Book Review: Madapple by Christina Meldrum

Random House
2008
404 Pages
Available at Amazon

"I feel the weight of her in me the weight of knowing I've no option of escaping her."

Imagine being secluded from the everyday world. Imagine being schooled in the medicinal qualities of plants and the lore of ancient languages. Imagine believing you are the product of a virgin birth. Imagine having a mother whose secrets cast a shadow on your life, on who you are. This is the world of the novel's protagonist Aslaug Hellig, a sixteen-year-old girl confined to a life of limits, seclusion, and secrets.

In her debut novel, Christina Meldrum introduces young Aslaug as she is about to be torn from the only existence she has ever known. After the mysterious death of her mother, Aslaug is forced to face a world she has never known; the world her mother kept at a distance. Staying with family she had never before met, Aslaug hopes to answer the questions about her life that have always gone unanswered. However, the mystery surrounding her life only deepens. Aslaug's story takes a dramatic turn as we find that she has been thrust into the harsh realities of the judicial system as she stands trial for murder.

Meldrum interweaves science, religion, and mysticism as she tells a tale of intrigue that encourages readers to examine their own identity in light of the world around them. Meldrum draws in readers with a compelling mystery by juxtaposing Aslaug's journey with trial transcripts.

Language and tone are powerful tools that Meldrum uses to shape Aslaug's story. With an almost timeless element, the poetic language Meldrum uses works to reveal the limited nature of Aslaug's experiences. The tone is almost otherworldly, not unlike the life that Aslaug herself lives.

Being a former high school English teacher, I have read countless young adults novels. I do believe that Madapple bridges the gap between YA lit and traditional literature in that it very well will appeal to a wider audience. However, I do find that the mystical aura that surrounds Madapple may limit its YA audience. This may very well work to Meldrum's advantage in that the audience this novel will appeal to tends to be fiercely loyal to the genre. I look forward to whatever tale Meldrum decides to spin for us next.

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Book Review: Apologies Forthcoming by Xujun Eberlein

Livingston Press
2008
141 Pages
Available at Amazon

Through a collection of stories, Xujun Eberlein weaves poignant tales with the common thread being China's Cultural Revolution. Eberlein's stories reveal the impact of the revolution on the individual and how it shaped the decisions and actions both during and well after the revolution. Through the intimacy of her writing, it is apparent that Eberlein has a powerful understanding of the revolution, the people who experienced it, and their stories. It is with this knowledge that she shapes often unforgettable tales that reveal the personal turmoil, familial conflict, and societal indifference of a nation of people caught in the revolution and its aftermath.

The tones of the stories range from intense passion to distant indifference. This disparity seems to work well with the characters as it clearly shows the impact of the atrocities that occurred during the revolution. The passion is evident in Shanzi, a young city insert sent into the country, in "Disciple of the Masses." Cloaked in the naive passion of the cause, she seems often unaware of the direness of her situation.

Indifference proves shocking in "Watch the Thrill," as Eberlein tells the story of two young boys in the midst of national turmoil. Within the limitations of the Cultural Revolution, the boys find themselves bored and looking for excitement. A horrific event occurs before their eyes. What is shocking is not so much the event itself (as it appears to be a common occurrence during the revolution), but the shear indifference of one of the boys to the pain of a young man from their neighborhood who is headed for his death.

Eberlein reveals the challenges of relationships during era of the Cultural Revolution in the connecting tales, "Pivot Point" and "The Randomness of Love." By tracing the evolving relationship of a young educated woman and her married lover, Eberlein reveals the difficulty of making connections and maintaining them. Although this situation is common, what is riveting is the the path that Eberlein takes the young woman on; a path that will ultimately lead to either hope or utter despair.

The remaining tales feature young people figuring out who they are, families torn apart, friendships tested, and loyalties betrayed all occurring within the constraints of a pivotal time in China's history. With each story, Eberlein pulls in the reader with her honest narratives, strong characterizations, and simple and casual language.

As a regular reader of world and multicultural literature, I felt that Eberlein's writing style was rather unique in that she was able to capture the indifference and the passion weaved within her stories with a rather simple and honest style. Often it is easy to get caught up in the language and neglect the authenticity of the story. Clearly, no apologies are needed as Eberlein delivers an influential and unforgettable collection of tales.

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