"Everything is how God wants it to be, my child.... But, how does he want it to be, Grandma?"
 |
Hypocrisy of Prejudice: Power of Hope by Wan Lenox Trafford Publishing
book review by Cynthia Collins
This novel's main storyline centers around Esther who, at the age of seven, loses her parents when they are killed in a car accident. She goes to live with her grandmother. The two of them are practically strangers but they develop a close bond. The grandmother is deeply religious and teaches Esther that God does everything for the best even if it doesn't seem that way at first. Esther questions why God took her parents from her, both of them, at the same time. The grandmother has cancer but doesn't want Esther to know until absolutely necessary. The child has been through a lot and needs a sense of stability. Before the grandmother dies, she makes arrangements with a married couple to find Esther a decent place to live. Esther is sent to an orphanage and adopted.
Esther is black and is adopted by a poor black family who live in a wealthy white community. All the other children in her new school are white and many of them give her a hard time. The townspeople want the family to leave and riots ensue against them. But through it all, Esther tries to do the right thing. With more trouble brewing, something happens that changes the playing field. The suspense builds, and all the loose ends are resolved. Mr. Lenox' handling of the story is well done and believable.
The author has written an intriguing book. Some of the scenes dealing with racism might stir up similar scenes in other novels, such as The Help. There is quite a range of stories within the story on a variety of subjects: rich and poor, black and white, adoption, religion, place in society, education, etc. This is a fine examination of a personal journey and the times.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review