Discovering Literary Gems Discovering Literary Gems Underrated Reads

The Sable Cloak – by Gail Milissa Grant

Posted on February 20, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow South, readers are first taken to Greenston, South Carolina, in 1934. We meet Big Will who upon turning eighteen, must join the neighborhood’s vigilante group to keep justice in an area of town that is ignored by white police. Big Will cannot reconcile his conscience with what he has been tasked to do, so the inner turmoil leads him on a journey away from home, ultimately landing him in St. Louis to live with his cousin and her husband, successful undertaker and politically powerful Jordan Sable.

But to fully understand the family history and dynamics, we’re taken back to Greenston in 1911 and move forward. As the reader is immersed in the riveting events of each of the characters, we keep Big Will’s situation in the back of our minds.

One of the novel’s most compelling strengths is its portrayal of the strong family and community bonds through the segregated South and Midwest. It sheds light on issues of class within the Black community along with the open opportunities for advancement. The characters are richly developed, each with a distinct voice and a history that shapes their motivations. Their struggles and triumphs feel authentic, making for an emotionally resonant read. Though citizens ae not immune to family secrets, we learn how a community can rally behind its neighbors.

The Sable Cloak is based on real-life accounts. Author Gail Milissa Grant’s mission was to show the achievements of overlooked African Americans, and this story serves as a tribute to perseverance and success against systemic oppression. These precursors launched a social movement that continues today. Sadly, Grant passed away in 2024 before this book was published, but her work and storytelling live on.

A mesmerizing and eye-opening read, The Sable Cloak cherishes those who demonstrated resilience and compassion. It captivates from the first page and refuses to let go.

Posted in Historical Fiction | Tagged African American history, family, Jim Crow, racism, segregation, St. Louis | Leave a comment

An UnderratedRead Revisited: The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You: Stories – by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

Posted on February 14, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

“In New Orleans, culture doesn’t come down from on high, it bubbles up from the street.” – Jazz Pianist Ellis Marsalis (1934-2020)

This quote that opens the book epitomizes these stories, as we meet New Orleans residents of all ages and gender identifications just trying to make it day by day.

I was grabbed immediately while reading the first and title story, “The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You”. We meet a male teenage prostitute who is just hoping for something more. I didn’t think that this one could be outdone. I was wrong.

New Orleans Author Maurice Carlos Ruffin relates these poignant tales with honest, cutting language, using the vernacular of his characters. Though the stories are often ill-fated, he manages to skillfully intersperse humor in many of them.

Such is the case of my favorite, “Ghetto University”. Here, an English professor who specializes in the works of Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, resorts to mugging tourists in the French Quarter. He justifies his actions with absurd reasons, such as that he is doing a service to his victims.

I wish some of the shorter stories were longer. As I became immersed in the plot and characters, they would end, even though the conclusions made sense.

I couldn’t get the final story out of my head though. “Before I let Go”, features a woman whose house is about to be foreclosed. Though the house has been in her family for generations, she incurred debt while making repairs on it after Katrina. Through no fault of her own, every time she tries to get ahead, she seems to take giant steps backwards. This is happening as white people from other parts of the country descend like locusts to buy the house and others in the Tremé neighborhood. This story forces us to look at gentrification in an even dimmer light.

The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You is a must-read collection of short stories, and I hope to discover more from this author.

Posted in Revisited | Tagged African-American, gentrification, horror, New Orleans, race relations, society | Leave a comment

The Wind on Her Tongue – Anita Kopacz

Posted on February 10, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

1872 -Yemaya, who now lives in Cuba, is well known for possessing healing powers inherited from her Nigerian Yoruba Orisha lineage. Her eighteen-year-old daughter, Oya, as the Orisha of storm, wind and weather, also possesses intense abilities. Though unintentional, her powers can be quite destructive. Because of this, Yemaya sends Oya to New Orleans to stay with the legendary Voodoo queen, Marie Laveau, in hopes of helping her control her powers, and use them for good.

The Wind on Her Tongue takes Oya from New Orleans through Texas to San Francisco. Along her journey, she not only struggles with honing her powers but also faces the harsh realities of racism and classism in post-Civil War America. She meets people from other cultures who are also fighting violent prejudice. The story skillfully weaves historical figures into its narrative, including the infamous outlaw Jesse James, abolitionist and entrepreneur Mary Ellen Pleasant, and industrialist Lew Hing. These encounters ground the novel in historical authenticity while adding depth to Oya’s personal journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

The author’s storytelling is both engaging and mesmerizing, with beautifully descriptive prose that brings the settings and characters to life. The blending of historical fiction, romance and spiritualism adds a unique and compelling layer to the narrative. Through Oya’s experiences, the book highlights the struggles of marginalized communities in the late 19th century, making it both a powerful and thought-provoking read.

This is the second installment in a series, following Shallow Waters, which focuses on Yemaya’s story. Though I haven’t read the first book yet, The Wind on Her Tongue stands strongly on its own, leaving me eager to explore more of this world.

