Review of THE LIES THEY TOLD by Ellen Marie Wiseman (New Release)

 4 Stars

Most of this historical novel is set in Virginia in the 1930s.

It begins with 19-year-old Lena Conti, an unwed mother, arriving on Ellis Island after leaving Germany. She is accompanied by Ella, her 2-year-old daughter; Mutti, her widowed mother; and Enzo, her teenage brother. Because Enzo speaks poor English, he is labelled as feeble-minded and a possible burden to society, so he and Mutti are deported back to Germany. Lena and Ella are reluctantly picked up by Silas Wolfe, a distant family relative, and brought to his home in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. A widower, he tells Lena she can care for his home and his two children, Bonnie and John Henry.

Lena gradually settles in to her new life, even creating a bond with the children. But Lena soon senses a growing unease because the government is scheming to paint the mountain folk as ignorant and immoral so they can evict them from their land to form Shenandoah National Park. Children are seized from their “backward” parents and people deemed to have “inferior” genes are institutionalized and/or forcibly sterilized. As an unwed mother, Lena would be considered promiscuous so Ella could be removed from her care. Visits from government officials increase Lena’s worries as Silas tells her, “’They have been sending scientific folk up here to ask questions and study us. Now they’re saying we’re a bunch of backward, inbred, uneducated hillbillies living in squalor.’”

The novel focuses on eugenics which aimed to improve the genetic quality of human population by inhibiting the fertility of those considered inferior through sterilization. Upon her arrival in the U.S., Lena sees a sign: “Some people are born to be a burden on the rest. . . . Every 15 seconds, $100 of your money goes for the care of someone with bad heredity . . . Feeblemindedness, criminality, insanity, alcoholism, and many other defects run in families and are inherited in exactly the same way as color in guinea pigs. If all marriages were eugenic, we could breed out most of this unfitness in three generations.” In practice, eugenics worked to preserve the position of the dominant groups in the population. The people who became targets of the eugenics movement were usually the poor, immigrants, and people of colour.

I had heard of the eugenics movement but was unaware of how widespread it was and I had certainly never read a novel with a main character affected by its practices. Through Lena’s experiences and those of Silas’ family and neighbours, the true horrors of the movement are highlighted. It’s obvious that the author did extensive research. Readers of the novel should not skip the Author’s Note and the reading guide questions at the end.

The opening chapters focus on Lena and her family’s treatment upon arrival in the U.S. It does not take long for her to question the promise of the American dream: “It seemed that ‘give me your tired, your poor’ meant only those who were not really tired or poor. That if you were in need of help, if you were judged to be ignorant or ill, the gates that led to freedom were closed to you.” The treatment of immigrants one hundred years ago has parallels with the present. The sacrifices and struggles of those seeking a new life are being ignored, and those in power are deporting people, often with little, if any, due process.

Lena is a character for whom it is impossible not to have empathy. Hoping for a better life for her daughter and family, she has left everything behind, except some meager belongings. Then her mother and brother are sent back though “They had nothing to go home to now – no home, no jobs, no money.” Left alone with her child, Lena has to adapt to life in an unfamiliar environment but then faces new dangers. It is not surprising that at one point, Lena thinks, “If she’d known back then what she knew now, she never would have left Germany.” Of course, it is love for Ella that motivates her to act as she does. Lena’s courage and perseverance are also qualities that stand out.

This book is an intense read. Though there are heart-warming scenes, there are many heart-breaking ones. Though I was sad much of the time, I was also very angry at the injustice as those in power repeatedly take advantage of the marginalized. The novel ends on a positive note, but I find it impossible to forget, and indeed forgive, all that Lena and others endure.

The novel begins slowly but the pace does pick up. It’s an informative though unsettling read which has inspired me to do some research on the eugenics movement in Canada. I will definitely be recommending this book.

Review of SIX DAYS IN BOMBAY by Alka Joshi (audiobook)

 3.5 Stars

This historical novel opens in Bombay in the later 1930s.

