Review of Bonds of Love and Blood

[Terry Kimble]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Bonds of Love and Blood" by Marylee MacDonald.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Bonds of Love and Blood by Marylee MacDonald may have permanently roused me from any future eschewing of short stories! As an armchair traveler and covert fly-on-the-wall, these twelve relationship-centered stories whisk the reader away to Thailand, Turkey, Canada, and other regions of the globe, along with compelling protagonists who are each at a crossroads or questioning their life’s enduring journey. MacDonald’s prose is evocative and detailed, making it a delight to read and naturally absorb. Each of these intimate stories left mental residual ruminating after they ended, pondering what might have happened next in the characters’ lives. Perhaps that was the impetus of this collection of short stories—to leave the reader wondering!

I was drawn in by the first story: A widower approaching the end of his life travels from his homeland of Japan to San Francisco, CA, for his (spoiled) daughter’s wedding. He meets the groom's family, experiences culture shock (thanks to the flamboyant antics of the groom's mother), and struggles to understand the behaviors and choices of young people in today’s world. The insights into his thoughts in this story filled me with melancholy; “In this world of ours, we eat only to cast out, sleep only to wake, and what comes after is simply to die at last.”

Another story that captured my heart was of a grandmother who indulges her beloved granddaughter in traveling adventures. In this story, they go sightseeing on Turkey’s Anatolian coast. They must do a lot of hiking and wade through an icy cold, rocky river. The grandmother has more difficulties, suffering more aches and pains than she had on past trips. Her young adult granddaughter considers none of this, leaving her grandmother physically (and emotionally) abandoned. The reader can empathize with the seventy-three-year-old woman's obstacles: “When I stepped in the water, a volt of ice raced up my right leg and exploded in a fireball against my heart. Cubes of ice caught in my throat.” Reading those vivid details induced a sudden chill in the air around me! But the entirety of the story warmed my heart. The reader is reminded that although aging is ultimately about loss, it is also about embracing the profound wisdom gained from the losses.

The author's descriptive and figurative literary voice treats the reader to envisage directly through the character’s mind and eyes: “…the V-shaped cleft of a mountain split down the middle by the earth’s upheaval. Already in shadow, the right face of the gorge rose straight up, like a loaf of pumpernickel lopped in half by a knife.”

Each of these twelve unique stories explores intricacies and unforeseen perils that steadfastly grate on human relationships and each individual’s psyche.
The author’s immersive writing style and exceptional editing allowed the narration to flow smoothly. I loved being compelled to look up world-famous landmarks and maps of faraway destinations and learn a few new foreign terms! Teşekkür ederim, MacDonald!

This book had nothing to dislike except that I wish the author could write sequels to all these short stories! I happily give Bonds of Love and Blood five out of five glowing stars on these grounds. I recommend it to adult readers, as it contains non-borderline expletives and some mild sexual references.

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Bonds of Love and Blood
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[Gerry Steen]

This book sounds wonderful! I love short stories. The focus on the relationships of people travelling together in different parts of the world is intriguing. I look forward to learning more about different countries, cultures, and the human condition. I have added this book to my bookshelves. Thank you for reviewing this book.

[Claudia Angelucci]

This seems like a very interesting book. I like short stories. Fantastic review—you gave us a nice taste of the book. From the example pieces you put, it looks like this is a very talented writer! So are you. It was a pleasure to read this! All the best!

[Mari Thompson]

I love short stories and stories that have compelling protagonists who are each at a crossroads or questioning their life’s enduring journey. This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the excellent review and recommendation.

[Jennifer Coxon]

Thank you for your insightful review. Like you, I often eschew short stories, but you have well and truly sold me on this book. I appreciate the author's vivid style of writing in the quotes you have provided. It sounds like the author really captures the feelings of these characters. However, I, like you, would be wanting the sequels to find out what happens next.

Maybe we aren't over our dislike of short stories after all!

[Nwansimdi Mercy Someze]

This collection is not only engaging but also thought-provoking, prompting readers to ponder the complexities of human connections and the unpredictable nature of life.

[Cristiano Bellucci]

Thank you, Terry for your positive review. The book is fascinating, dealing with stories from all over the world. I will add to my bookshelf.

[Stephen Christopher 1]

Hi Terry, I love stories, and I'm an avid traveler, so this collection is going to resonate with me for sure. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, I'm adding it to my list right now.

[Lunar gate]

This review made me curious about reading the book because it seems like a fun and engaging choice.The focus on the relationships of people travelling together in different parts of the world is beautiful