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#90 Sweetsmoke
This novel, written by screenwriter David Fuller, tells the story of Cassius Howard, the carpenter slave owned by Hoke Howard, a Virginia tobacco farmer. A series of tragic events transformed Cassius from his place Hoke’s favorite and it cost him dearly. The only bright light in the entire situation was the time that Cassius was allowed to recuperate with Emoline Justice, a free black woman. Although Cassius learns a lot from Emoline, her example does not stop him from hardening himself to life and others when he returns back to the plantation. As time goes on, however, he becomes less able to avoid stepping in and helping others when he senses trouble. He even finds himself opening his heart to another slave. When he learns that Emoline was viciously murdered and that there were no plans for the local officials to even investigate it, he cannot and no longer wants to simply sit back and allow this injustice to continue. He vows to find her killer and bring that person to justice no matter what it cost him.
This is a novel that took me by surprise. I can’t say that it started out slow, because that would do it a disservice. What is true is that the first 100 pages built toward something that took me and held my imagination captive until the end. As a reader, I felt that I understood fully what it meant to be a slave. I felt I understood why Cassius had no hope for freedom in his life. Yet, as this same reader, I held out hope for him. In that way, Cassius was much more prepared for what he faced than I was. Much more prepared. When Cassius is forced to watch a female slave be sold in town, I could barely breathe. It was not an unfamiliar scene, but the added details shook me inside. Despite his distaste, Cassius swallowed him emotions as he was expected. In fact, Hoke appeared more tore up about what happened.
Fuller brings the world of slavery to light in a fresh and unique way. The most notable and thought provoking way that Sweetsmoke conveys the dehumanization of slaves was stylistic. When a free person spoke, be they black or white, rich or poor, their words were encased by quotation marks. Not so for the enslaved. When Cassius, Mam Rosie, Big Gus, and the others like them spoke, there were no quotation marks. This tripped me up fairly often at the beginning of the novel. I would read a paragraph and in my confusion realize that I was reading dialog, not prose. My reading quickly improved, but even at the end I stumbled from time to time. Still, I appreciated this choice on the part of the author. It brought home how insignificant slaves were to their owners. The fact that they might have hopes and dreams was wholly ignored and brushed aside. This was something they embodied every day. They didn’t have a last name of their own, so why would they think that their words should be heard or set apart? The lack of quotation marks makes perfect sense.
Sweetsmoke is a compelling and relevant historical novel about the lives of slaves and plantation owners. In Fuller’s world there are good and bad people on both sides of the front door of the big house. No one is idolized or demonized. Like reality, characters simply are who they are. They are not stereotyped. If you want to read challenging historical fiction, you should read this book.
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To buy this novel, which will be released on August 26, click here
A Little Dose of Inspiration A Guest Post & A Contest
While I’m not much more inspired today than I was yesterday, at least my post from last night and the picture I found using Google Images inspired Lisa Roe from Online Publicist. At the end of the post you will find details about the contest this post inspired me to hold… 
A Little Dose of Inspiration?
Playing off of Jennifer’s post from Tuesday, I had a thought. We’re all feeling a bit blah-si-blah recently. With the conclusion of summer upon us (yes. It’s almost August now. Eek.), it’s time to reflect on the trips not taken, the plans aborted (I did not make it to German Fest AGAIN this year), and the books not read.
Wow. That’s depressing. I really intended on accomplishing much, much more this summer! Especially when it came to books. I read books for my projects, I read online content, and I read a postcard. Not that I’m complaining! I love what I do. I firmly believe we all do, but, there is a time when the weight of the books brings us down.
So, with that in mind, I feel we need to look at our TBR’s in a different way. Instead of gazing at that pile with a sense of foreboding and obligation, we need to shed a different light on them. Or move them to a different spot, spread the stack around, place them somewhere unusual or unexpected. Then take a picture and post it on your blog! Maybe once we look at the books in an artistic way, without the words, font, editing errors, and storylines getting in the way, we can see them as the beautiful objects they are instead of ‘work’.
I was going to stack mine outside by my reading bench for the photo, but when I came in, I found my darling kitty had his own affections for my titles, so I instead took this one:
Aw! My heart now explodes with joy at the thought of those books! ? I can’t wait to see what images you all come up with!