Mira Novak, a renowned painter, is admitted to a hospital in Bombay. Sona Falstaff is her nurse for six days. Though very different in personality and life experience, the two share a half-Indian identity and become fast friends. When Mira dies suddenly, Sona’s professional competence is called into question. Sona ends up leaving Bombay and sets out on a mission to find three of Mira’s friends in Europe to deliver a painting to each of them. As she travels, Sona learns more about Mira and about herself as well.

The relationship between Mira and Sona is the entire premise of the latter’s quest in Europe. The problem is that the relationship is insufficiently developed to be convincing. They know each other for only six days, and Mira is only one of Sona’s patients, yet the two develop such an intense relationship? The likelihood of being left valuable paintings to distribute after only such a short acquaintance is minimal. Other events in Sona’s life make her decision to leave Bombay easier, but I was unconvinced that someone always worried about financial instability would take all her savings and embark on this journey across Europe.

The character of Sona is problematic. She is 23 years old and has been a nurse for a few years. Surely that career would have opened her eyes to life’s realities. Furthermore, her life has not been without its struggles, yet she is so naive as to be unbelievable. She has met untrustworthy people, yet accepts Mira at face value. Sona sees the flaws in other patients, yet is enthralled by this one? She falls under Mira’s thrall so easily and comes to virtually worship her; in fact, she seems to mourn Mira’s passing much more than that of a beloved family member. For someone whose entire life has been totally bound by conventionality, Sona accepts Mira’s flaunting of conventions so easily? Sona is timid and passive and lacks self-confidence, yet she undertakes a European tour without any great trepidation? In a short time, she takes the initiative in a sexual encounter? There are three criteria for a convincing character change and I don’t find that all three criteria are met.

It’s not only the shallowness of the bond between the two women that is an issue. Mira is not an appealing character. The encounters between Mira and Sona and Mira’s interactions with others show a woman who is self-centred and uses people to satisfy her needs and desires. Because Sona clearly sees Rebecca’s manipulations, her blindness to Mira’s stretches credibility.

The reader must also suspend disbelief in Sona’s tour of Europe. She very easily finds the three people she seeks in three cities with which she has no familiarity. Of course, someone always comes to her assistance. This second half of the book often reads like a travelogue in which the overlong descriptions of the cities slow the pace substantially.

An element I did appreciate is the references to political upheaval in both India and Europe. Because it’s 1937, there are mentions made to Gandhi, the protests against British rule, and the growing independence movement in India. In Europe, Hitler and Mussolini, the fears of Jewish people, and the rumblings of war are mentioned more than once.

I read the author’s Jaipur Trilogy and enjoyed all three books. The quality of this one is more uneven. The shallow relationship between Sona and Mira is not a sufficient catalyst for Sona’s Grand Tour, and Sona’s growth seems at times too slow and at other times too quick.

Review of HOME BEFORE DARK by Eva Björg Ægisdóttir (New Release)

 4 Stars

I’ve read and loved all of the author’s five books in her Forbidden Iceland series, so I was anxious to read her latest standalone offering. I was not disappointed.

The narrative alternates between two timelines and two narrators.

In November 1977, Marsí goes to visit her parents on the tenth anniversary of her sister Stína’s disappearance. While there, Marsí decides to look into Stína’s life around the time she vanished. Marsí has always felt guilty because back in 1967, she corresponded with a penpal, a boy named Bergur, but used her older sister’s name. After a year’s correspondence, they arranged to meet; Marsí missed the meeting but, at the designated spot, Stína’s bloodied jacket was found. After not hearing from Bergur for over a decade, she hears from him once again, and it’s clear he knows her real name.

The other timeline is the year leading up to Stína’s disappearance in November of 1967. The sixteen-year-old describes her life: interests, activities with friends, concerns about her family, secrets, and desires. Her last chapter details her movements on the fateful day and night.

