book reviews
Reviews of books that explore the complexities of family throughout history and across cultures.
Beloved
“Anything dead coming back to life hurts.” There is no experience that could possibly match that of being a mother. Valued for all they are, mothers have been created by the media to be the loving, nurturing type, but are never truly depicted facing the trials of what it means to be a mother in its entirety. Beloved, a love story rooted from the sincerest of love, is a Toni Morrison classic following the life of a woman found in the two greatest minorities: being a loving mother, and a slave. Throughout the novel, Sethe, the mother of four, is in constant turmoil after relentless abuse and mistreatment. It is this collection of experiences and her painful past that cause Sethe to face the most difficult of decisions as a mother. With the goal to provide and sustain a happy life for her children, her choice to kill one and attempt at the others was rooted in her love for each child.
By Kayla Starr8 years ago in Families
The Expectations of Children
Parents or guardians expect a child to achieve specific goals in their life. If the child shows signs in their early childhood years that they are not heading toward the straight path to these life goals the parent or guardian can become terrified of the unknown and deem them a disappointment. Additionally, this child is often treated unfairly, isolated, and neglected by the same people who are supposed to support him or her with unconditional love and understanding; that they will not conform to the life that their parents expect. In The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, the main character Despereaux is a non-conforming individual who naturally is not born with the mice-like instincts that his mom, dad and two siblings ascribe to. His mother states very early in his childhood to “please look for crumbs. Eat them to make your mama happy. You are such the skinny mouse. You are a disappointment to your mama.” (Di Camillo, 18) Despereaux, being a non-conformed mouse, is expected to be like all the other mice and follow all of the mice rules. When he does not follow the rules she and the rest of the family fear that he will become a disappointment and shame the entire family. This leads to Despereaux’s brutal treatment, isolation and neglect. Why does his family treat him negatively? Their expectations of Despereaux are not met and therefore, they fear that he will bring shame to their family. The author explores the ways in which Despereaux is treated when his parents and siblings don't accept the rambunctious mouse.
By Traveling From Heavenly Places8 years ago in Families
Books That Improve Family Relations. Top Story - July 2017.
Everyone alive is an expert on this most compelling of subjects. Nothing is, or ever was, more wonderful, more dreadful, more inescapable, or the subject of more talk than the family unit. Every clan and tribe has its tale to tell, and nearly all the tales I have heard shed some light on the chief question: what is it that makes a good family?
By Arnold Seleskey9 years ago in Families
A Quick Guide to the Best Family Books on the Market
Some books are the type of reading that you leave on a coffee table so that guests can flip through them, or just marvel at your taste in photography. Other books tell amazing tales of adventure into outerspace and satisfy your inner geek. Still more are filled with sordid tales of sex, drinking and drugs.
By Riley Raul Reese9 years ago in Families
