Category: Adult Fiction 18+, 396 pages
Genre: Contemporary Multicultural Fiction
Publisher: Sojounrer Books
Release date: November 2, 2020
Content Rating: PG13 & M:There's a suicide, reference to a past genocide, and reference to sex about to happen but no description of the sexual act.
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Gold Medal, Contemporary Fiction, 2021 Global Book Awards (formerly New York City Book Awards)
Finalist, Multicultural Fiction, 2021 International Book Awards
After two heartbreaking losses, Luna wants adventure. Something and somewhere very different from the affluent, sheltered home in California and Hawaii where she grew up. An adventure in which she can also make some difference.
Lucien, a worldly, well-traveled young architect, finds a stranger's journal at a café. Though he has qualms and pangs of guilt about reading it, they don't stop him. His decision changes his life forever.
Months later, they meet at a bookstore. Fascinated by his stories and adventurous spirit, Luna goes on a Peace Corps stint to a rural rice-growing village in Cambodia. There, she finds a world steeped in ancient culture and the lasting ravages of a deadly history. Will she leave this world unscathed?
An epistolary tale of courage, resilience, and the bonds that bring diverse people together.
The Shade Under the Mango Tree Combines a Variety of Elements for Readers. I am the first to say that I am not a huge fan of romance novels. Much of the context of The Shade Under the Mango Tree works to build, grow and express the romantic relationship between its main characters. Beyond that, there are more profound life stories, coming of age growth of the characters, learning and exploring cultures, history, and pains of the past touching the present. With its journal entries and memoir-like feel, the novel presents the story in a very realistic, emotional way for readers. I even enjoyed the novel's romance aspects as the characters' connections were developed thoughtfully throughout the book.
Details Bring this Novel to Life. The author's writing style gives so much description, detail, and development to virtually every page. Readers feel included in the settings, scenes, thoughts, and emotions shared by the characters. There were some times when the story moved about in time--or when I didn't stop reading at a good stopping point--that I would need to refresh myself a bit or reread a section to make sure that I was in the right "place." Mostly, the story was difficult to put down and well worth the required focus and attention to some of the details.
Would I Recommend The Shade Under the Mango Tree? Memoirs and coming of age novels are some of my favorites--and this combines the two very well into a more contemporary, fictionalized story. If you enjoy romance novels with deeper stories and connections to history and the world--this is a beautiful novel for your reading list. It isn't a light read--but well worth devoting your time and attention. I look forward to reading more from this author.
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