Orphan Train

Orphan train by Christina Baker Kline

I'll be honest, I didn't want to read this book. It sounded so depressing. Orphaned children shipped to the Midwest for free labor? Ugh. Heartbreaking!  But as I gained momentum in my reading, I realized that the train is just a starting point. A metaphor for where life takes you. Sometimes you are  merely at the mercy of the route., hopeful for a compassionate conductor. 

While the subject matter is indeed bleak, the main character's perseverance and hope overpower even the worst conditions.  Dorothy focuses on her future, even after Mr.Grotes' "violation." When she finds she will be staying with Miss Larsen temporarily, her "heart is swelling with joy.  Miss Larsen is taking me home with her! I can't believe my good fortune."  Instead of focusing on the tragedies of her recent past, she focuses on the present and considers herself lucky. 

Christina Baker Kline challenges the duality of name and identity.  While names are a major expression of identity for most, names are more fluid for others.  The main character accepts her imposed name changes and these names come to mark sections of her life. She begins as Niamh, the little Irish immigrant girl; older sister to her siblings and (temporarily) to Carmine.  Her name is changed to Dorothy at an attempt to Americanize and acclimate her. As Dorothy she works in the small sewing sweatshop and then survives the squalid Grotes. By taking the name of a deceased daughter at the request of her "adoptive parents," Vivian slides into place as a smart,  hard-working businesswoman at the family's general store.  She keeps this name for the rest of her life, except for her short time with  Hans, when they were once again Dutchy and Niamh.  The name changes symbolized the lack of true identity allowed to Niamh.

The dual storyline was well applied and the similarities between Molly and Niamh are sadly accurate.  The tragedy of unwanted children lives on even though the orphan trains do not.  The intention of the agencies in regards to these children is to place them into any family, some far from worthy.  We are all too familiar with the statistics and tragic outcomes of many cases.  We also know of the success stories; what we hope will happen to orphaned children or those in foster care.  What we rarely see or hear about are the ones who barely made it.  Foster children at the mercy of a system are appreciative of simple necessities. Food, clothes, and safety are constant struggles in both of these characters' lives, but education weighs the heaviest.  Dorothy wants to attend school but is told she will not.  Later she walks miles to attend school merely as an escape from what waits at home.  Molly may not be doing great in school but her love of books as consequences that change the lives of both the women.

I always applaud a novel that celebrates education and great teachers, but I absolutely loved Dorothy's teacher, Miss Larsen. The author did a wonderful job creating her. An underlying comparison came through the story to me with Miss Larsen.  The juxtaposition of her violet scarf and pink skirt against the greasy grey scenery of the Grotes paralleled the transition from black and white to color in "The Wizard of Oz." Both Miss Larsen and Glinda, the Good Witch, send their Dorothys down the right paths to safety.  The Dorothys both wake up safe in bed with someone to care for them.  The dream is over.  The fever has broken.  

The two women's education brings them success.  They each had one person that changed their life in regards to receiving that education. Miss Larsen saved Dorothy by getting her placed with the Nielsons.  Vivian saved Molly by honestly understanding Molly's struggles and assisting her with her portage assignment.  

Christina Baker Kline took a dark social experiment and turned it into a complex examination of place and identity.  What I initially approached with skepticism is now a new favorite book that I am recommending to anyone who will listen.  

Criminal by Terra Elan McVoy

With no family to lean on, Nikki is newly 18 and mixed up with Dee.  Blinded by love she makes an irreversible mistake and lands in the middle of a homicide investigation.  When police start putting pressure on her only friend, Bird, Nikki knows it's time to start talking.  Speaking to the police, she doesn't confess the events of August 24th, not exactly.  But the police have information that she doesn't know. 

It is uncomfortable hearing Nikki beg Dee for attention or to call her because one can remember desperate pleas made in youth.  But right there is where McVoy hooks you.  Everyone remembers mistakes they made and bad influences they hung around. We all learned a few lessons "the hard way."  Luckily, most of us are able to shake these people off and move on.  Maybe have a few crazy stories to tell later.  But Nikki is in some Real.Deep.Trouble.  She realizes "I'd helped him with the entire plot, even if I hadn't known it."

McVoy integrates Atlanta landmarks into the storyline such as Lenox Mall or the "purple" movie theater on Shallowford as well as the numerous QTs.  She also applies the southern urban vernacular perfectly.  There is no strain or overkill when it is employed.  It's as smooth as Duke's mayo. (See what I did there.)

This story will take you out of your comfort zone and into the raw, gritty reality of a girl struggling to become an adult in an environment that considers her disposable. It tells the hard lessons learned in the truth of actions, lies of lovers, and the consequences of both. 

** I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review **

Quiverfull (Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement)

Quiverfull (Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement) by Kathryn Joyce

I was first introduced to the concept of the Quiverfull movement about seven years ago in a feminist magazine, so when I stumbled upon Kathryn Joyce's 2009 book "Quiverfull (Inside the Christian Patriarchy Movement)" I was interested in learning more.  Keeping an open mind with the expectation that there would be doctrine I don't believe in, I wanted to find out for myself what the movement was all about. 

