The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf
The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf |
| Friendship across racial divide Posted: 29 Mar 2013 07:02 AM PDT The story of an unexpected friendship that blossoms, and survives, despite seemingly impossible odds. The Housemaid's Daughter Author: Barbara Mutch Publisher: Headline Review, 401 pages EVERY once in a while, you come across a book that grips you, that grabs you by the shoulders and the heart and keeps you engrossed until the very last page. This is what Barbara Mutch does with her debut novel, The Housemaid's Daughter. Narrated in the starkly honest and compelling voice of the titular character, African-American Ada, The Housemaid's Daughter tells the story of two lives bound together by loyalty, friendship, music, and love. In 1919, Cathleen Harrington travels from Ireland to South Africa to marry her fiancé, who she has not seen for five years. Estranged from her family and finding herself at odds with the harsh landscape of South Africa, Cathleen develops an unlikely friendship with Miriam the housemaid, and later, with Ada. In Ada, Cathleen finds a kindred spirit, someone who not only understands her but also someone that she can understand and relate to in a way that she cannot with her own daughter and her disengaged husband. And so, Cathleen educates Ada, and under her guidance, Ada blossoms into not just a highly literate individual, but an accomplished pianist as well. Ada's love and passion for music is chronicled throughout the novel, and in many instances, it is music that saves Ada during the bleakest periods of her life. During the course of World War II, Cathleen's son Phillip – who is close to Ada – joins to army, and returns injured and severely traumatised. It is Ada who nurses him through this dark time, and who offers him comfort. Mutch doesn't sugar coat the horrors of the war and nor does she attempt to soften the harshness of South African history. The increasing racial prejudice that has been ever present in Ada's life takes on a darker tone as she grows up. For example, a seemingly simple action, when Phillip hugs Ada goodbye at the train station, has poignant resonance because a white boy just didn't do that in South Africa at that time. And that he does so in full view of everyone endears him to Ada more than ever. The introduction of apartheid, the system of racial segregation enforced by South Africa's National Party through legislation beginning in 1950, puts Ada and eventually the Harringtons in a potentially explosive political situation. And when Ada is thrown in jail simply because she tries to help a friend, she unintentionally becomes a symbol of hope for the black community. Mutch also draws attention to the position of mixed race people during this period. Not quite white and not quite black, these people were ostracized by both communities simply because they were different. Through Ada's eyes, we learn how difficult life is for mixed-race people particularly children. If there is one problem I have with this book, it is with the character of Cathleen Harrington. For a character who plays such a central role in Ada's life, she at times appears lacklustre and lost. Even her "secret conversations" with Ada did not forge a connection with me. This made it quite difficult to empathise with Cathleen even during her most vulnerable moments, which is a shame because so much of what Ada was and what Ada became can be attributed to the friendship and affection that Cathleen shows her. Despite the one-dimensionality of her character, however, Cathleen's love and affection for Ada and Miriam does come across as genuine, and Ada's love and loyalty to "madam" does much to endear Cathleen to the reader. Some have called The Housemaid's Daughter the South African version of Kathryn Stockett's The Help (2009), which is about black maids in America's segregated South and which is also set in the 1950s. Although there are similar issues discussed in the novels, they are not the same. The Housemaid's Daughter stands on its own as a story of loyalty, duty, love, and music. It is a story of a friendship that survives seemingly impossible odds. But most of all, it is a story of hope. |
| Author David Finch seeks to be a better husband Posted: 29 Mar 2013 05:11 AM PDT The Journal Of Best Practices: A Memoir Of Marriage, Asperger Syndrome, And One Man's Quest To Be A Better Husband Author: David Finch Publisher: Scribner, 224 pages DAVID Finch discovers that he suffers from Asperger syndrome five years into his marriage, when wife Kristen sits him down with a diagnostic questionnaire. The discovery does not astonish him; rather, it allows him to understand the root cause of his behavioral issues and sets him on a journey of self-discovery, self-improvement and, finally, self-acceptance. Realising the impact his condition has on his roles as husband and father, Finch embarks on a mission to become better in these areas, relying for strength on his sense of humour and kaleidoscopic thought processes. Finch shares the details of his quest here through collected notes, Post-Its, and elaborate schemes in what he calls The Journal Of Best Practices. With honesty and self-deprecating humour, Finch allows the reader into his life of obsession, preoccupations and compulsions. Quirky details of his condition, such as the need for routine and