Wisdom.by Heather Neff, One World/Ballantine, April 2002 $24.00, ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m 0-345-44743-3 Heather Neff's compelling debut novel, Blackgammon, introduced readers to two fiercely independent soul sisters who embarked on a remarkable journey of self-discovery. Now in her sophomore work, Wisdom, Neff introduces us to Maia Ransom, who is on a mission to uncover her roots on the Caribbean island of St. Croix. Realizing that she is dying from ovarian cancer ovarian cancer Malignant tumour of the ovaries. Risk factors include early age of first menstruation (before age 12), late onset of menopause (after age 52), absence of pregnancy, presence of specific genetic mutations, use of fertility drugs, and personal history of breast , Maia, a nurse from Michigan, leaves the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. for a three-week stay in St. Croix. Her aim: to find out all she can about her ancestors Ancestors See also father; heredity; mother; origins; parents; race. archaism an inclination toward old-fashioned things, speech, or actions, especially those of one’s ancestors. Also archaicism. — archaist, n. , who once lived on a great estate called Wisdom, a story told to her by her grandfather. Her search takes her into the dark heart of the island's slavery and post-colonial legacy, involving her in a face-to-face, soul-to-soul battle against the Johanssen family that holds the key to her past and to her liberation. But Maia also finds true love with a successful local lawyer Noah Langston. Although Maids journey pulls her in several different directions, it is her struggle against Severin, the seventh of the Johanssen family men, that truly defines the novel. Using an array of strong symbols, images, characters and deftly deft adj. deft·er, deft·est Quick and skillful; adroit. See Synonyms at dexterous. [Middle English, gentle, humble, variant of dafte, foolish; see daft. placed commentary, Neff has created a convincing story from beginning to end. With Wisdom, she underscores her skills as a writer with depth, a sense of place, and a profound understanding of the human mind. --Denolyn Carroll is a frequent contributor to BIBR BIBR Bay Islands Beach Resort (Roatan, Honduras) BIBR Backward Indicator Bit Received . |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion