Review by Reagan Reg -- Mixed Blessings by J.M. Muse
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Reagan Reg
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Review by Reagan Reg -- Mixed Blessings by J.M. Muse
[Following is a volunteer review of "Mixed Blessings" by J.M. Muse.]
The book Mixed Blessings by J.M. Muse is a book that highlights the plight of blacks in the United States. The fate of blacks including their survival is determined by the colour of their skin. The lives of black children and the children of mixed race origin is at risk. The life of mixed race children are at risk since they too are classified as blacks according to the America classification of such children according to their weaker race. There is racial discrimination in all spheres of life including politics, education and at work places. The government too is dominated by whites who use power to their advantage and benefit. White areas are favored during the resource allocation. People like Pastor Kublai Khan want to change this trend and create an all equal America where everyone is treated equally regardless of the colour of their skin. To this end, he urges blacks and persons of mixed race to be proud of whom they are, redefine themselves and fight for their rightful places in the society. When black folks and the mixed race come together, they can advocate for their rightful place in the society. They can fight for their rights and privileges. However, the underlying question is, will he succeed with his ideas of social revolution? Only time will tell.
One feature I enjoyed in the novel is the use of suspense around major events in the novel. There is suspense in the novel when Kimberly sets on a journey to Mexico to reconnect with his father’s other family. The suspense is further ignited by the fact that his step mother aunt Magdalena does not like her for her colour. She is a child of a mixed race. I was interested in learning whether her aunt Magdalena and her two children would finally get along with Kimberly or not. Additionally, there is suspense following Kimberly’s racial abuse in the hand of his would be boyfriend Tim. Tim and his friends abuse her because of her colour at the former’s party and thinks she only wanted a relationship with him for economical reasons and to escape her black origins. She is left distraught. Would she ever all in love again following such an horrible experience. The desire to learn about Kimberly’s fate as to whether she would find love again kept me glued to the book for longer periods. Other styles employed in the novel include biblical allusions, contrast and flashbacks.
Additionally, I enjoyed the theme of family life as is portrayed in the book. Kimberly’s mother allows her to travel to Mexico to stay with her father’s family because it is safer in Mexico than in the States. She and her mother have a warm relationship and she finds it difficult to allow her to leave. Racism in the United states had reached toxic levels and the life of mixed race children including Kimberly’s life is at risk. Her mother allows her to leave for her own safety. Similarly, Hector introduces Kim to his relations in Juarez. He wants Kimberly to be at home with his relations. His father relations helps her enjoy her time in Mexico. That was lovely of them and revealed their supportive nature towards themselves. The discussions on family life emphasizes on the role of family in our lives, encourages readers to put family first and to always be there for their families. Family life is a gift and should never be taken for granted.
I loved the fact that this book reflects the society we live in. Many of the themes therein are centred on societal issues including racism and its consequences, drug abuse and its effects, religious differences, challenges facing urban centers and public corruption. The foregoing are issues that different societies grapple with today. The author by discussing these matters thus raises awareness as to the existence and consequences of the aforementioned matters in the society. Further he provides various recommendations on ending these societal problems. That was lovely.
I rate this book at 4 out of 4 stars. I give it all the stars because it has an amazing content on the contemporary matters of the United States especially the plight of Blacks and people of the Mixed Race origin. It is alive to the societal wrongs and seeks to redress those wrongs. That was lovely. I highly recommend it to all persons interested in genres that discuss contemporary matters in the society. However, persons with no interest in contemporary issues in the society may look for other genres. This book is well edited except for two grammatical errors that I located therein. I enjoyed reading it.
******
Mixed Blessings
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The book Mixed Blessings by J.M. Muse is a book that highlights the plight of blacks in the United States. The fate of blacks including their survival is determined by the colour of their skin. The lives of black children and the children of mixed race origin is at risk. The life of mixed race children are at risk since they too are classified as blacks according to the America classification of such children according to their weaker race. There is racial discrimination in all spheres of life including politics, education and at work places. The government too is dominated by whites who use power to their advantage and benefit. White areas are favored during the resource allocation. People like Pastor Kublai Khan want to change this trend and create an all equal America where everyone is treated equally regardless of the colour of their skin. To this end, he urges blacks and persons of mixed race to be proud of whom they are, redefine themselves and fight for their rightful places in the society. When black folks and the mixed race come together, they can advocate for their rightful place in the society. They can fight for their rights and privileges. However, the underlying question is, will he succeed with his ideas of social revolution? Only time will tell.
One feature I enjoyed in the novel is the use of suspense around major events in the novel. There is suspense in the novel when Kimberly sets on a journey to Mexico to reconnect with his father’s other family. The suspense is further ignited by the fact that his step mother aunt Magdalena does not like her for her colour. She is a child of a mixed race. I was interested in learning whether her aunt Magdalena and her two children would finally get along with Kimberly or not. Additionally, there is suspense following Kimberly’s racial abuse in the hand of his would be boyfriend Tim. Tim and his friends abuse her because of her colour at the former’s party and thinks she only wanted a relationship with him for economical reasons and to escape her black origins. She is left distraught. Would she ever all in love again following such an horrible experience. The desire to learn about Kimberly’s fate as to whether she would find love again kept me glued to the book for longer periods. Other styles employed in the novel include biblical allusions, contrast and flashbacks.
Additionally, I enjoyed the theme of family life as is portrayed in the book. Kimberly’s mother allows her to travel to Mexico to stay with her father’s family because it is safer in Mexico than in the States. She and her mother have a warm relationship and she finds it difficult to allow her to leave. Racism in the United states had reached toxic levels and the life of mixed race children including Kimberly’s life is at risk. Her mother allows her to leave for her own safety. Similarly, Hector introduces Kim to his relations in Juarez. He wants Kimberly to be at home with his relations. His father relations helps her enjoy her time in Mexico. That was lovely of them and revealed their supportive nature towards themselves. The discussions on family life emphasizes on the role of family in our lives, encourages readers to put family first and to always be there for their families. Family life is a gift and should never be taken for granted.
I loved the fact that this book reflects the society we live in. Many of the themes therein are centred on societal issues including racism and its consequences, drug abuse and its effects, religious differences, challenges facing urban centers and public corruption. The foregoing are issues that different societies grapple with today. The author by discussing these matters thus raises awareness as to the existence and consequences of the aforementioned matters in the society. Further he provides various recommendations on ending these societal problems. That was lovely.
I rate this book at 4 out of 4 stars. I give it all the stars because it has an amazing content on the contemporary matters of the United States especially the plight of Blacks and people of the Mixed Race origin. It is alive to the societal wrongs and seeks to redress those wrongs. That was lovely. I highly recommend it to all persons interested in genres that discuss contemporary matters in the society. However, persons with no interest in contemporary issues in the society may look for other genres. This book is well edited except for two grammatical errors that I located therein. I enjoyed reading it.
******
Mixed Blessings
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Empowered by Dominica Lumazar