The first half of the book is packed full of the multiple schisms and branches of Christian religion.  Not knowing my Protestant from my Episcopalian, I tried to follow along in explanation of their differing beliefs, but did become a bit confused as to how they define themselves.  However, I know this is no fault of the author, but rather the fact that a full religious history would be quite an undertaking.  Joyce merely ties together the fact that each of the branches she outlines embrace the belief of a submissive wife.  Filled with proclamations from pastors and quotations from the Bible, it is easy to see why the female followers of these congregations accept their submission as their religious duty.  Trying to stay open minded, my red flag was waving frantically, but I read on.  Then Joyce proceeds to tell the harrowing story of Mark and Jennifer Epstein and pastor Doug Phillips' personal attack on their marriage, specifically Jennifer's refusal to fully submit to her violent husband.  And now I am begin to get frustrated. So I gave myself a little pep talk "Ok, ok.  I knew it was going to get me worked up, but keep trucking along because what I really want to know about is the mass production of humans." 

While referenced in the first half, the second half of the book is where the movement is fully detailed.  This was what I'd been waiting for because the concept of large families fascinates me.  My family tree on both sides had 11-15 children in each generation until as recently as my mother and father each being from a family of four. Having grown up with one brother that annoyed me, I could not fathom the idea of a dozen siblings.  More recently, as a mother, my thoughts go to "How did they afford it?"  But many Quiverfull families possess the admirable traits of "strong beliefs against government assistance and personal debt."  To that I thought, if you can afford to have a large family and that's what you want, why should anyone care? But the mathematical factors come into play.  For example, a family with twelve children that each follow the movement will produce 144 children. The exponential growth with each generation massively outnumbers "general" population growth of 2.5 children per household.  But this is not a fad,  "Quiverfull mothers think of their children as no mere movement but as an army they're building for God." 

The movement is social as well as religious.  While it is easy to think, "Let them do what they want. It has no effect on me."  Not true.  The beliefs are not simply focused on their own families, they can creep into our government.  This is most thoroughly embodied in Idaho state representative, Steven Thayne's 2007 campaign "aimed at keeping mothers in the home by ending no-fault divorce and cracking down on day care centers, pre-kindergarten and Head Start as 'free babysitting services' that make it too easy for mothers to leave the home...public school campaigns teaching children that 'the calling of each girl is to become wife and mother' ; an increase in homeschooling; the end of easy divorces; the rise of 'covenant marriages' that are more difficult to dissolve; tax penalties for unmarried cohabitation; incentives for larger families and more babies; a final scrubbing of school sex-ed and reproductive health education; and an explicit return to sex-segregated job listings and family wages that reinforce 'natural family bonds'."

At this point I've just about passed out because I have the exact opposite stance on every single point.  If this movement grows to the point of determining voting or just general majority rule of the future, the free-thinking and scientific growth of our nation will be swallowed by religious domination.  I pull myself back from the spiraling rabbit hole of my dystopian imagination and read on. ..

In current affairs, when extreme religious law is mentioned, one usually thinks of Sharia law. While the Jewish and Muslim birthing battles in the Middle East hold a similar set of beliefs, the Quiverfull movement generally encompasses white Americans. But any religion can be taken to the extreme.  The Quiverfull movement's expectations are purity balls, arranged marriages  and homesteading in lieu of dating, individual partner choice and college education.  They wish to return to Calvinist ideals where a daughter has no right to give herself away in marriage and any man marrying "a woman without her parent's consent was guilty of rape, as he'd obtained access to a woman who had no authority to say 'yes'."  These patriarchal beliefs are the antithesis of women's rights.  The patriarchy movement wants to return to a time of women and property:  women as property, and women unable to possess property.  I am especially concerned that lack of proper medical care and constant pregnancies will statistically increase the possibility of post-partum depression in these mothers.  While some families, such as the Duggars, thrive in this movement, others such as Andrea Yates are led to believe they are never loyal enough by extremists like Michael Woroniecki and drown their children in the bathtub. 

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in learning the full extent of this religious movement.  It is a very thoroughly researched., generally unbiased inside look at a growing (literally) religious movement.

The Adventures of Maddie

The Adventures of Maddie (Meet Maddie) by Monyetta Shaw

Monyetta Shaw has crafted the perfect series for little girls and their parents.  Inspired by her own daughter, Shaw has produced one of the best books supporting and celebrating young girls' self-esteem. Combining a little girl's love of princess crowns, sports and math, makes this book a "must have."  Most books for this age group are topic specific but "The Adventures of Maddie (Meet Maddie)" shows little girls that they can like a variety of things and be proud of their accomplishments. The book also integrates the morals of playing hard, being fair and sharing.  If you have any Pre-K girls in your life, you need to get them this book.  Also, be on the lookout for the next installment in the series, "The Adventures of Maddie (Maddie Goes to School)."

(me & the beautiful author at Davio's Steakhouse Atlanta)

And Then I Found You

And Then I Found You by Patti Callahan Henry

She Reads April Selection

**I received an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  Also, This review contains spoilers**

Remember this line from 

"Did you ever love somebody but the timing was off....way off?" 