Creative TBR Photo Contest
I was so excited by Lisa’s post that I decided to hold another contest. If Lisa’s post sparked your imagine to take a creative picture of your TBRs, submit your photo to me with a title. I’ll post all of the pictures I get anonymously (using only the title provided) on Monday, August 11. I’ll have all of my readers vote for the title that is most inspiring to them. The picture that captures the most votes as of 5pm EST on August 15 will win a $15 Amazon email gift certificate from me. Have fun! I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Literate Housewife, Currently Uninspired
I just spent 30 minutes of precious “children are asleep” time sitting in front of the TV watching Tori and Dean. The last time I sat down on the couch by myself to channel surf was so long ago that I don’t even remember it. Danny and I have been watching Movie Mob every week and that is about it. So why now?
It’s Tuesday when I should be happily participating in Tuesday Thingers (nothing personal, Marie – I swear!). For whatever reason, I didn’t get any further than copying and pasting the question into a blank post. I have just over two days to go in July Book Blowout and I’m just blah. I don’t care to pick up my book. I can’t concentrate or feel inspired to write either of the two reviews I have waiting on the back burner. One of those books I really didn’t like and those reviews are usually the easiest to write. I just want to veg right now and that’s about it, folks. I don’t know if it’s the weather (hot and muggy) or a let down from a lot of changes at work (all positive) that happened over the past week or so. I just can’t say.
I think I just need to get some sleep. Maybe in the morning Literate Housewife will be the one to wake up tomorrow. Right now, it’s just Jennifer and she’s got about enough energy to push Publish and that’s it.
July Book Blowout Update Day 28
Well, it’s been a while since my last update. In that time, I finished reading 37 by Maria Beaumont, Sweetsmoke by David Fuller, and Rabies Mom by Pat Carrol and Jack McGowan. I’m midway through my review of Sweetsmoke, so I hope to publish that this evening or tomorrow morning. I’m currently reading The Four Seasons by Laurel Corona. I’m about 70 pages in and am enjoying it so far.
The real question on my mind is whether I’ll be able to make my personal challenge of reading 10 by the end of the month. I’m just not sure I have 2 and 3/4 books left in me in three days. We’ll see. Where there’s life, there’s hope.
Literate Housewife’s Official Challenge Tally
7/10 books complete 5/5 reviews posted
#89 37
37
As someone whose 37th birthday is quickly approaching, I could not turn down the opportunity to read this novel by Maria Beaumont. It chronicles the approaching midlife of Fran Clark, a talented former voice over actress living in London. Fran left acting 10 years earlier when she started her family with her husband Richard. As her 37th birthday party nears, her life and drinking habit get more and more out of control. When everything is finally turned upside down on the night of her party, Fran has to choose between finding a way to recreate herself or give in to the alcoholism that runs in her family and potentially ruin her children’s childhood. What seems obvious to everyone surrounding her proves to be very difficult for Fran.
37 was written in a comfortable, conversational tone. As someone who has never been to England, I very much enjoyed the dialog. It was delightfully different from what I am used to. Part way through the book the voice in my head while I was reading it even took on a British accent ala Madonna. I love how so often sentences were ended in rhetorical questions. No one uses the word brilliant quite like the British.
Conversation aside, life in upper-middle class London isn’t all that much different than it is here in the United States. Fran has two wonderful best friends, but they are but a life raft in shark invested waters. Fran’s relationship with her husband suffers from what sadly happens far too often after children are born. The mothers running her school’s equivalent to the PTA act and react just like catty women everywhere. Beaumont nailed the competitive nature between women that has no real reason to exist. Women are our own worst enemies.
37 was somewhat heavier than I had anticipated, but it read quickly. I related to Fran and empathized with her experiences. The ending was satisfying and inspiring. I hope that Maria Beaumont continues to write. Her voice is what made this story special.
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To buy this book, click here
Announcing the Literate Housewives’ Book Club Contest!
