September 2006 Archives

Reviewed by Renée Bosman, Reference Librarian for Government and Public Affairs

Pigs in Heaven tells the story of Taylor Greer and her adopted Cherokee daughter, who flee their Tucson home after a lawyer from the Cherokee Nation shows up on their doorstep claiming that Turtle's adoption is invalid and that she may need to return to the tribe. Although you may recognize these characters from Kingsolver's The Bean Trees, Pigs in Heaven is not a sequel and can be read independent of the earlier novel. It addresses some interesting issues, such as the balance between the rights of an individual and the sacrifices made for the sake of the community. Does Turtle rightfully belong with the only mother she has known for the past three years, or with Cherokee relatives who will instill in her the knowledge of her heritage and their identity? Kingsolver is aware that there are no easy answers, and one can detect a sense of the compassion and empathy that she has for all of the characters, in whom she creates the ability to see the issue in shades of gray.

The writing is lovely, as one would expect from Kingsolver, although I personally found some of the coincidences and the ending a bit too convenient. While it is still an enjoyable and worthwhile read, I would recommend some of her other novels — particularly Prodigal Summer and Animal Dreams — as better introductions to Kingsolver's work.

Cabell Library PS3561.I496 P54 1993
Spanish Edition: Cabell Library PS3561.I496 P5417 1995
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Reviewed by Renée Bosman, Reference Librarian for Government and Public Affairs

Peace Like a River is one of those rare novels that combines beautiful, almost poetic, language with engaging storytelling. Eleven-year-old asthmatic Reuben Land narrates the story of his family as their quiet Midwestern way of life abruptly ends in the winter of 1962, when his older brother Davy kills two teenagers who break into their home. During his trial, Davy escapes from jail one night and heads west, setting into motion a manhunt that soon involves federal investigators. Guided by faith, Reuben, his father, and his sister head west with hopes of reunion — though they have no idea where Davy is headed. "Once traveling, it's remarkable how quickly faith erodes," states Reuben. "It starts to look like something else — ignorance for example." Yet the Lands press on, with help along the way from friends both old and new, as well as from some well-timed miracles, brought on by the haunting character of Jeremiah Land, whose relationship with God is not unlike that of the Old Testament prophets. With compelling characters, lyrical descriptions of stark North Dakota winters, and its nod to the Wild West, Peace Like a River is an example of contemporary American literature at its best.

Cabell Library PS3555.N4223 P42 2001
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Reviewed by Kevin Farley, Collection Librarian for the Humanities

In TechGnosis: Myth, Magic + Mysticism in the Age of Information, Erik Davis (http://www.techgnosis.com/) writes in the tradition of the Canadian media philosopher Marshall McCluhan (http://www.marshallmcluhan.com/), who initiated the study of the effects of mass media — particularly advertising — on identity, consciousness, and individual freedom and autonomy. How much freedom is truly possible, McLuhan asked, in an electronic media environment that seems to program and control all of our thoughts and desires? Davis continues McLuhan's critique of media, arguing that, unlike past cultures, in which information was seen as a tool (one of many) that possessed greater or lesser degrees of usefulness, depending upon the nature of the information itself, in the Digital Age "People began to devote themselves more and more to collecting, analyzing, transmitting, selling, and using the stuff." Davis views the often unseen control of information — despite the seeming freedom it possesses on the Internet — as a fact never to be forgotten: "From the moment the first scribe took up a reed and scratched a database into the cool clay of Sumer," he writes, "information flow has been an instrument of human power and control — religious as well as economic and political." Part historical overview, part journal, and part stream-of-consciousness, TechGnosis bristles with Davis' musings on contemporary media and computer culture. Perhaps Davis' most important arguments address the dangers of the human tendency to invest tools and artifacts — including computers and the Internet — with the magical ability to create an eternal order and perfection within ourselves and in the world itself.

Cabell Library BL265.I54 D38 2004
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Reviewed by Renée Bosman, Government Information Librarian

This engaging novel consists of vignettes about Precious Ramotswe, proprietor of the only female-owned detective agency in Botswana. Part detective story, part ode to southern Africa, Mma Ramotswe's narrative weaves reminiscences about growing up in Africa with stories of her Miss Marple-style detective work, tracking down missing husbands, sneaky teenagers, and a kidnapped boy. Interspersed with these passages, Smith also explores themes such as colonialism and independence, traditions, and progress in southern Africa. His writing is deceptively simple and straightforward, yet beautiful, particularly the descriptions of the landscape and Mma Ramotswe's love for Africa. In Mma Ramotswe, Smith has created a charming character — honest, clever, and full of good old common sense, which serves her well in her chosen profession. Yet this book is not just for mystery readers; the solid writing, pleasing pace, and colorful characters make it a great choice for any reader. You may just fall in love with Mma Ramotswe and want to read more books in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

Cabell Library PR6063.C326 N6 1998