Yummah by Sarah A. Al Shafei
Bahrain is this little guy:
Um, I don't know that Bahrain is actually a little guy. Upon further research, it has over 1.2 million people. I'll be honest, I don't really know if that's little or not. I'm just gonna stick with that little guy. I like it.
So here's the description:
Khadeeja is a child who is forced into womanhood early. She is compelled to marry a man much older than she through arranged marriage and lives a world of hardships from then on. Her mother dies soon after her wedding, leaving her with a husband she hardly knows and two brothers she knows nothing of. Khadeeja learns to love her husband and win his love in return, but just as she thought her life was a beautiful love story her precious son dies from a scorpion bite. Grief and sadness become her new best friends. Her husband, whom she can't live without, abandons her without warning and she is left to raise and support eight children while pregnant with the ninth. Her brother, who finds out about his sister's misfortune and the truth behind his brother-in-law's actions, returns to Bahrain to take care of Khadeeja, but when he finds out about his cheating wife falls ill with sadness and grief and soon dies. Khadeeja forces herself to survive with the faith and patience she has inherited from her late mother and faces life's war with strength, courage and pride. She grows with her children; she grows with time; she grows with history - her country's history. She succeeds in raising wonderful children who go through their own share of happiness and misfortune. Her husband, who married another woman for money, returns filled with regret and in a wheelchair. Though Khadeeja was hurt and angry she opens her arms for him with love and forgiveness, but watching him die in her arms takes her back in time as she goes through the grief all over again. As a great-grandmother Khadeeja sits back to watch her triumph, her success and dies with dignity, leaving behind a legend to be remembered by many.
You may read that synopsis and think that it gives you the whole book, but it's misleading. *I'll try to weed out the incorrect parts without giving too much away.*
But let me start with: Wahoo! I finished this one in less than a week! Was it super long? No. Under 200 pages. Was it a difficult read? No. Almost childlike in its simplicity. Was it engaging? Yes. Fantastic story.
Ok. So yes, she goes into an arranged marriage at 12, but she's *totally in love* from the first day. Which, I gotta say, annoyed me a little. Partly because of my bias against arranged marriage, partly because the description makes it sound otherwise, and partly because twelve.
But, whatever. So when her mom dies (spoiler) she's just found out she's pregnant. So yeah it's obviously not an easy thing, but she has her husband who she loves and loves her, and the new baby that she's very excited about. So it makes it sound worse. It doesn't get really bad for her until her husband leaves. Although, I guess I can't really say that. I mean she was obviously a child when she had to become a wife and mother so that's gotta mess up your head. And she has a doll that's legit her best friend. So, psychologically (or social workologically!) I think you could probably make a case that she's pretty much mentally stuck at 12.
Honestly, it was a really good story and a fast read. There were just a few things that were hangups though. I imagine it was the translation, but it wasn't great...there were quite a few grammatical errors and a lot of missing commas. The language seemed very modern and western, but that could be my ignorance. It doesn't reference a time frame for quite a while so I'm guessing it begins in maybe the 1940s or '50s...I originally imagined it much earlier. But the actual story line really hooked me. It went in depth with this family and was pretty easy to follow. I also loved that there would be a foreign word for something and the author described what it was so it was easier for me to imagine the setting.
Some of the books on this around the world quest are kind of hard to find, and *I think* this was one I had to search for a bit. I might be making that up, but it sounds right. All I have to go on is the description so they're not all hits, but this one was definitely worth it. It's re-energized my enthusiasm for this challenge and I'm excited to start the next book. Even though I don't remember what anything about it. So...onward!
God's Angry Babies by Ian G. Strachan
You know the drill by now. Map of The Bahamas:
And book description:
This coming-of-age novel, by the Bahamanian writer, traces the lives of Tree Bodie and his three brothers as they grow up in the streets of Pompey Village, an area of extreme poverty hidden from the tourists who populate the luxury hotels. Creole conversation lends a distinct flavour.
I'd hoped to have this finished before I went on my trip to LA but didn't quite make it. Oh wellsies.
This was a pretty good read once I got the hang of it. It took a little bit because it went back and forth between "present" time and the main character's childhood. Also that Creole conversation was really freaking hard to understand. Luckily there's a glossary in the back for some of the really local words.
It was interesting because the author set this book during political upheaval. I don't know if any of that is based in fact but, if it wasn't, he's really good at bullshitting. It seemed very much like it could have been real; you had politicians who were corrupt and leeching off the citizens, and the people who were sick of their tax money being used for politician's personal gains. There was also discord between Tree and his mom; Mama supported the existing party and Tree (though he got blackmailed into working for them) did not. Oops, that may have needed a spoiler alert.
So I guess my only hangup with this book was having a hard time with the Creole. I would say if you're better than I am at interpreting it you should definitely read this.
