lan Duff’s — Both sides of the moon *****

Alan Duff’s— Both Sides of the Moon *****

Because Jimmy’s father is a Pakeha and his mother Maori, he struggles to discover where he fits in. After his mother leaves to live with another man, Jimmy turns more to his uncle who tells his about his Maori family history. This is a heart wrenching read, but a telling narrative of a family caught between two cultures.

Latita Tademy’s — Cane River *****

This is a generational saga of Tademy’s family beginning during the slave era in the United States. We learn the struggles of four prominent women who fought for their freedom while at the same time trying to keep their family together. This is an interesting account because it examines in depth, the lives these women led and how often they were tied to their masters.

Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the sun

I fell in love with this heart warming futuristic story because it was so different from anything else I’d read.

Klara and Rosa are on display in a store window when Josie comes by and promises to take Klara home. While she waits for Josie’s return, she realises that not all AF’s have the ability she has — an insight into human emotions. She keenly observes all she can until Josie and her mother finally return and purchase her. But Klara soon learns that Josie is often seriously ill and her older sister has already died. Can she help her get well? And will the sun keep its end of a bargain as Klara has begged it to?

FYI Ishiguro is also the author of The remains of the day and Never let me go, both made into movies.

Robert Jones Jr’s — The prophets *****

Isaiah and Samuel only know the names they’ve been given by their master, Paul, who owns a southern cotton plantation. They know nothing of their past. They are assigned to the barn to tend the animals where Paul plans to use them as breeding stock to enrich his plantation with more slaves. But once the pair mature, their love for each other deepens. When Amos learns of their conduct behind closed doors, he preaches to the rest of the slaves that they are evil. Many turn their backs of Isaiah and Samuel and they become more isolated. But their love for each other sustains them until Timothy, Paul’s only son, returns from the north after completing his education. One night, when he spies the pair entwined in each other arms, their lives change, and will never be the same again.

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