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The New Moon's Arms.


The New Moon's Arms By Nalo Hopkinson Nalo Hopkinson (born December 20, 1960) is a Jamaican-born writer and editor who lives in Canada. Her science fiction and fantasy novels (Brown Girl in the Ring, Midnight Robber, The Salt Roads) and short stories such as those in her collection  Warner Books, February 2007 $23.95, ISBN ISBN
abbr.
International Standard Book Number


ISBN International Standard Book Number

ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m 
 0-466-57691-8

Myth, mystery and, yes, menopause form a supernatural, life-affirming combination that have people literally walking out of the water in this Caribbean odyssey.

Calamity Lambkin Lamb´kin

n. 1. A small lamb.

Noun 1. lambkin - a very young lamb
lamb - young sheep
 is juggling her lover, her daughter Ifoema's frustration, and her deep-seeded anger towards Michael, her gay, grade-school sweetheart who is the father of her child--and she is up to her neck in resentment. Everything changes when the boy she names "Agway" washes up on the beach while she is giving herself a pity party. Immediately, as she takes to him, and once at the hospital, she reluctantly enlists the help of her uppity old high-school nemesis Dr. Evelyn Chow, who bends the rules to give Calamity temporary custody of Agway. The physiology of the oddly shaped Sea boy is scientifically noted by Chow, as she and Calamity embark upon a secret that slowly unravels as she examines him: "Well that's the odd thing. Normally you would get those parasites from eating undercooked fish," says Dr. Chow.

From the beginning, Calamity takes charge of the boy's well-being; not to mention Calamity's newfound introduction to "the change" has her out-of-sorts--her hot flashes hot flashes Hot flush Gynecology A symptom afflicting 80-85% of middle-aged ♀, first occurring during the perimenopause, continuing with ↓ intensity for yrs, manifesting itself as transient waves of erythema and uncomfortable warmth beginning in the  have the magic to reclaim lost things of sentiment. Nonetheless, her mouth and sharp tongue Noun 1. sharp tongue - a bitter or critical manner of speaking
tongue - a manner of speaking; "he spoke with a thick tongue"; "she has a glib tongue"
 continue to provide for a long road towards redemption. Her association with those closest to her are stripped to their essence, as old grudges are confronted and truths revealed.

Neatly intertwined against this drama are flashbacks of Calamity's first contact with the ethereal Sea people. Snapshots of the their origins are revealed in parable long before their likeness is captured by law enforcement and presented in the media for the community to speculate. Ironically, it is the motherly moth·er·ly  
adj.
1. Of, like, or appropriate to a mother: motherly love.

2. Showing the affection of a mother.

adv.
In a manner befitting a mother.
 instinct that Calamity seems to have suppressed for so long, which softens her heart towards the baby Agway's true predicament. "He wasn't lost! I'd found him!" she says. In letting go, Calamity finds what was always in front of her even after her father's funeral--family.

Once again, Hopkinson weaves a wonderful tale, one rich in fantastical storytelling.

Ahmad Wright is a freelance writer for the Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times

Morning daily newspaper. Established in 1881, it was purchased and incorporated in 1884 by Harrison Gray Otis (1837–1917) under The Times-Mirror Co. (the hyphen was later dropped from the name).
 Book Review.
COPYRIGHT 2007 Cox, Matthews & Associates
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2007, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Article Details
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Author:Wright, Ahmad
Publication:Black Issues Book Review
Article Type:Book review
Date:Mar 1, 2007
Words:363
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