Book Review: Olas Grandes by Barbara Mahase Rodman

Synopsis

On the island of Trinidad, a young woman, Rina Martinez, is asked to be a live-in teacher at Olas Grandes, a mansion perched atop sharp cliffs facing the sea. From the first mention of the house’s name Rina remembers reading in the papers about the tragedy that occurred there—the mistress of the house, Wanda Peron, had mysteriously drowned in a cove below the cliffs. Rina’s curiosity isn’t satisfied with the story, and she becomes increasingly curious when she finds Wanda’s magical diaries, where she discovers untold secrets about the household, including how deeply the mistress was involved in the practice of witchcraft. What is revealed when Rina wades through the magic and mystery that surrounds Olas Grandes not only implicates her, but also her deepening love for the head of household, Brian Peron.

 My thoughts

A very nice story set in Trinidad where we find Marina aka "Rina" on her way to the Peron estate of Olas Grandes as a tutor to young Davey, child of millionaire Brian Peron who tragically lost his wife Wanda in a mysterious drowning. This mystery plagues Marina as she becomes curious about the cause of Wanda's death. Her curiosity it seems becomes dangerous as she begins receiving cryptic notes in her room warning her to stay away. in the midst of all the mystery Rina has become smitten with Brian and is hoping to be noticed.

I am always happy when I find books by Trinidadian authors because it they are always so relatable and fun to read. Olas Grandes though speaks of Trinidad in the older days which gave it a different twist to something more contemporary but it had the same effect on me as most local works of fiction. I loved reading about the estates and that aspect of Trinidadian life. What was good was that the book was almost read in one sitting which was great. A very simple, quick and enjoyable read full of mystery and intrigue. If you get a copy you will enjoy it as well.

BOOK REVIEW: THE SONG OF ACHILLIES by Madeline Miller

 

Synopsis 

Achilles, "the best of all the Greeks," son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift, and beautiful, irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods' wrath.

They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

My thoughts 

This book has exceeded my expectations.

I was unsure if I would like a story such as this one. Besides watching TV shows in my youth like Hercules and Xena Warrior Princess, I have limited knowledge of Greek mythology. After reading the Song of Achilles I must say that I am extremely happy about stepping out of my comfort zone.

This book has to go down as one of the best books I have ever read. This story of Achilles and his companion Patroclus captured the true meaning of friendship and love and how far someone would go to protect loved ones even from themselves. I am now interested in reading the next book Circe by Madeline Miller. I am told that it is a great story as well.

Many people said this book was sad. I do think it was emotional but honestly I really liked how it ended. At first I didn't know what to make of Patroclus he seemed so weak in my opinion at first but I enjoyed reading about his growth. Actually I was more captivated by Patroclus than Achilles. 

In all, this story was really enjoyable.

BOOK REVIEW: PLEASANTVIEW by CELESTE MOHAMMED

 

SYNOPSIS

Coconut trees. Carnival. Rum and coke. To many outsiders, these idyllic images represent the supposed easy life in Caribbean nations such as Trinidad and Tobago. However, the reality is far different for those who live there—a society where poverty and patriarchy savagely rule, and where love and revenge often go hand in hand.

Written in a combination of English and Trinidad Creole, Pleasantview reveals the dark side of the Caribbean dream. In this novel-in-stories about a fictional town in Trinidad, we meet a political candidate who sets out to slaughter endangered turtles for fun, while his rival candidate beats his “outside-woman,” so badly she ends up losing their baby. On the night of a political rally, the abused woman exacts a very public revenge, the trajectory of which echoes through Pleasantview, ending with one boy introducing another boy to a gun and to an ideology which will help him aim the weapon.

Merging the beauty and brutality of Trinidadian culture evoked by writers such as Ingrid Persaud and Claire Adam with the linguistic experimentation of Marlon James’s A Brief History of Seven Killings, Pleasantview is a landmark work from an important new voice in international literary fiction. 

MY THOUGHTS

Pleasantview is a short story collection that will blow you away and guess what it is a book set in a fictitious town in Trinidad. 

For anyone who is curious about the every day life of average folks in Trinidad read this book. While this is a work of fiction, each story speaks to the highs and lows of life in Trinidad touching on issues of migration, unemployment, religion, corruption, family struggles, politics and even culture. Reading this gave me an entire experience.

The highlight was the author's ability throughout the book to use Trinidadian prose. This gave the book a sense of realness and made me enjoy it even more.

In all this was just hands down good writing and deserving of my five star rating on Goodreads.