Mallee Stanley’s—Slow Poison

This is my eighth year at reviewing books I believe deserve a five out of five and I’ve come to that time again when I’m writing about my recently published book, “Slow Poison.”

Here’s the back cover blurb:

In 1960s Tanzania, Aliya is cherished by her grandfather yet overshadowed by a mother who never truly sees her. When political upheaval strips her family of almost everything and tragedy shatters the one bond that sustained her, Aliya is thrust into a life shaped by loss and silence.

A fleeting romance leads to a forced marriage, betrayal and devastating violence. Fleeing scandal, grief and danger, Aliya begins again in Vancouver, but whispers of her past follow and almost everything she has tried to bury refuses to stay hidden.

As buried love and guilt resurface, Aliya must confront the truth she has carried across continents— some pasts cannot be outrun only faced.

The ebook and paperback is available to Amazon.ca

I lived in Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam for several years and will be writing about my time there on my travel blog: https://malleestanley.wordpress.com

Han Woo-Keun’s—The History of Korea

This is a comprehensive study beginning about 30 000 years ago with the paleolithic age through to 1960 when Korea’s first president, Rhee, had to step down after public demonstrations. The author included the ancient tribes to the ancient Silla era, then detailed the rulers during the Koguryo, Paekche and Silla dynasties. The final dynasty, the Yi Dynasty, sometimes referred to as the Josean Dynasty ended when the last king mysteriously died during Japanese occupation.

Continue reading →

Chinua Achebe—Things fall apart

Because of his lazy father, Okonkwo has strived since childhood, to get ahead in his Nigerian village. As a man, he is respected by all for his prowess in fighting and wealth, but he is stern and he strictly controls his three wives and oldest son, Nwoye, whom he fears is lazy like his grandfather. But an accident occurs, that changes Okonkwo’s life and nothing is the same after that.

Achebe has woven a beautiful tale full of unique beliefs and village customs and how change effects village life.

Pip Williams’ The Bookbinder

In London during the WW1, Peg and her identical twin sister, Maude, fold and gather the pages of books in the Oxford printing house along with other women. The men, in a different section, edit and design the covers. Peg wants nothing more than to read the books but her job doesn’t allow her. She eagerly takes home faulty books. While her sister is content at her mundane job, Peg dreams of attending Oxford Somerville College across from the printing house, but what are the chances for a bookbinder? When refugees arrive after the German invasion of Belgium, a few of the Flemish women join the printing house. Lotte immediately draws close to Maude although Peg was assigned to assist her with the folding process. With the war going on and men leaving their jobs to join up, is there hope for Peg to work at something more challenging than her present job? When she volunteers to read and write for wounded soldiers, she meets Gwen, a privileged woman full of confidence and slowly doors open.