uniformity (lining items in a particular order, circling the house every night, and checking each lock twice), are shared shamelessly. His easy going and comical writing works well to soften the disturbing details of his condition, yet one can still feel the struggle Finch and his wife face in managing their marriage and family through this ongoing and lifelong ordeal. Each chapter of the book is a delightful reminder Finch has prepared for himself – ranging from the general "Be her friend, first and always", "Just Listen" or "Go with the Flow" to the very specific "Give Kristen time to shower without crowding her" or "Laundry: Better to fold and put away than to take only what you need from the dryer". Finch meticulously describes all the acts that would displease Kristen and describes at length his mitigation plans. To be honest, though, reading some of the chapters did make me wonder if I was suffering from a mild case of Asperger syndrome – or, to be stereotypical about it, aren't all men like this? There are, however, serious parts to the book, where Finch narrates the damning effects his mental blockages have on natural human emotions. Particularly painful to read are his confessions of selfish preoccupation with himself and his emotional needs, overlooking those of his wife and children. The full extent of anguish and frustration that Asperger syndrome can cause within a family is well documented, with illuminating experiential explanation from Finch. I found these chapters deeply moving because here is a man who has found a platform on which he can stand tall and distinguish between himself and normalcy. The last pages of the book deserve a special mention. There is an excerpt of an interview that the publishing house had conducted with David and Kristen, and to me, the entire excerpt is a testimony to a marriage that has been saved. The camaraderie and banter between David and Kristen is heart-warming to read. It gives the reader a glimpse of the outcome of the Journal Of Best Practices when implemented, which is a marriage founded upon mutual respect and understanding. Finch easily wins his way into the heart of the reader, for who wouldn't admire a person who does so much just to be the right kind of husband to a deserving wife? Asperger syndrome or not, Finch proves that with a determined effort anyone can be the best version of themselves. And what better reason to make that effort than love? |
| Posted: 29 Mar 2013 01:23 AM PDT How To Create Chemistry With Anyone Author: Leil Lowndes Publisher: De Capo Life Long; 254 pages SINGLE ladies and men, this is your chance to learn how to attract the person of your dreams ... well, hopefully. Through this book, Leil Lowndes hopes to "spark that elusive feeling of chemistry with almost anyone – and sustain it when the relationship moves to the next level, from marriage to parenthood and beyond". Although chemistry is required in almost all relationships, most people don't understand how it works nor what makes it last forever. That's where Lowndes steps in and provides 75 easy communication strategies and techniques that show you what to do – and what not to do – when it comes to finding and keeping love. How To Get Things Done When You're Not The Boss Author: Nan S. Russell Publisher: Advantage Quest Publications, 231 pages ACCORDING to Nan S. Russell, it's not the position you're in that gets things done at the workplace or anywhere else, but the action that you take. So, if you're complaining about things at work and feel that you cannot do anything about it simply because you don't have the job title – stop whining. The author hopes to activate your inner leader and help you discover uncommon behaviours that will help you practice "title-less" leadership. Russell has shared her wisdom with a wide variety of people, from coal miners and navy engineers to college students and consulted at many Fortune 100 corporations. How They Made It Author: Lucy Smith & Jessica Spencer Publisher: Advantage Quest Publications, 221 pages HAVE you always had a dream job but have been too scared to go after it? Want to be the next Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerberg or Ryan Seacrest but don't know where to start? How They Made It takes a look at 22 successful people from a diverse range of industries to discover the secrets behind "how they made it". The book showcases exclusive interviews with people like The Smiths' guitarist and songwriter Johnny Marr, Shameless screewriter Paul Abbott, violinist Joshua Bell and many more. How They Made It also reveals the highs and lows of each individual's career path and their tips on how you could succeed in life as well. Your Next Big Thing Author: Ben Michaelis Publisher: Advantage Quest Publications, 237 pages ARE you one of those people who needs to be motivated at all times? Even for simple things like doing the laundry or picking up your children from school? Well, then maybe this book will be of use to you. Your Next Best Thing aims to help you set goals and, more importantly, achieve them while you're still alive. It also provides tips on how to get things moving in your stagnant life and get happy while meeting the targets you set along the way. The author has also included 10 strategies that may help you move with purpose and enjoy setting goals as well as achieving them. |
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