Trumpeter VIII by Elyse Ashe Lord
As a teaser earlier this week, I indicated that I was getting several copies of a historical fiction novel to give away to a few of my readers. I’m going to use those free copies to relaunch The Literate Housewives’ Book Club, which has been inactive since the end of December. I’m excited to announce that I have three copies of Immortal by Traci Slatton to give away! At the end of this post is the book trailer and a Q&A with the author.
About the Contest:
1) Please only enter this contest if you’re willing to participate in my online book club. The first 15 people to sign up will receive a personalized bookmark made by me, whether they win a copy of the book or not.
2) To be entered in the contest, leave a comment to this post with at least one suggestion for making an online book club fun and successful. You will get one entry into the contest for each suggestion, up to a total of three entries.
3) If you blog about this contest, you’ll get two additional entries into the contest. Send me an email or leave a comment with the link.
4) The deadline for entering the contest will be Friday, August 8.
5) In addition to receiving a free copy of the book, the winners will also receive a personalized hand made bookmark that is specific to the book as a special thank you for taking this journey with me. They will also have contributor rights to the blog in order to post questions, topics, etc…
6) If you already own a copy of Immortal and would like to participate, let me know. I’ll send you a bookmark as well.
I will be retooling the LHBC site in the meantime in preparation for the relaunch. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this. I hope that this will be as much fun for me as it will be for everyone else.
About the Book
Q&A for Traci Slatton
Author of Immortal
Tracilslatton.com
Tell us about your book, Immortal.
Immortal is a rags-to-riches-to-burnt-at-the-stake story. It’s a journey of spirit and an education of the heart. That said, it’s the story of a mysteriously gifted street urchin who undergoes the darkest moments possible and still goes on to find true love, deep friendship, hope, faith, and ultimately the deepest secrets of his origins.
Why did you write this book?
I love to tell stories! I was working on a non-fiction book about science and spirituality. (Piercing Time & Space, ARE Press, Virginia Beach, VA: 2005.) It was fascinating research, but I found myself longing to write fiction, to create characters and wrap myself around adventure, conflict, and obstacle. Story lust drove me.
The book takes place in Florence during the Renaissance: What inspired you to choose this setting?
This goes back to the previous question. Renaissance Florence is a character in this novel–it’s inextricably interwoven into the story. It’s why I wrote THIS book. More explicitly, I am married to Sabin Howard, who is one of the foremost classical figurative sculptors working today. (www.sabinhoward.com) Think Michelangelo’s work: that’s what my husband’s work resembles. Moreover, Sabin is half-Italian; his mother is from Torino and he is completely fluent in the language. So, for him, Renaissance Italy is alive and well. It’s a part of our everyday discourse. I was always interested in Renaissance art but it’s become a passion because of living with Sabin.
Also, Florence between 1300 and 1500 was an intense and extraordinary place, almost unequalled in history. Art, philosophy, learning, commerce, banking, and government were all burgeoning and concentrated into this small city, making it the center of Europe. Out of Florence radiated invention and innovation. One of the popes called it “The fifth element of the universe.” Only Paris between the two world wars comes close to the fervor of creativity that was taking place in Florence during the Renaissance. It’s a powerful time to write about.
How did you come up with a protagonist like Luca?
I wanted a character who would meet and make an impression on my two great Renaissance heroes: Giotto and Leonardo. This character had to be the kind of man who could inspire love, lust, envy, admiration, and riveting hatred in other people. And he was going to face terrible challenges, so he had to have personal resources to help him through. And his suffering would make him humble and give him a hunger to love and be loved.
Lucas plays many different roles – orphan, companion, healer – throughout the story, which do you personally relate best to?
Perhaps to the healer and the companion. I was a hands-on or spiritual healer for many years, and Luca gets to do what I always longed to do: lay hands on and cure someone completely, even bring a dying man back to life.
I have four daughters, and in the best moments of parenting, there is a companionable aspect to it. There are moments when all the little stuff falls away, all the blah-blah-blah about messy bedrooms and parties and grades and allowances and health concerns, and my children and I are friends, laughing together. Even my little one, who is 3, sometimes sits and chats with me as if we were two good buddies. I treasure those moments.