The use of two narrators is an interesting approach. At times the reader knows more than Marsí does about Stína because of the latter’s revelations in her chapters. Stína seems fairly reliable as a narrator, but Marsí is much less so. From the beginning she admits, “I’d always had trouble distinguishing dreams from reality; they had a tendency to blur into one another and become confused. Often, I had the feeling neither could be trusted.” Marsí’s mother tells her, “’You’ve always had a bad memory, Marsí. . . . You become immersed in other worlds, and confuse what really happened with what you wanted to happen.’” A therapist also tells her about the creation of artificial memories. In addition, there’s no doubt that Marsí is troubled; she drinks to excess and suffers from tichotillomania. So can Marsí’s version be trusted?

There’s more than one mystery. What happened to Stína? Was she killed? Her first words in the novel are “I want to disappear” so did she choose to do that? If someone killed her, could Bergur be the murderer? Little is known about Bergur, so who is he really? Could he be a local? Is Marsí now in danger? Then there are some mysterious photos: who is the baby boy in the family album and who is the woman in the 1943 photograph? All these questions certainly create interest and compel the reader to keep turning pages.

And there are any number of suspects who show a special interest in Stína. Could she have been harmed by a former boyfriend who “’when he loves something . . . doesn’t let it go’” or someone jealous that Stína “’always got more attention’” or a friend who “’wanted to own Stína’” or the father of a friend who makes “odd and creepy” comments or the art instructor who takes such a personal interest in her or the father of a classmate who looked at Stína with “hatred in his eyes” or a friend who feels rejected or . . . And why are both of Marsí’s parents so persistent in not wanting her to investigate further?

What also impressed me is the intricate plotting. In the end all the threads come together so well. As I read I would sometimes note things that seemed strange but by the end all those issues are fully explained. I guessed much of what really happened because the author plays fair and gives numerous clues. My thinking I had figured out what happened did not in any way affect my enjoyment of the book. I was even more anxious to keep reading to see if my suspicions were confirmed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and can’t wait to see what Eva Björg Ægisdóttir will write next.

Review of THE ROAD TO GODERICH by Linda McQuaig (New Release)

 3 Stars

In Scotland in the 1830s, fifteen-year-old Callandra reluctantly agrees to marry Norbert Scott, a wealthy Presbyterian clergyman. Since she acquiesces only to save her family from destitution and since Norbert is emotionally cruel, it is not a happy marriage. Callandra’s only solace is her friendship with Lottie, a household servant. Then Norbert accepts a post in Goderich in Upper Canada. Their daughter Emma, Lottie, and Lottie’s brother Sam, a carpenter hired to build the church in Goderich, are to accompany them.

In an accident enroute to Goderich, Norbert drowns. Sam is mistaken for the long-awaited clergyman and he and Callandra and Emma decide to continue the deceit. Things start to unravel especially when Sam, a charismatic young man and natural leader, supports a rebellion against the elitists in control of Upper Canada.

There are events that stretch credibility. Callandra and Sam decide to deceive the entire community on the basis of a misunderstanding?! They give no thought to the possible consequences. They actually think that the truth will not be discovered in time? And the Presbyterian congregants accept a preacher who does not preach? Surely, Sam would have made some effort to familiarize himself further with the Bible and the rituals of worship, yet there’s no mention of him trying to educate himself in spiritual matters.

There are other problematic events. Rosalee can’t read but knows about “the silly book about women that [Callandra] was always reading.” Sam’s decision to accompany Callandra to Ethan’s farm is never explained; it’s just an obvious plot device to force the two together. When Emma inadvertently blurts out a secret, Blair doesn’t react and only in passing thinks of “the strange comments of the little girl”? Given Blair’s interest in speaking with Sam, what Emma says should have resulted in a dramatic reaction. The part of the trial with its revelations about a cabin seems unnatural and contrived. And then there’s the manipulation of the reader: we are mislead about events involving O’Reilly. Finally, there’s a lack of clarity about the passage of time which causes some confusion.

The character of Callandra is interesting. She’s a spirited young woman who struggles against the constraints faced by women who had little self-agency. Her love for and loyalty to her family has her willing to sacrifice her own happiness. But she is not a perfect person. Whereas she is largely a convincing character, the same cannot be said of Norbert. He is cold and arrogant; he has no love even for his daughter. Even in death, his selfishness comes to the fore. Callandra admits, “he was cruel right up to the end, showing no concern for anyone but himself.” He comes across as a cartoon villain – and much the same can be said for his mother and other characters as well.

