This short work of 191 small pages is laid out as a daily diary of twelve sessions with an advisor/counselor during which the author, a young woman, goes over her life as a Dominican Republic immigrant to the US in NYC. She deals with family and making the rent as well as finding a job suitable for her duties while taking care of family members and their children. To be honest, I was disappointed in it nearly all the way ... until I wasn't toward the very end. It wouldn't surprise me if some readers threw in the towel, but it's short and the wrap-up is worth the effort.
The writing is in English, or course, unless it isn't. The "isn't" is Spanish until it isn't, and then it becomes Dominican Republic slang. Got all that? There are a large number of names of people with whom the author recounts or interacts with, described in her twelve interviews, and I never could keep most of them straight. Actually, I didn't even care. That's not good. After falling behind on her rent and being evicted, or nearly so, the writer also studies for her citizenship test.
It is hard to read the trials and tribulations of the Dominican community, and as told here it simply became a steep slog at times for this reader. The final session, number twelve, culminates with both negative and positive events. All in all, I suppose the ending is positive. It is hard to imagine that books such as this are hits and considered successful. Why heck, it was a book club selection for me so clearly some are impressed. The ending makes the slog worth it if you can stay the course and master the language hurdles.
Comments are welcome and will be published, pro and con. Make your observations below or send them to me via email at n3bb@mindspring.com. Email commenters will not be identified unless requested.
Enjoy life; it's the only one we will get.
J.K. (Jim) George
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Please recommend them to your friends. Also, recall that I’ll travel to any book club or radio club within two hours of Austin to discuss either of the books and answer any questions. Any and all comments are welcome either by email to my return address, n3bb@mindspring.com, or to the website in the comments section after any blog.
* Reunion is available in stock at Tamarack on the West Virginia Turnpike as well as at amazon.com and other Internet retail locations. It’s under consideration for a movie, and a screenplay now is under active development!
*Contact Sport is in stock in hardcover print format at any of the thirteen HRO (Ham Radio Outlet) stores nationwide as well as at DX-Engineering and the American Radio Relay League. In addition, many Barnes and Noble stores nationwide carry it in stock, and they, as well as Book People in Austin or any independent bookstore can order it. You can buy direct at my website’s link for a personalized copy.
*Both books now are available in Print, eBook, and Audio Book formats at all major Internet retailers or from my web site as a personally autographed copy in any print form.
