Review of House of Hoops

Timothy Rucinski · Post by **Timothy Rucinski** » 18 Jun 2022, 08:15

[Following is a volunteer review of "House of Hoops" by June Gillam.]

4 out of 4 stars

Share This Review

Considering that I don’t enjoy the game of basketball, it seemed unlikely that I would read a book called House of Hoops: A Hillary Broome Novel. Nevertheless, since this is June Gillam's most recently published novel featuring Hillary Broome, it was a no-brainer for me to pick it up. I enjoyed the previous three books immensely.

One-time intrepid reporter Hillary Broome has relocated from Lodi to Sacramento, California. Shedding her reporter's notebook for a public relations position with Singh Development, Hillary's principal assignment is to serve as a campaigner for the redevelopment of the aging city. Detective Ed Kiffen, Hillary’s devoted husband, works as a newly appointed security specialist for Southbridge Private Security. In addition, daughter Claire has developed an intense, personal affinity for the game of basketball and is a star player on her school team. Although things seem rosy for the Kiffens with their new lives in Sacramento, all is not well since not everyone is pleased with the concrete and steel structures systematically replacing the old homes of the aging neighborhoods.

As with each previous Hillary Broome novel, author Gillam presents an array of wonderful characters and themes. Hillary is no less tenacious in her new role in public relations. However, she is still deeply scarred from being abandoned by her mother at an early age. Hillary suddenly is faced with the decision of finding and confronting her mother, particularly as her daughter expresses a longing for a grandmotherly figure. Claire has grown into a lovely young woman who finds basketball a vehicle for a potential future career. The sport also serves as therapy to address the angst of her teenage years. Claire’s longing to know her grandmother is triggered by her best friend Keisha and the loving relationship she has with her own grandmother, Stacy. The hardship that arises with the main characters from absent human connections supports the underlying theme of loss that permeates the book.

Gillam balances the need for neighborhood gentrification with the historical, cultural, and emotional desires to keep some older communities intact. Charlie Bierce, an older gentleman dying from brain cancer, is a local curmudgeon who sees no progress coming from change. He is disgusted with the political graft he perceives as the root of urban development. The author brilliantly creates a metaphor of Charlie’s tumor, which he experiences as fingers in the brain, to the perceived infestation of revitalization weaving like fingers through the city. Charlie deputizes himself as an advocate to stop development altogether. Others, more nefarious in their intent, sidle up to the older man to tout their radical agenda. Both sides of the argument are presented thoughtfully and vividly through the actions of the participants, and the reader is left with a sense that both sides can be right at the same time. In addition, as with Charlie and his neighborhood, the loss of one's physical roots is juxtaposed brilliantly with familial loss, as with Hillary and Claire.

Like Ms. Gillams’s other books, the occupational disparity between men and women is featured in House of Hoops. In the novel, the author highlights the inequalities separating male and female professional basketball. As a result, women and young girls in the story are downcast with the notion that women's ball is subpar to the men's game, and they yearn for the type of female role models that would accompany the return of professional women's basketball to the city.

House of Hoops is a timely book as it is punctuated with the horrors of school shootings. The author provides no solutions for stemming the tide of gun violence. That isn't the intent of the novel. Nevertheless, Gillam addresses the terror of death and injury. She also focuses on the psychological damage inflicted by such tragedy on school-aged children that witness the mayhem.

House of Hoops, like the previous books, is wonderfully written. Ms. Gillam is a gifted author. Her characters are rich and exceptionally well developed, and these rich characterizations are what I liked most about this novel. She also provides an excellent introduction to the Sacramento area while championing the positive aspects of team sports for young people.

The book is professionally edited with only a handful of errors, none of which are the least bit distracting. Those interested in light mysteries, family dramas, and books that involve a strong female main character would enjoy this kind of book. Those attracted to basketball, particularly women’s basketball, may also find it enjoyable.

I award House of Hoops 4 out of 4 stars. There is absolutely nothing negative that I can cite about this book. It is a terrific addition to the Hillary Broome novels, and I sincerely hope that this is not the last we see of Hillary.

******
House of Hoops
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Mildred Echesa · Post by **Mildred Echesa** » 09 Jul 2022, 08:41

I really love basketball so I gladly look forward to reading this. I enjoyed your review.

Chimereucheya Okoroafo · Post by **Chimereucheya Okoroafo** » 22 Jul 2022, 12:40

A firm and interesting review you've written. Like you, I am not a big fan of basketball, but from your review I can see that this book is not entirely about basketball. I may indulge myself in the adventures of Hillary Broome.

Margi zuu202 · Post by **Margi zuu202** » 18 Aug 2022, 08:16

House of hope by Hillary broom got nothing to do with basketball the cover is so desiving I like basketball!!!n'yw it's a piece of fiction that speaks to each of us the brilliant and glorious tales about dynamic of society change and the impact it has on the two sides