By J. California Cooper
Now for J. California Cooper’s The Wake of the Wind. This book had mixed reviews. Most felt that Cooper had told a good story. Perhaps not as good as her short stories, but reflective of the storyteller she is. The first disagreement was between the men and women. As I recall, the men thought that what happened between Lifee and her enslaver was not rape. Rather, they viewed the act as a required submission better than death, and protective of self and family. The women disagreed.
A couple of us questioned Lifee’s actions with Mor. That is having sex with him so soon after being raped. Others stated that her actions were believable because she had and was falling in love with him.
Some of the compelling characters were Lifee and Mor. Both were thought of as strong in their own way. Lifee, intelligent, action-oriented, educated and an entrepreneur love her some Mor. Mor, strong, hard worker, devoted husband and father returned her love.
Many folks came into their lives. Which seem to demonstrate the overall theme of the book. We determine that theme was the interconnectedness of Black (African-American) people throughout time and space. Flowing through our veins is the blood of our African and non-African ancestors. There were many instances in this novel which shouted this fact.
I particularly liked Cooper’s choice of names. Able and Aman, Bettern, Lifee, Pretti, Abby who was also called Mabby and Mor, short for Mordicai. All were unique.
Finally, we decided that The Wake of the Wind should be read by many people, particularly African-American teens. Although some said they would not recommend this book to friends, mainly because it was not a page-turner.
POSTSCRIPT
As the writer of this review, I was one of those who were less than enamored with this book. I confess. I did not finish reading it before the book discussion. My advice ... read this one all the way to the very end. At the conclusion of J. California Cooper's novel, you realize that she has written a love story as piognant as Rhett and Scarlette, Billy Dee and Diana in Lady Sings the Blues or Stella and Winston. True Love.