Luca meets da Vinci, Botticelli…“immortals” whose impact on society is still apparent. Can you talk to us about some of those figures, and the way they still shape modern society?
They have left a legacy of art and ideas which is the foundation of western civilization. Petrarch, who is a friend of Luca’s in Immortal, articulated the notion of the individual self (see Ascent of Mount Ventoux) on which we built the United States: “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights.” This is a radical change from the earlier systems of society, and it came out of the Renaissance. The great Cosimo de Medici who led Florence from 1434 to 1464 established the Platonic Academy, which formulated the ideals of humanism which are now axiomatic in our worldview. Even our pop philosophy, eg The Secret, has its roots in Pico della Mirandella’s Oration on the Dignity of Man: “O highest and most admirable felicity of man to whom it is granted to have whatever he chooses, to be whatever he wills!”
The great artists like Leonardo and Botticelli left us ideals of beauty that are still unparalleled. Leonardo left behind a prototype of a polymath genius as the highest aspiration.
Part of what makes Luca’s story so beautiful is the time period it is set in and the people he encounters. Do you think it would have had the same significance had it been placed at another time, such as the present?
Renaissance Florence is such an integral part of the story that it’s hard to say. I am, however, considering bringing Luca back in a future book that is set in Paris between the two world wars. Readers who love Luca can stay tuned…
Luca witnesses many important historical events throughout his life. What kind of research did you conduct for these?
I read a million books (okay, maybe a hundred), searched on-line, spoke with friends and relatives with extensive historical knowledge (my husband is a Renaissance sculptor and my father-in-law is a history teacher with a PhD), and I corresponded with, or spoke to, a couple of professors. I also like the History channel for shows on history! And we visited Italy several times, spending much time in the Medici chapel in Florence and the Pinacoteca Vaticano in Rome.
No one but me is to blame for inaccuracies, distortions, and out right fallacies.
What are your future writing plans in writing?
I am working on the sequel to Immortal right now.
Any advice you could give to beginning novelists out there?
Persist! And know who to trust with your work.
#88 The Gargoyle
The Gargoyle
Death often brings about new life. After his near fatal car crash that left him permanently disfigured and emasculated by a significant amount of 3rd degree burns, the unnamed narrator of this novel spent a great deal of his lengthy hospital stay planning his eventual suicide. His life as a porn star and producer of adult films went up in smoke like his skin. He had no interest in making a new life after the death of his good looks and his livelihood – at least not until Marianne Engel, a patient in the hospital’s mental health unit, unexpectedly begins visiting his bedside and telling him how their lives have been intertwined now for several hundred years.
The Gargoyle follows the narrator through his hospital recovery and beyond in a compelling way. While the narrator’s salacious past and gruesome present are fascinating, Marianne Engel’s stories are poetic, mystical, and engrossing. I do not want to reveal too much of the plot here. It’s best to go into this book knowing as little as possible. Just expect to go on a ride like no other. One image that has not left me since reading this book is of the woman who stands watch for an hour each day by the edge of the cliff, never losing hope that her beloved husband will return. I can smell the salt in the air as the breeze whips her hair about in the wind. Her anguish makes that story of love all the more beautiful. There is no down time in this book. Each section moves the story forward.
Words cannot accurately express how intense and wonderful The Gargoyle is. From the first scenes of the unnamed protagonist’s fiery car crash to the conclusion, I was hooked into his world of burnt flesh and the possibility of a love strong enough to be tested by fire over and over again. It was a pleasure to go to hell and back with Andrew Davidson. This book is inspiring. It will encourage its readers to write. It will encourage its readers to come back again. Trust me, you definitely must read this book.
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To buy this novel, click here
BTT Favorite First Lines
Suggested by: Nithin
Here’s another idea about memorable first lines from books.
What are your favourite first sentences from books? Is there a book that you liked specially because of its first sentence? Or a book, perhaps that you didn’t like but still remember simply because of the first line?
It’s funny that this would be a question for this group. When I reviewed The Monsters of Templeton, I basically answered these questions. I was so drawn in to the story by the first line of that novel:
“The day I returned to Templeton steeped in disgrace, the fifty-foot corpse of a monster surfaced in Lake Glimmerglass.”
