The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

Set in the deep South of America, this beautifully written and obviously well researched novel is narrated by its two main characters Belle and Lavinia.

It explores the issues of slavery and indenture, colour, love, truth, lies, loyalty and secrets and the at times horrifying power that Plantation Owners held over the lives of others. The language that Kathleen Grissom uses even when the characters are in the depths of despair is so vivid, so moving, that you feel as though you are there with them, treading in their footsteps, sharing their pain, their hardships, deep sorrows and lilting joys, wonderful friendships and you surely understand why some people went mad. There are parts of this book that are not particularly pleasant and characters that are so complex and devise that simply ticking the like/hate box isn't a possibility. Conversely you find yourself wanting a spoonful of the food that comes from the Kitchen House because gee it smells good.

The bonds of Family and Love no matter how strained, divisive and improbable are richly explored and so are the consequences of power, especially that whiled by Plantation Owners be it good, be it bad. The squelching of the Human Spirit or the nurturing of it is explored and as all good novels in this genre should do you actually want to know more, to visit a Plantation or an associated Historical Society would be Divine, I have made notes from her sources in case the possibility ever arises.

All in all this first novel is superb and her next is eagerly anticipated.

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

This book fairly well dazzles the living bippy out of you,so much so that you can't put it down.

Set in a small Wisconsin town circa 1907, it charms you, it seduces you and it lures you into the lives of its 3 main characters, Ralph Truitt, Catherine Land and Antonio Moretti.

Each has their own agenda, their own pain, their own need for redemption in what ever form that may take and each can be incredibly cunning and manipulative, devious, violent and in the case of one a poisoner, it is very hard to like them, in fact they quite probably will leave you feeling repulsed and yet little by little due to great character plotting and atmospheric setting you want to know where the next turn will take them and lead you, there is enough sex to make Granny blush but even Granny would have to say that this author uses words in such a magical way that the picture he paints for you will remain with you with a along time after you put this novel down, with all its awfulness it still manages to stand as a testimony to love, understanding and compassion with a sprinkling of forgiveness that breaks through the harshness that the Wisconsin winter brings to its pages and the surprises that greet you and at times leave you breathless.