In this novel, Tracy Price-Thompson weaves an epic tale of love, courage
and sacrifice between two people from two different cultures: Bishop “Chicken”
Johnson (Alabama, USA) and Abeni Omorru (Kenya, Africa). Bishop, a trained
boxer flees from a troubled past to work with the Peace Corps leaving behind his
“Brothaman” Malcolm and Malcolm’s grandparents (the Armstrongs). Abeni is psychologically
scarred by the painful past of her female circumcision at the tender age of six
and her reckless sexual behavior that left her feeling unloved.
When Bishop meets Abeni there is an instant connection. He sees past her
pain and loves her for the woman she is. Abeni for the first time is truly happy
and sees a future with Bishop without being judged for her prior sexual behavior.
They get married and welcome their beautiful daughter, Hundiata aka “Hunnie” into
the world.
They enjoyed many blissful years until they were summoned to Abeni’s parents’
(Banjoko and Ziwani) apartment to discuss Hunnie’s preparation for the ceremony
of female mutilation at the age of five. Upon hearing this, Bishop looks to
Abeni for support but none came. In that moment, he knew he had to take his
daughter away and risk dying to save her from this tribal practice.
This is where the story takes a turn that makes the reader sit on the
edge of their seat as Bishop navigates the streets of Kenya with Hunnie in tow trying
to survive Banjoko’s reach. Banjoko is an African of “convention and tradition”
and will stop at no lengths to hold the family to their tradition.
This is a well written story that invokes all your senses and takes you
on a journey that will have you rooting for justice. I was definitely on Bishop’s
team because I knew he would rather risk death than have his baby girl undergo
this tradition. The love, courage and sacrifices made throughout the novel will
have you tugging at your heart strings.
With well-developed characters and realistic descriptions of the people
and places, this is a must-read novel! Two
thumbs up.
Note: The cover didn’t do the book justice and is a bit
misleading but it’s a great story nonetheless.
Some of my favorite lines:
“Aw, hell. I
done got you spoiled.” He would tell me, laughing as he oiled the parts between
my braids or pressed my dresses for work.”
“Why are you
so good to me?” I asked.
He thought for
a moment, then said, “I didn’t have long with my parents, but what time we had
was good. When I got out of jail, Sugar Baby and Poppa Daddy picked up the
slack without missing a beat. With them I heard all about what Armstrong men
did and didn’t do. What I heard most was, ‛Armstrong men take care of their women.’” He
shrugged. “I’m a Johnson, and that’s a fact. Slim Willie’s blood runs hot in my
veins, but maybe I’m part Armstrong now too.” His voice trailed off, and a
faraway look entered his eyes. “Besides, I get to honor my mother every time I
honor you.”
Rating: 5 Stars
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