Inspired by her sister's journey of adoption, Patti Callahan Henry drew from personal experience to tell Jack and Katie's story.  With measured but warm prose she tackles the legacy of adoption.  So often I steer away from novels that contain such a heavy topic because authors draw up characters that become one dimensional and the situation overpowers conversations and relationships. Not so with Henry. Her conversations are precise combinations of words and actions delivering a perfect balance of pain and promise. Each character in the novel is developed and rounded. Their connections to Katie are authentically written and embraced regardless of their intentions toward her.  Even selfish prepster Rowan. 

  

Which brings me to my Rowan rant: Understandably a bombshell like an unknown child is bound to be a bit much to take in but when Katie tells him, he is definitely not supportive. Going out all night drinking, turning his phone off, then blabbing to Larson and not even telling him to keep it confidential was bad enough  but the way he acted at the dinner party was the worst! Pressuring her to tell "the story" when she clearly doesn't want to, throwing a fit, then storming out of the house when she does tell it. I seriously don't think I've ever wanted to tell a character to get their head out of their ass as much as I wanted to with Rowan. *end rant*

I really loved this story and tweeted about how it made me cry and gave me chills.  I didn't want to put this book down and even took it in the bathtub with me. Even when I was shocked or heartbroken I completely trusted where Henry was taking the story.  Except:  Did anyone else think "hey, where's the condom?"  when jack & Katie slept together at the cabin? Since the entire story is based on an unplanned pregnancy, it seemed to be an important detail that was not addressed. 

Upon completing the novel, I found myself pondering what was truth and what was fiction? The ending was so statistically impossible in my mind that I truly hope it is fiction. Not that I don't want Katie and Jack's love to conquer all, but for poor Emily. My heart hurt thinking about how jealous she would be that this new baby would have the opportunity to be raised by her parents.  As well adjusted as Emily is presented, the challenge of not feeling some resentment toward this sibling hung heavy for me. I can imagine her rebelling again in response to what must feel like Katie and Jack getting a "do over" with this baby. 

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow

Rita Leganski's prose cast a spell and hypnotized me for 374 pages.  In an epic story spanning three generations,  multiple character threads are woven together to produce the most perfect magical realist novel I have ever read. With a cast of characters showing that every action has its consequences both near and far reaching, Leganski provides everything  a story with true love, questioning of social relationships, and wonderfully unconventional villains. The Louisiana setting saturates the story to the point of becoming a character itself with its hoodoo, voodoo and class divisions.

In an extreme version of loss of one sense amplifying another,  Bonaventure Arrow's lack of speech  amplifies his connection to the universe.  His mother, Dancy, grieving for his father's death, causes Bonaventure to lose his voice and tune into messages no one else can hear. He grows to hear colors, feel souls of objects, and "speak" with  his deceased father, William. William's mother and Dancy both blame and punish themselves for his death but Bonaventure's gift helps them forgive themselves. Karma and love mix with religion and revenge in this truly enchanting story that exemplifies how we are all connected to every bit of the universe.

The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee

The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee

Orphaned at a young age, Elizabeth "Betsey" Dobson must work to support herself.  At 14she falls in love with the 19 year old son of the house in which she is working.  Dismissed from this job, she trains to work as a typewriter girl making just enough money to pay her share of rent on a rundown room in a rough part of town. An "inter-office romance" evolves and she is aware that she will lose this job in a matter of time. With the promise of a job as a manager at Idensea Pier & Pleasure Building Company within Betsey's grasp and the knowledge that she will soon be fired for her morals, she forges a letter of character for herself.  In these opening scenes, the reader can't help but fall in love with Betsey's determination while shaking their head at the society she is up against. Betsey's supervisor at Idensea Pier & Pleasure Building Company, John Jones has made a name for himself and is a hard worker, but not a gentleman born into high society. Lilian Gilbey is looking for a husband, but thinks John beneath her.  Betsey must interact with the hotel guests and give orders to men. A Duke is coming to an opening. A spurned lover shows up. At a time when a woman not being a virgin meant she was ruined, virtue was all a woman not of a certain societal standing possessed as a ticket to marriage.  Unless you planned to work hard and support yourself, like Betsey. Not interested in pursuing marriage and determined not to make any more mistakes, she finds herself pushed to her limits in her new role at the hotel. So when feelings arise between her and John Jones, Betsey refuses to give in, refuses to lose another job, especially one she loves so much.  If only it were so easy...

Alison Atlee provides a swirling cast of characters employing a variety of conflicting values and blurred class lines.  While the beginning and end of the novel were wonderful, the prose caused me to drift off a bit in the middle.  Whether it is the dialogue of the time period or my unfamiliarity with some English phrases, it drew long on character mannerisms.  I reread dialogue trying to decipher a subtle phrase and why someone was suddenly smitten or shocked because of it.  However, this slight slump in the middle does not overshadow the action of the rest of the novel. 

Comparable to Jane Austen, Atlee pushes the boundaries of spheres  by giving readers a sharp business woman with modern views on sex, marriage and character.