Blog Archives
But Do You Love Me with Locura?
Steeber’s latest book, But Do You Love Me With Locura?, is a powerful and moving tale that immerses the reader in the vibrant culture of 1960s Mexico and California. The book’s introduction is a window into the early childhood of the two main characters and provides a glimpse of central Mexico’s essence. These brief sections offer insight into the determined children’s souls during that era.
The story follows Rosie Logan, who flew to Mexico in 1985 with the aspiration of improving her Spanish to advance her stagnant journalistic career and escape a stifling environment that reminded her of a failed four-year relationship. Steeber masterfully unravels the protagonist’s character, dreams, and fears as she becomes increasingly aware of Mexican culture’s significant differences and poverty. Rosie ponders how she can contribute to her work while highlighting Mexico’s issues. She eventually seeks assistance from Doctor Juan Ramón Villaseñor, whom she met by chance at a small, impoverished clinic in Ixmilco during a Spanish class trip. Rosie’s quest for career advancement and Juan Ramón’s days filled with anger, sadness, and apathy are examples of how cultural and familial circumstances can affect daily life.
As the plot progresses, the reader is drawn into the sights, sounds, and smells of Mexico alongside Rosie. However, the book also confronts the reader, much like the main character, with the poverty prevalent on Mexican streets and in families. As Rosie and Juan Ramón’s lives become more intertwined, they are forced to confront their traditional beliefs and step outside their comfort zones, which were influenced by their families and the vastly different cultures in which they grew up. Steeber’s gift of language allows readers to walk beside Rosie, sometimes offering a comforting hand when needed. The reader becomes convinced that the mix of cultures and differences between the characters will ultimately bring them together.
But Do You Love Me With Locura? is an engaging and emotionally charged novel that explores the complexities of culture, family, and relationships.
Pages: 358 | ASIN : B0C37QBNTR
Lies that Blind
After being banished to Calcutta two years prior by his British father, Jim Lloyd decides to leave this place when the opportunity to live up to his ambitions presents itself. Lies That Blind by E.S Alexander is based on a true story taking place in Malaya during the 18th century. Starting off in India, Jim heads to Penang in Malaya to become Captain Francis Light’s new assistant in order to write a chronicle about this fame-driven captain. The readers will follow his new life in this new place where he needs to adapt and make trustworthy friendships.
This fascinating story is written using rich details and historical facts. The readers are brought into what life was like in Penang as if they were the ones settling there, and they witness the growing friendship between Jim and Light. It is clear that the author did a lot of research about the Malaya culture, embracing it without disrespecting it. This shows through Jim’s love for other cultures and mainly towards the Malay’s religion and ways of living. Furthermore, being a historical novel, this book contains a lot of trade and military tactics, allowing the readers to understand how trade used to work during colonial times.
While I enjoyed the book, I felt that the story seemed slow in some chapters; being told from Jim’s point of view, he describes some details that seem irrelevant and/or slightly dull. But I also appreciate how this gives the story an air of authenticity and shows how one’s interests and opinions can differ from another’s.
The author teaches readers a lot about this time period and about Malaya colonization while being respectful and not overlooking the harsh facts surrounding colonization. This exciting adventure novel gives readers a look at the trading aspects of the colonization of Malaya through a compelling coming-of-age narrative.
Pages: 278 | ASIN : B09HKXYT12
Just Arrived
Just Arrived: A Different World by Bona Udeze is the informative and detailed account of a young man from Africa on his journey towards living in another country. It is a fantastic representation of what immigrants experience and the people they meet as they travel to start their lives somewhere else, in this case the protagonist Emeka Mmadunebo is beginning his life in America.
The first person narrative allows the reader to gain an insight into the main characters thoughts and feelings towards his brand new adventure, as well as how he explores his emotions towards his life back home. Almost written in the style of a diary, you follow each challenge he faces and experience the joys and turbulence of his entire journey.
Highlighting the contrasts between the two very different cultures of Africa and America is done excellently, especially when the narrator questions some of the tales he is told by others who have been to the U.S. through one of the many flashbacks of his life in Africa. This thought-provoking saga emphasizes to the reader some of the things taken for granted and how these may be seen by those from a different background.
Another way Emeka’s culture is threaded throughout is with the clever use of dialect, phrases such as ‘akara and akamu’ draw the readers attention to the cultural origin of the main character. In some places this can become a little harder to read, for example ‘You wan changi dalla, or you wan buy American dalla or Britis poun?’ by writing this phonetically it can sometimes become difficult for the reader to imagine the voice of a character.
Just Arrived: A Different World by Bona Udeze, highlights cultural differences from several perspectives. Written in the style of a diary or a biographical account rather than in the style of a novel readers will be immersed in the characters lives and emotions. This engrossing book is a great fit for readers that enjoy cultural fiction and family life fiction.
Pages: 310 | ASIN : B09GX9K453