The book’s style suggests non-fiction rather than fiction. There’s certainly a lot of telling versus showing. Obviously the author did a lot of research into the Upper Canada Rebellion, but the historical details weigh down the narrative. And given the focus of the story on relationships, a lot of the information is actually not needed.

I did appreciate the romantic twists which come as a surprise but are foreshadowed, but I found the book’s weak characterization and heavy-handed narration style off-putting.

Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Review of DEATH AT THE WHITE HART by Chris Chibnall

 3.5 Stars

This police procedural is a pleasant read.

Publican Jim Tiernan’s body is found in the middle of a road, trussed up in a sack, tied to a chair, and sporting a pair of deer antlers. DS Nicola Bridge, having recently moved to the small coastal village in West Dorset, is in charge of the investigation. Her partner, DC Harry Ward, is inexperienced, but eager to learn.

There are quite a few suspects. Why is Eddie the deliveryman so twitchy? Why is Frankie the hairstylist acting so suspiciously? Could one of Jim’s girlfriends be responsible? Deakins, an embittered old farmer, seems to be connected to events. And then there’s nine-year-old Shannon, trapped in an abusive home, who seems to have knowledge of events the night of Jim’s death. At the beginning the perspectives of these various characters are provided and each seems to be hiding something, especially about the events of the night Jim was killed.

Nicola is an appealing character. She is tough, a skilled observer, and totally dedicated to her job. Though accustomed to working with more resources, she manages her team well, though initially there is some friction between her and Harry. She’s not perfect of course. Her workaholic tendencies mean that her family life is affected.

Harry is new to the job but eager to tackle the case and prove himself. He and Nicola become a good team though she does underestimate him at the beginning. I suspect that this is the first of a new series from the creator of the British crime drama series Broadchurch.

One weakness is the resolution. The identity of the murderer is a stretch, and I found the motive to be rather far-fetched. At the end, there’s a detailed explanation of how the murder was carried out; much of that is needless repetition. The “happy-ever-after” ending is also not needed.

This is not outstanding crime fiction but it is enjoyable enough – a good summer read for those who like the genre.

Review of THE HEART OF WINTER by Jonathan Evison

 4 Stars

This novel is a portrait of a 70-year marriage – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The book opens with the celebration of Abe Winter’s 90^th birthday, the one Abe thinks will be his final one. His wife Ruth and their three adult children gather at the family home on Bainbridge Island. But shortly afterwards it is Ruth’s mortality that comes to the fore when she is diagnosed with a malignant tumour that requires surgery and promises a difficult recovery. Ruth has always been the caregiver but Abe now insists on caring for her. Will he be able to manage?

The reader is shuttled between past and present. In the present, the focus is on Ruth’s health and Abe’s struggles to care for his wife. In the flashbacks, we see the beginning of their relationship. The two are very much opposites: Ruth is progressive and outspoken, and “free-spirited, curious, adventurous” whereas Abe is staid and conservative: Ruth thinks he “was born middle-aged” and describes him as “Fair. Not bad. Bland, and white, and tasteless as a bowl of chowder. Never enough pepper.” On their first meeting, Abe is smitten but Ruth is not in the least interested. Abe wins her over and they marry. As an insurance salesman, he becomes the family breadwinner, while Ruth, the poetry lover, becomes a housewife and mother. What we see is their long marriage: how they survive the mundanity and challenges of daily life, personal struggles, and a tragedy.

This is a very relatable book. It has both tender and heart-breaking moments. Ruth and Abe face challenges and tragedy. Like any couple, they drift apart, though they also succeed in coming back together. I loved the authenticity of the marriage. I also appreciated the humourous touches which lighten the sometimes sombre mood. Abe thinks Bob Dylan “sounds like a jackass in heat” and Ruth thinks, “To watch Abe trying to navigate the Holy Bible, it might have been the Shenyang phone book.”