Posted in Historical Fiction, Spiritual/mystical | Tagged African-American, class, Historical fiction, New Orleans, racism, San Francisco, voodoo | Leave a comment

An UnderratedRead Revisited: The Lost Treasures of R & B – Nelson George

Posted on February 5, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

“They were both Golden Gloves boxers and had that good foot work. They both did splits. Weren’t afraid to get on the floor. Not spinning like hip hoppers but they would get on their knees to sell a song…That man could get on his knees in his suit and bend backward like he was doing the limbo. Could limbo like that Harry Belafonte.”

Did Jackie Wilson do it better than James Brown? As a huge R&B fan, when I ran across the title, The Lost Treasures of R & B, I just had to read it…and I’m glad I did.

D Hunter, who ran a successful security service, found work to be slow, with no upturn in sight. Both current and retired police officers were taking private security jobs to supplement their incomes. This forced D to move back to his old neighborhood in East Brooklyn. “Brooklyn was a place of your roots but not your future, unless you planned on being a cop, crook, civil servant, or candy store owner.”

D was told the story of a recording session that produced a single by an unlikely pair: Stax recording artist, Otis Redding and Motown’s Diana Ross. His friend was going to be paid a handsome sum to find this lost record but knew that D would have better luck.

Earlier however, D did get a job to meet a popular local MC, at Brooklyn B-Girl Fight Club and make sure he got to JFK safely to board a flight to Europe. However, things didn’t go as planned and D found himself in lots of trouble with cops and gangsters alike.

The Lost Treasures of R & B, where old school R&B meets the hip hop generation, doesn’t just refer to a lost record, but also the loss of self-respect. It also explores modern day problems of the inner city–crime, poverty, corruption, and even gentrification– as it takes us through a mystery where you don’t know who you can trust. Music fans will remember from “cameo appearances”, the names of those so instrumental in the ’60s Memphis sound such as the late record producer Jerry Wexler and Stax guitarist Steve Cropper.

Yes, this novel will appeal to a niche audience, like me, a fan of R&B music. However, fans of crime novels might find The Lost Treasures of R & B, engrossing also. Most importantly, it shows some hope for the future.

Posted in Revisited | Tagged corruption, crime fiction, Hip hop, music, poverty, rhythm and blues | Leave a comment

An UnderratedRead Revisited: American Refuge: True Stories of the Refugee Experience (Truth to Power) – Diya Abdo

Posted on February 1, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

“When refugees leave, it is rarely, if ever, happy. And it is never something they choose to do.

Their bodies, finding no other way to survive, split themselves from their souls, wave goodbye to them, on the fragile hope that soon, they will meet again.”

Dr. Diya Abdo knows this firsthand as she was born and raised in Jordon as s Palestinian refugee. However, she learned so much more from talking to those she met at Every Campus A Refuge at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Dr. Abdo founded this organization upon heeding Pope Francis’ call for every parish in Europe to host a refugee family. She provides convincing reasons why college campuses are logical places to receive refugees. Most of this book, however, is comprised of stories that were conducted from formal interviews. Each story is unique, just like the individuals.

You can’t help but feel for these interviewees. One was born in a refugee camp in Thailand after her family fled Myanmar. One fled from Burundi, another from Iraq and one was a gay man fleeing Uganda. As with most refugees who eventually come to the U.S., they fled to a neighboring country first. However, Dr. Abdo reminds us that less than one percent of the world’s refugees are ever resettled.

She starts the book with the individuals in their home countries living their lives with their families and loved ones, which is relatable to all of us. They then explain what forced them to leave and what transpired in the countries they fled to. We then learn what they had to face resettling to the United States. Initially I was confused with this structure; when there was a change in person, I often didn’t remember their backstory. However, eventually I kept it straight and realized that it made more sense structuring it that way.

Dr. Abdo concludes with the refugee process in general and distinguishes the term “refugee” from others that many use interchangeably in error, though they have some elements in common. She also explains the history of refugee admission and resettlement to the U.S. from the late twentieth century to today.

American Refuge will make you think as well as feel. It is a must-read, not just for Americans but for all citizens around the world.

Posted in Revisited | Tagged immigration, refugees | Leave a comment

An UnderratedRead Revisited- Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility – by Rebecca Solnit

Posted on January 25, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

“Nothing is inevitable, and that’s crucial to remember in this fight.”

Personally, I have felt both hopeless and helpless when it comes to preserving our planet and fighting climate change. Not Too Late convinced me through its essays and interviews that what I do on an individual basis and what we can do collectively does, in fact, matter.

The writers, through their diverse backgrounds and perspectives, take a global look at the current climate crisis, both causes and possible solutions.

For example, in “Decolonizing Climate Coloniality”, Farhana Sultana shows how colonization throughout the world has managed to ruin our climate. Gloria Walton in her essay, “Shared Solutions Are Our Greatest Hope and Strength” acknowledges that indigenous peoples, immigrants and communities of color are hardest hit by climate change. But she also explains how these communities are successfully working towards a more affordable and sustainable way of life.

There is even an interesting timeline, “An Extremely Incomplete List of Climate Victories”. Many writers explain the specific frame of mind that this fight will take.

