Origin by Diana Abu-Jaber


Origin by Diana Abu-Jaber entices the reader to think about the role of identity in the world.  It's a beautifully written novel that doesn't shy away from intense topics.  Abu-Jaber creates a main character, Lena, who is hard to know, confusing, and at times even hard to like, but who will entrance the reader.  At times her thought process frustrates the reader but always with a purpose.  Abu-Jaber weaves a tale around infant deaths, adoption, foster care, and mental illness that entertains the reader while pushing the reader to step outside the accepted sociological mindset.  The ending leaves a few unanswered questions leaving the reader to wonder if Abu-Jaber plans subsequent novels about Lena.  Origin is a well written, engaging tale that is both fantastical and all too real at times.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Snitch in Time by Sunny Frazier

Image
Sunny Frazier always delights, and A Snitch in Time is no exception. She writes the Christy Bristol series in a way that feels lighthearted even in its darkest moments. When Bristol goes on vacation to visit her friend, Lennie, she never expects to get drafted into working for a different department doing her job. Bristol is intrigued enough by the crime at hand that her protestations seem half-hearted at times though her annoyance is very real. When she and Lennie get into a fight, she's left with nothing but the work the department expects her to do. Frazier drops the reader in the Sierra Nevada Foothills creating a sense of isolation that makes the reader cheer for Bristol to stand up to her superiors and get out of there while simultaneously wanting to her to solve the crime. When a witness contacts Bristol via phone she doesn't take her seriously at first only to discover she might have vital information. With suspicion cast in multiple directions, Bristol isn't sur...
Read more

Exit to Freedom by Calvin C. Johnson and Dr. Greg Hampikian

Calvin C. Johnson Junior’s story shines a spotlight on the issues within the American criminal justice system, yet is story is also one of self-discovery.   Together Johnson and Dr. Greg Hampikian write of a travesty with honesty and integrity.   Even though this story has a happy ending, don’t expect it to read like a novel.   It deals with heavy topics that are handled without ever forgetting there are real people involved.   The authors don’t attempt to paint Johnson as a hero or a victim.   They portray him as a human complete with flaws.   At time he will infuriate you and at others touch your heart deeply.   Telling someone’s truth as it really was is a difficult job, but Johnson and Hampikian shine in Exit to Freedom.
Read more

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt

Image
The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt was recommended reading for a class I took on morality. After watching his Ted Talk, I was intrigued, so I decided to read the book. I hoped for insight to help me communicate better with those with whom I disagree about politics and religion... This book didn't provide that kind of guidance. Haidt's research is interesting. His conclusions less so. His writing is approachable, and he explains both his research and his conclusions well. However, I found his redefining of terms to better fit his research disheartening because it felt disconnected from reality. I found The Righteous Mind reminiscent of religious apologists only applied to politics. The vast majority of the book hones in on politics leaving little room for a discussion on religion. Honestly, I found The Righteous Mind frustrating and insulting while it re-enforced my disdain for labels even when it tried to achieve the ...
Read more