So now I'm officially into the B countries, which I'm glad about, and I'll really try to read them faster. In other news, which I'm positive you've noticed, I don't know how to write book reviews. I'm bad at them and I feel bad. But read them anyway. K byeee!
All five and a half days, to be exact.
I know I haven't posted anything about life in quite some time; that's because it would mostly just be me whining. But I had a bright spot with with a trip down to one of my favorite places to see some of my favorite people.
The second I stepped outside LAX was a relief. Actual summer. Let me back up at this point to describe the shit weather this year has been. There was a day that I was at my limit, and it was actually a really nice day. I broke down multiple times and finally ended up calling Sister to see if I could visit, and ended up ordering tickets the next day. That nice day was June 18. The next sun we got was July 5. That's over two weeks of gray, rainy, dreary, cold crap. So just imagine my delight at the heat, humidity, and sunshine! If you can't imagine it, I was pretty fucking delighted. Sister picked me up and we talked all about what was going on in our lives and she told me about a new business project Brother-in-Law (BIL) has and what Little Princess (my niece) has been up to.
When we got to the house I was so excited to see my Little Princess! I'm pretty sure she's the most beautiful, quirky, just cool kid on the planet. I also promptly grabbed a beer and made a beeline for the pool. Little Princess joined me and blew up a 2 person float for us to share. Sister came out and worked in the yard and we all just caught up, and Little Princess and I planned our trip to Harry Potter Land for the next day. (Yes I'm aware that's not the actual name of it, it's just fun to say.) When we were ready to get out LP promptly flipped the float over for me to fall out. Jerk.
The next day LP and I headed out around 10:30, so by the time we got to the park it was pretty crowded. Once we could see the entrance to the HP section, she linked arms with me so we could walk in together very closely.
Oh my word. It was so fantastic and (I think) Hollywood has the smallest one...I can't even imagine how amazing the London version must be. We started with the Forbidden Journey (or whatever) ride and stood in line, in direct sun, for basically forever. My stupid knee was swelling and looking gross, and eventually LP decided she'd had enough (good with me). Off we went to the Three Broomsticks for food and Butterbeer. It also didn't suck to sit down for a bit. Also, the food was really good! We shared the Lemon Roast Chicken, so I recommend it if you go. The Butterbeer took a little getting used to since I'm not huge on butterscotch, but it was pretty refreshing.
After eating we both felt better and went into the shops, Ollivanders, Gladrags, Wiseacre's, Dervish & Banges, the Owl Post, Zonko's, Honeydukes. I was going to get my (official Pottermore...yeah, I went there) wand but I was a little disappointed that they're just plastic. Maybe I was being a little naive, but I was hoping they'd be made of actual wood. I may have been a little more forgiving if it hadn't been completely packed in the store. We checked out the demonstrations of the singing frogs and students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons too.
We decided to try for the Forbidden Journey again and ,again, stood in line for basically forever. TOTALLY WORTH IT. (Warning: there may be spoilers ahead.) Just outside the castle you go through the Greenhouse and there's a case of Mandrakes (LP said they scream at some point). Going through the castle the paintings talk and you end up in the Defense Against the Dark Arts room. In there, Ron, Hermione, and Harry talk to you and tell you to meet them in the Room of Requirement, which is where the actual roller coaster ride starts. I think there were only two or three actual rooms it takes you through and the rest is a screen, but it's AWESOME. Dragons, spiders (I had to close my eyes), flying, and traveling all over the castle. SO cool.
By the time we got home, I had a super wicked headache. It got worse and worse and started making me feel sick. And then I was sick. Like really really sick. And then I laid down for a little bit and then I was ready to party! Instead, Sister and LP and I watched The Pirates of Penzance...just as good if not better than partying.
Next day...I mostly spent hanging out with Sis and floating in the pool. That night Sis and BIL had a gig. I always forget how out of place I feel at those things. And also super jealous of what they do. It makes me wonder if I had actually tried in music if I could have gotten anywhere. Eh, probably not. It was also LP's 15th birthday. She hung out and celebrated for a little bit, and I had a lot of fun with her.
Saturday and Sunday LP had a horse show; she does barrel racing. Man that kid is awesome! She won some stuff. It was also really cool for the extra time I had to hang out with Sis and BIL on the drives in and out. Saturday night I also had the night with LP. It was a lovely time of dinner, froyo, and a movie. She's so cool. Sunday night I talked LP and Sis into letting me take them to dinner before more hanging out.
Monday morning LP and I got up early to do some shopping, and then we all had to pack for flights. I did not want to come back...I actually cried a little in Seattle.
So then it was back to dreary rain and stupid Juneau. Ok fine it wasn't the worst to see Soldier again. But whatever. Moral of the story: Juneau is the worst and LA is always fun. The end.
