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"It's probably that sheriff," he said.
"What sheriff?"
"From town. I thought they were finished when I left to pick you up. They're looking for something."
Posted for The Friday 56, which is hosted by Freda's Voice
Title: The Qualities of Wood
Author: Mary Vensel White
ISBN: 9780007523580
Publisher: Harper Collins Authonomy/2014
Pages: 370
Vivian has been married for 4 years to Nowell and she leaves her job in the city to join her husband at his Grandmother’s house in the countryside. Nowell has taken a break from his work and now writing his second mystery novel. Both are preparing the house for sale. Soon after Vivian arrives, the Sheriff finds a body of a young girl in the woods behind their house. Vivian meets Katharine, who becomes a close friend. Nowell’s brother Lonnie and his new bride Dorothy too arrive.
With time in her hand, Vivian is suddenly questioning everything around her. Nowell, engrossed in his writing, seems to be drifting away from her. Lonnie is broody and secretive. Dorothy is the only one who seems genuinely happy to help Viv.
Vivian tries to unravel the secret about the girl who was found dead. She also meets another neighbour who used to be reclusive but now seen everywhere.
The language, descriptions and Vivian's thought process are all very beautiful but somewhere down the line, the mystery element gets lost. More emphasis should have been on that but it is not so. The secret is resolved in a slow pace. If one is looking for a fast paced thriller, then it is not so. There is lot of symbolism and metaphors. A few of those worked and few were wasted. I liked it in a literary way but not for the mystery and suspense element.
Title: The Queen of Palmyra
Author: Minrose Gwin
ISBN: 978-0061840326
Publisher: Harper Perennial/2010
Pages: 416
Based in summer of 1963, in Milkwood, it depicts those times in the eyes of 11 year old Florence Forrest. Her father is a racist and mother is the cake lady, who is trying to get away from her brutal marriage by drinking and bootlegging. Florence finds a friend in the form of her grandparents maid, Zenie, which is a soetrt form of Zenobia, the Queen of Palmyra. Zenie can simply considers Florence as unwanted chore but Florence look forward to being with her every day.
Florence's father has a dark secret, which even when revealed to the young girl, is not comprehended by her. She doesn't understand class or colur differences and her father is totally racist. He is abusive too for her and her mother. ONly her grandparents seem to be somewhat tolerant towards coloured people.
Everything seems to be peaceful until the day Eva Greene, Zenie's niece appears in time. Along with college, she too is selling insurance like Florence's father. In a race divided community, it is unthinkable and tragedy strikes.
Florence's relationship with Zenie and Eva is well brought out. Zenie barely tolerates her but Eva cares for the girl. Both bond well. Florence's mother gets drunk to forget her abusive husband. She in her own way even tries to protect the black community.
Florence tries to understand all that is happening around her and her struggles are well depicted. She is naive in the beginning but circumstances do make her grow up and all the other characterisation have been done very well.
It did remind me of To Kill a Mockingbird. And that is saying something about the novel. With good prose, Minrose Gwin has written a winner.
Title: Quiver--Poems and Ghazals
Author: Javed Akhtar/1995
Translated from Urdu by David Matthews /2001
ISBN-10: 8172235127
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Pages: 251
Javed Akhtar is one of my favourte Urdu poets. This book is a gift from my nephew. This volume is an English and Hindi translation of 'Tarkash', a highly successful book of Javed Akhtar's Urdu poems first published in 1995.
Here he talks about himself, his short comings, love and many more things. In first appearance, these poems seem simple. But contain deeper meanings. Each of his poems have many levels and a reader can discern it the way he/she wishes to. There are deep ironies along with philosophical ponderings. He tries to decipher the mystery of life and leaves it open for the reader to interpret it in her/his own way. As I read both the Hindi and English versions, I had not muc problem liking his verses.
A must read for all those who like good poetry. In India and Pakistan, Javed Akhtar is a well known name!