I knew that I had to keep reading. It also called to mind the first lines of two other books that I have memorized:
“Call me Ishmael.”
I absolutely hated Moby Dick, that line is so famous, it will always be in my brain.
My all-time favorite first line comes from my all-time favorite novel, Gone with the Wind:
“Scarlett O’Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm as the Tarleton twins were.”
So, my post from last year pretty much answered these questions. It’s a great topic and I’m looking forward to reading everyone else’s answers.
The Envelope, Please…
On this very special day (Mathias B. Freese’s birthday), I am happy to announce the winner of a signed copy of The i Tetralogy:
Shana from Literarily
Yeah!!! Please send me your mailing information and I will forward it on to the author.
Thank you to everyone who entered this contest. I really appreciate all of the suggested reading on the Holocaust. I’m going to compile that list and post it very soon.
Stephen King To Judge SHOMI Book Trailer Contest
I received the following press release today and I thought I would share it with everyone given our recent conversation about book trailers. I would love to give something like this a try, but I don’t typically read that genre. It might be fun to create my own though…
Filmmakers Challenged to Synthesize Two Storytelling Media
New York, NY-July 22, 2008-Dorchester Publishing and Circle of Seven Productions have teamed up to present a contest offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for amateur and professional filmmakers who also love books. Participants will create book trailers based on their favorite novel in the SHOMI series of modern-day fantasy fiction. The best trailer-as selected by internationally bestselling author Stephen King-will be shown at a movie premiere in New York City as well as a theater in the winner’s home market.
The contest will provide a creative outlet for the filmmakers’ visions while ultimately allowing the winner to showcase his or her talents before a potential audience of tens of millions of people through Circle of Seven’s distribution relationships. “We’re thrilled to offer filmmakers a means to broadcast their gifts,” said Brooke Borneman, Director of Sales and Marketing for Dorchester, “and hope that the contest gives the winner a platform that will propel his or her film career to new heights.”
Book trailers-which are similar in style, content, and technique to movie trailers-are a powerful and increasingly popular method for communicating why a particular novel or series of novels is a ‘must read.’ A memorable short film can visually highlight a book’s most compelling elements and draw viewers into the story and the author’s universe, making a prospective reader want to know more.
A groundbreaking line of speculative fiction that combines the best elements of the fantasy, thriller, science fiction, cyberpunk, and romance genres, the SHOMI imprint has been hailed by reviewers for its genre-blending, high-velocity action-adventure stories and emotional impact.
“SHOMI books have received comparisons to films ranging from Underworld and Resident Evil to Blade Runner and The Matrix,” explained Borneman. “The cinematic quality of the books and the sheer physicality of the storytelling are what make the SHOMI universe a natural for filmmakers to explore.”
For more information on SHOMI and complete rules for the contest, including submission guidelines and deadlines, please visit www.shomifiction.com.
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Stephen King is the internationally bestselling author of over 40 books and the recipient of The National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, 2003. He lives in Maine and Florida with his wife, novelist Tabitha King. For more information, please visit www.stephenking.com.
Dorchester Publishing has been publishing mass-market books since 1971, making it the oldest independent mass-market publisher in America. In addition to building the careers of New York Times bestselling authors such as Christine Feehan, C. L. Wilson, and Marjorie M. Liu, Dorchester distributes the award-winning Hard Case Crime line of pulp mysteries and the Cosmos line of SF/Fantasy novels. Dorchester novels are available wherever books are sold and online at www.dorchesterpub.com.
Circle of Seven Productions created the Book Trailer market in 2002 and is the leader of book trailer production in the United States. Circle of Seven Productions encompasses a network of experienced, professional production partners who have won awards, created commercials for high profile companies and created music videos for well known celebrities. For details regarding their video distribution platform, please visit www.cosproductions.com.
Book Blogger Con
Have you heard about the 1st Annual Book Blogger Convention that will be held in NYC during the BEA? You should check it out. I know it will be a fantastic experience. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend due to family obligations, but I'll be trolling blogs for up to the minute news.
WE Magazine’s A Woman Blogger to Watch
Literate Challenges
What's in a Name? 3
Random Reading Challenge