Both Ruth and Abe are realistic characters, basically good but certainly flawed. Abe, for instance, is a “stellar provider but absentee husband and father” while Ruth looks after her husband and children but crosses boundaries. The book also shows the dynamic with adult children. Anne, Kyle and Maddie love their parents but Abe observes, “It seemed a cruel arrangement that one’s children, the very nurslings who once drooled on your shirt collar and threw up on your lapel, who wet the bed and crapped on the floor, those helpless lumps of adipose who depended upon you for every little comfort, nay, for their very survival, one day grew into sanctimonious, domineering, irredeemable despots, hell-bent on infantilizing you as though it were the natural order.”

I imagine that most married people will agree with the observations about marriage. Ruth comments that “a marriage requires maintaining, and amending, for it is more than a binding commitment, it is a process, one that demands participation, a willingness to absorb, to accept, to reassess” and that marriage is a compromise because “Sometimes it was necessary to acquiesce, to tolerate and accept the beliefs or needs of others to achieve harmony.”

Though the book is not fast-paced or action-packed, I enjoyed it and found it heart-warming and moving. And it offers wisdom not just for marriages but for all relationships.

Review of SWEAT by Emma Healey

 3.5 Stars

This novel explores the dynamics of a controlling relationship.

Cassie left her abusive partner Liam two years earlier. One day he turns up at the gym where Cassie works as a personal trainer. Because of a brain tumour, he is now blind. Rather than give him to another trainer, she pretends to be someone else and exacts small revenges while supervising his sessions. As weeks pass, her behaviour becomes increasingly erratic: “Liam had tainted me, stained me, and unless I could reverse our roles I would always be marked as someone who’d been tricked, manipulated, deceived. I’d always be the victim. I wanted to mark him instead, to wipe my shame onto his skin.”

Besides the events in the present, there are flashbacks to the past, specifically Cassie and Liam’s relationship. A fitness fanatic, Liam takes command, controlling Cassie’s food and exercise, and isolating her from her friends. At one point Cassie is shaking and she lists possible reasons for trembling muscles: “Fatigue, for instance, when you’ve reached your limit and been made to keep going. Or low glucose levels, when you haven’t had enough food and the fridge is locked. Or cold, especially a swift drop in temperature, like a warmed-up body suddenly submerged in an ice bath.” Are these methods Liam used?

At times, the reader might question whether Cassie is a reliable narrator. Cassie’s mother, for instance, doesn’t believe Liam was abusive: “’I hate to say it, love, but you’ve got a bit of an addiction to exaggeration, you know. A bit of a taste for the dramatic.’” Since we are given only one character’s point of view, it is wise to question, but the reactions of Cassie’s friends and the revelation of more and more details suggests she is not being hyperbolic.

I had a couple of issues with the book. Liam, for example, has few redeeming qualities, yet Cassie stayed with him for a long time. I don’t see the attraction. Of course, he’s a master manipulator so the message is that people can become involved in toxic relationships and be unwilling or unable to extract themselves. Once she has finally escaped, why would she agree to be his trainer since she could easily have passed him on to someone else? I’m also not convinced that Liam wouldn’t recognize her. She adopts an accent and disguises her scent as well, but if they had such an intense relationship, I’d expect him not to be fooled so easily. There is also a predictability to the plot; as Cassie becomes more and more reckless, it’s only a matter of time before there’s a confrontation.

This is not an easy read. Cassie’s admission that “my self-worth was totally tied up with my fitness, my self-control, my dress size and calorie intake, my constant workouts” is sad. As is her comment that “I still find it hard to imagine being safe in a relationship.” Even though she left Liam, her life continues to be shaped by him. There’s also the emphasis on how women in abusive relationships are often not believed.

I enjoyed Emma Healey’s Elizabeth is Missing (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2015/08/review-of-elizabeth-is-missing-by-emma.html) and Whistle in the Dark (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/2018/05/review-of-whistle-in-dark-by-emma.html), and I enjoyed this, her third novel, as well.