March, 2013

"Scent of Triumph" by Jan Moran        

Danielle Bretancourt and her husband Max are traveling in 1939.  They left their son behind with their grandmother, who was to meet them in Paris.  When war is declared, Danielle and Max are unable to reunite with their son.  Instead, Max is sent on a mission by the government, where he is killed.  After giving birth to a second child, Danielle travels through occupied Poland, hoping to uncover information about her son.   After retuning empty-handed, Danielle takes her daughter and niece to America, where they struggle to build a new life.         

I was a bit disappointed with this book.  The author was extremely repetitive at times, almost as if it was several different books put together and she felt the need to re-explain things that happened earlier.  I also wanted more details about her son, the author seemed to just wrap up the book without giving me the information I wanted.  Overall, not something I would re-read or recommend.

"Brains" by Daniel Breeze         

While shooting hoops in his small town, Sam finds himself offered the chance of a lifetime, the opportunity to play in the Brains Bowl.  Quickly accepting the job, Sam finds himself thrown in with a cast of weird, possible insane people.         

I'm not sure if this book is for young adults or adults.  The characters seemed stereotypical and one-dimensional, yet some of the subject matter made me think of adult and the pressures of life.  It was an interesting book, but not something I would reread.

"The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath         

Part autobiographical, this novel follows the life and madness of Esther Greenwood.  A smart and attractive woman, she finds herself questioning her abilities and talents.  After a failed suicide attempt, Esther is taken to a hospital, where she undergoes shock therapy treatments.         

I'm not sure how I feel about this book.  It was beautifully written, but I had a hard time connecting with Esther.  She just didn't seem real, rather she came across as a dream, as a wisp of a person. 

"Sheva's Promise" by Sylvia Lederman         

Forced into a ghetto with her mother and sister, Sheva is determined to survive.  Despite the dangers, she obtains a false passport and a false birth certificate.  Escaping the ghetto, she finds herself under the protection of a series of very brave individuals.  Bouncing from place to place, she decides to work in Germany, hiding among the enemy.  She finds work in a German hospital and spends the rest of the war here.         

I thought this was a very interesting and well written book.  I wish it had an epilogue, I would like to know what happened to Sheva, her husband and their fellow survivors.  Overall, highly recommended.

"The Girl With No Name" by Chapman and Barrett-Lee         

Around five years old, Marina is kidnapped from her home in Columbia.  She remembers the men running with her through the woods, before unceremoniously dropping her.  Wandering for days, she is hungry and thirsty, crying for her mother.  After an exhausting night, she finds herself surrounded by monkeys.  By copying their actions she learns to survive, and eventually is accepted into their group.  After many years of surviving in the jungle, she finds two hunters, who she reveals herself too.  Walking on all fours, unable to speak, she is taken back to the city and sold to a brothel.

     This is a very interesting and dynamic book.  I was a bit skeptical about the premise, but it was fascinating.  I wanted to read more about Marina, how did she find a husband, raise a family?  How did those around her react to her past?  I definitely think an epilogue is needed.  Highly recommended.

"Real Justice:  Sentenced to Life at Seventeen" by Cynthia Faryon         

David was sentenced to life in prison at the age of seventeen.  After spending most of his life in jail, he was found innocent through DNA evidence.  During this time his mother never stopped fighting for his release.        

I have mixed feelings about this book.  I'm not quite sure what age group it is intended for.  It is written in a very juvenile/pre-teen manner, yet I worry that the story won't interest that age group.  Overall, not a book I would reread or recommend.