There are so many thought-provoking essays in this anthology, that I can’t mention them all here. One that particularly stuck with me was “What to Do When the World is Ending” by Yotam Marom. He provides examples of how people successfully fought despair when their world seemed to be ending. While despair is the easy way out, it “is also, quite simply, bad politics. By surrendering the fight outward, despair refocuses us inward.”

Every reader will probably relate more to some essays than to others, based on their life experiences. I suggest that you don’t read the collection all at once but savor it in bite-sized morsels.

Not to Late is an essential handbook for fighting the climate crisis. Readers will look at this fight in a whole new and inspiring light.

Posted in Revisited | Tagged climate change, colonization, ecology, Indigenous peoples | Leave a comment

Invisible Helix – Keigo Higashino (Author), Giles Murray (Translator)

Posted on January 22, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

“

If you’re searching for a crime thriller that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go, Invisible Helix is the novel for you. When homicide detectives investigate a plausible murder: a man floating in Tokyo Bay, shot in the back, they think it will be open and shut. The victim, Ryota Uetsuji was physically abusive to his live-in girlfriend, Sonoka Shimauchi who reported him missing about a week prior to the discovery. Though she has an alibi, she cannot be found when they later try to question her. Add to that, they discover that she is on the run with children’s book author, Mae Matunaga.

A lot here doesn’t make sense to Chief Inspector Kusanagi, so he pays a visit to his friend, Physics Professor Manabu Yukawa, who often consults the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its storytelling. Every detail, no matter how seemingly insignificant, serves the larger mystery. The author crafts a world where lies are rampant, truth is elusive, and nothing is as it appears. Even the layered backstory, including family history, kept me hooked until the last revelation.

I thought Invisible Helix was a superb stand-alone novel, but I discovered that it is the fifth installment in the “Detective Galileo Series”. Detective Galileo is Professor Manabu Yukawa, though he plays only a supporting character in this novel. Heads up: We learn a surprise about him, too.

Invisible Helix is such a page-turner that fans of intricate crime thrillers are sure to enjoy it. I hope to read more translated works by author Keigo Higashino.

Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, Far Eastern Literature | Tagged crime thriller, family, homicide, murder, Tokyo | Comments Off

The Silver Squad: Rebels With Wrinkles – Marty Essen

Posted on January 17, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by Don Jung)

Sometimes you want to read a feel-good book that isn’t violent and full of unrelated events that get you all confused. Well, this is one of those quirky stories with surprises along the way.

When Barry confronts his old age and realizes it would be best for him to move into a Senior Assisted Housing Facility, he finds that his old high school sweetheart, Beth, also lives there. They are both seventy years old and bored with their new daily living routine.

They bring excitement to their dull lifestyle by going around the country in Robin Hood fashion. Along the way, they befriend Jenny, a victim of an abusive husband. She soon joins them in their shenanigans and gives them another cause to take on.
How they go about all this is exciting and entertaining.

What you don’t expect is how they become folk heroes, and at one point their actions propel them to celebrity status. However, they realize that they must confront an injustice at a familiar location near where they started.

The Silver Squad: Rebels with Wrinkles is comical, bizarre, and it’s a good escape from reality. A fun read.

Posted in Light Fiction | Tagged humor, light fiction | Comments Off

Second Pocket First – Gregory Grosvenor

Posted on January 13, 2025 by J D Jung

(Reviewed by JD Jung)

Issey had always been a thief, but not a particularly good one. The thrill of lifting someone’s property was overwhelming since he was a boy stealing mail. Lockpicking was his specialty, but as an adult working in Boston for a small-time gangster named Berger, he just didn’t bring in enough valuable items. A big heist was scheduled for Faneuil Hall, but Berger told Issey that he would not be part of it, and so he was essentially fired.

His older brother needed his help in cleaning out his mother’s house, as she was moving in with her latest husband. With a bruised ego and nothing else to do, Issey returned to his small childhood town in Vermont.

Issey had to continue to steal, as his entire self-worth was entangled in this vocation. Though he had previous run-ins with the law, he prided himself in that he never used or carried a gun while committing a burglary. He also found that breaking in and pilfering from these people was just too easy, but he prided himself on that.

Soon, when he finds that three horses are stolen, and not by him, he feels his stability threatened. However, he soon discovers a new and rather novel way to enhance his earnings. Though the local police are on to him, the reader is anxious to learn how our burglar will end up. Will he be arrested, does he leave town, or does he take time for self-reflection?

What I particularly enjoyed about Second Pocket First are the eccentric characters. From family to childhood friends to new acquaintances, these small-town citizens play a vital role in the story and enhance the plot. Though the story is humorous, it isn’t over the top. Though I didn’t particularly like our sociopathic protagonist, I enjoyed reading about this non-violent anti-hero.

With all the serious news and tragedies taking place, Second Pocket First provides a light, fun diversion.

Posted in Crime, Mystery and Thrillers, graphic novels/illustrated humor, Humor & Satire, Light Fiction | Tagged Boston, Crime, gangsters, humor, Vermont | Comments Off

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