Anne's mind like a stubborn stain.

Years later in 1775, Anne is widow with no means of support. She decides to continue printing the Tory propaganda that her husband favored even though she did not. As the Patriots create havoc in the city no Loyalist is safe. Businesses are ruined, people are tarred and feathered and frun out of town.

One day Anne is visited by the Sons of Liberty whose leader is none other than Jack Hampton. She recognizes him as the Patriot bandit who stole a kiss years ago. He is nothing like his former self. Completely changed he is a wild rogue, an evil enemy, and a heartless rebel. He leaves her in desperate straits as they demolish the presses leaving the place in shambles.

Anne refuses to give up. She is a tenacious woman with strength and creativity who reopens as a tea shop, with a new Patriot sign.

Unable to avoid the allure of Jack Hampton and that kiss,she cannot resist his charm.
When he realizes she is not a Tory and gains her trust, she joins his cause and is prepared this time to commit to being a Patriot. The relationship is not a smooth ride as complications interfere. Anne becomes involved with a Loyalist officer who is quartered in her home. His name is Edward Blankenship,a handsome, polite, gentlemen who adores Anne. Jack and Edward enemies in war and enemies in romance fighting on two fronts, makes this story a captive tale. .

A thought provoking ending sets up the possibility of a sequel. Let’s hope. Escape to another era in this mesmerizing historical fiction romance of the American Revolution. Blevins has created plausible compelling characters who live outside the pages, romantic tension and sizzling hot dialogue you won’t believe.

Wisteria Leigh
©

Woman of a Thousand Secrets by Barbara Wood

Woman of a Thousand Secrets is a well researched historical epic revolved around Tonina, who is found floating down a river in a basket as an infant. She is raised by a childless couple until she comes of age and the couple knows they must send her off the island to find her real people. On a ruse that her grandfather is gravely ill, Tonina is sent away to find a red flower that will cure him. She always assume she will return to the island. Little does she know that in her search for the red flower she will discover her past and the beginning of an exciting future. There will be an island in her future, but where will it be?
Tonina’s journey will teach her many things but learning about the many ways to love will emerge. She learns about the love of friendship from Brave Eagle who will be there when she most needs him. She learns about passion and deep sexual desirous love from her husband Kaan. Lastly, she learns the special bond of a sons' love from Tenoch.

I felt there are two key themes in the story. One is the connectivity of the universe, and the cause and effect of what we do. Tonina and Kaan are always seeking to balance the world to appease the gods. The Aztec people was also a story of many cultures living together as one. This is also true in the story as Kaan succeeds in securing peace among the various fighting people and their chiefs. The second theme is the classic good versus evil throughout the story evident in the characters of Balam and Kaan, our modern day super heroes.

The success of this book will be partly in the obvious research the author needed to do. She has taken this background material and has created vivid images and lush scenery of the ancient Aztec culture interwoven throughout. As you read you envision every building, symbol, geographic location, and other cultural representations because of the author’s careful attention to detail. Each scene is a 3D visual treat in color and texture.

Woman of a Thousand Secrets is a wondrously entertaining story with global depth. I can’t wait to read another book by Barbara Wood, I thoroughly devoured this one!