Mare's War by Tanita S. Davis

Title: Mare's War
Author: Tanita S. Davis
ISBN: 9780375857140
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf/2009
Pages: 341

Talitha and Octavia are forced to spend their summer vacation with their Grandmother Marey Lee Boyden, journeying into almost all over USA. Their Grandmother, known as Mare is unlike any other grand mother, one can think of. She drives a red car, has long painted nails and wears push-up bras. The teenaged girls aren't too thrilled to spend their summer with her.

But Mare has a past, which she reveals to them while driving in her car. When her past is revealed, the girls slowly to come to learn about their grandmother. Mare had lied about her age to join the 6888th Africa American battalion of the Women's Army Corps during World War II.

Mare was only 17, when she decided to join the army. She had an younger sister Josephine. When their Mama sent Josephine to Philadelphia, Marey Lee had no reason to stay and do menial work. She enlisted herself into the army to serve her country. Marey did not wish for a life like her Mama's, where one depended on a man for ones happiness and she also had no plans of getting into trouble having babies.

Joining the army gave her purpose in life. She made lasting friendship with some other enlisted women. And she also travelled to war ridden places like England and Paris. Told in alternate chapters of Then and Now, Mare's character comes forth beautifully and her equations with her grand daughter's too slowly changes.

At a first glance, this might appear to be light read but it isn't so. It speaks of a girl, who knew what she wanted of her life and how and she also knew that she had to come back for her little sister "Feens". Mare had all her priorities right and she set an example for Feens and also for Talitha and Octavia. The journey in itself is a reunion. The girls understand that at the end of it and are proud of their Mare! Those who want to read about WWII, relationships, responsibilities and familiy values will find it all here. It also deals with the discriminations coloured people faced even during the war.

From A to X by John Berger

My On-the-ground-lion,
Did you receive my last parcel? In it I put Marlboros, Zabrano, Green mint, Coffee.


Title: From A to X
Author: John Berger
ISBN: 9781844672882
Publisher: Verso/2008
Pages: 196

Sandra of Fresh Ink Books was offering a few books on her blog for guest reviewing. I chose From A to X by John Berger and very glad that I did.

As told in the forward, John Berger came into possession of some letters. He does not wish to divulge the source. These letters have been sent from A'ida to Xavier. A'da lives in a forgotten town of Suse and her lover/husband is taken for an insurgent and is imprisoned. In those letters, we see A'ida writing about everyday things and in the routine way her life goes on. She describes people and events that are happening and also the love she feels for Xavier.

The most insignificant detail is written about. Underlying all this, is the survival of the people of Suse, who put up resistence when the need arises. There is no particular order about those letters, these are undated and somehow can be read in any order, without lessening the impact. We also find Xavier's thoughts in the form of notes at the back of her letters but never sent to A'ida.

There is no background given, no details of insurgency, or war but that in no way detracts. The stark structure only highlights the negative effect of war. A'ida letters read like poetry at a few places. Her thoughts are calm, collected and matter of fact. Her love for Xavier is not cloying at all. In no way, these letters are not love letters and yet they are. In the missives of daily doings, the passion pours forth.

At a first glance, the book might not appeal to most. Once one starts it, it completely takes one in. Do give it a chance, if you like serious reading. For A'ida, writing letters is painful, yet she has gneo on, not for Xaviar but for herself, her own sake. Reason enough to live, to survive, is it not?

The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway

"It screamed downward, splitting air and sky without effort. A target expanded in size and brought into focus by time and velocity."

Title: The Cellist of Sarajevo
Author: Steven Galloway
ISBN: 9781921351303
Publisher: Text Publishing/2008
Pages: 222
Rating: 5/5

Right in the beginning of 2009, I get to read an unforgettable book. It is one of those books which is going to stay in mind. Steven Galloway was kind enough to send to me The Cellist of Sarajevo when I requested for it.

Based in strife ridden Sarajevo, it might be a piece of fiction but it feels so real. The deep fear within the psyche of its people and the way they get on with their life despite it, is what completely takes us in. The meaningless war impacts the people but it appears no one really cares for them apart from a few handful. With random sniper attacks, life becomes a drudgery yet it cannot break the spirits of the people.

This novel is based on a real event. In 1992, twenty people were killed in a mortar attack while waiting for bread. A renowned local cellist Vedran Smailovic, played Albinoni's Adagio at that very same site, for the next twenty two days in their honour, unmindful of sniper attacks.

In this book, the cellist remains namelss. Arrow, a female sniper from the good side is given the task of saving him while he plays, although he is not aware of it. Arrow has deliberately forgotten her real name. Kenan, another ordinary citizen has to go out to fetch water for his family and landlady once in four days. Then there is Dagan, who misses his wife and son.

On a first look, it appears that these people are unconnected but as we read along, we find that, the common factor that ties them, is the disregard of fear. And the extreme courage shown by them. The futility of war is manifested a thousand times in their hopes, wishes and aspirations. They are in no way responsible. Still they suffer. But they face it with dignity.

In midst of it all, this book also asks us who is fighting for whom and for what? Why is the govt so helpless in certain situations? Why can't it take care of its people? Do they simply fade away or live with hope? Staying alive for oneself, family and others is important. Keeping hope alive too is necessary. No matter what. The Cellist of Sarajevo tells us all that and much more. A book to be remembered for a long time to come. No one is going to regret reading this novel ever.