No Crystal Stair

Crystal Stair by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, artwork by R. Gregory

Christie (Walker Books) HC RRP $29.99 ISBN 9780761361695

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Classed as a documentary novel, No Crystal Stair covers the life and work of Lewis Michaux, an intelligent, but headstrong and wilful young man who starts his life with chaos and dreams of claiming an identity of his own. He finds his life’s path through his creation of the National Memorial African Bookstore in Harlem that sells books for black people by black writers. His intention is to educate African Americans about their origins and history, and instil in them a sense of pride and belief in who they are and what they can achieve. He starts with 5 books and ends with over 200,000, many of which are books for children.

The book took years to research and write. It is presented in the first person narrative, drawing on various voices including Lewis’, and many famous people. This perfect approach allows the reader to see more than just a single view of each issue that is addressed.

Lewis’ story begins in 1906. It is set up in 7 sections and covers historical events, and personal milestones in Lewis’ life, up to 1974 when he was forced to relocate the bookshop.

This is a brilliant historical document and reference book that inspires. It reports on the influence Lewis Michaux’s passion for learning and encouraging others to do so, had on many famous black people, including Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X. 

Riveting, detailed information on the historical changes that took place within that time frame, are well researched and presented. Every page is full of honesty and truth. I enjoyed this book greatly and will definitely revisit it time and again. It is ideal for the 12-102 year age group.

No Crystal Stair

Crystal Stair by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, artwork by R. Gregory

Christie (Walker Books) HC RRP $29.99 ISBN 9780761361695

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Classed as a documentary novel, No Crystal Stair covers the life and work of Lewis Michaux, an intelligent, but headstrong and wilful young man who starts his life with chaos and dreams of claiming an identity of his own. He finds his life’s path through his creation of the National Memorial African Bookstore in Harlem that sells books for black people by black writers. His intention is to educate African Americans about their origins and history, and instil in them a sense of pride and belief in who they are and what they can achieve. He starts with 5 books and ends with over 200,000, many of which are books for children.

The book took years to research and write. It is presented in the first person narrative, drawing on various voices including Lewis’, and many famous people. This perfect approach allows the reader to see more than just a single view of each issue that is addressed.

Lewis’ story begins in 1906. It is set up in 7 sections and covers historical events, and personal milestones in Lewis’ life, up to 1974 when he was forced to relocate the bookshop.

This is a brilliant historical document and reference book that inspires. It reports on the influence Lewis Michaux’s passion for learning and encouraging others to do so, had on many famous black people, including Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X. 

Riveting, detailed information on the historical changes that took place within that time frame, are well researched and presented. Every page is full of honesty and truth. I enjoyed this book greatly and will definitely revisit it time and again. It is ideal for the 12-102 year age group.

No Crystal Stair

No Crystal Stair by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, artwork by R. Gregory Christie (Walker Books)

HC RRP $29.99

ISBN 9780761361695

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Classed as a documentary novel, No Crystal Stair covers the life and work of Lewis Michaux, an intelligent, but headstrong and wilful young man who starts his life with chaos and dreams of claiming an identity of his own. He finds his life’s path through his creation of the National Memorial African Bookstore in Harlem that sells books for black people by black writers. His intention is to educate African Americans about their origins and history, and instill in them a sense of pride and belief in who they are and what they can achieve. He starts with five books and ends with over 200,000, many of which are books for children.

The book took years to research and write. It is presented in the first person narrative, drawing on various voices including Lewis’, and many famous people. This perfect approach allows the reader to see more than just a single view of each issue that is addressed.

Lewis’ story begins in 1906. It is set up in 7 sections and covers historical events, and personal milestones in Lewis’ life, up to 1974 when he was forced to relocate the bookshop.

This is a brilliant historical document and reference book that inspires. It reports on the influence Lewis Michaux’s passion for learning and encouraging others to do so, had on many famous black people, including Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X. 

Riveting, detailed information on the historical changes that took place within that time frame, are well researched and presented. Every page is full of honesty and truth. I enjoyed this book greatly and will definitely revisit it time and again. It is ideal for the 12-102 year age group.

The Emperor of Any Place

The Emperor of Any Place by Tim Wynne-Jones (Walker Books)

HC RRP $24.99

ISBN 9780763669737

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Fascinating from the beginning, this dual point-of-view story is extremely powerful, confronting at times, imaginative, and deeply moving. It has many themes woven into it, the main ones being the futility of war and the chaos it leaves behind, family relationships, love, truth and trust. Presented in precise prose, it’s a book not to be missed.

When Evan’s father dies, the boy discovers an unusual book on his dad’s desk and begins to read. Two parallel stories begin, presented in alternating chapters.

Evan’s narrative is in third person. At seventeen, he is now alone in the world except for his grandfather Griff whom he’s never seen because of a falling out with Evan’s dad. Life-long critical stories heard about Griff from his dad built a bitterness and resentment against the old man in Evan. These negative feelings flare when Griff turns up suddenly. A career soldier, his regimented army life leaves no room for admitting or making mistakes, especially his own. Evan is unaware of the significant role his estranged grandfather will play in his life.

The second story is the one Evan is reading from the book. Written by the Japanese soldier, Isamu Oshiro, it’s told in the immediate first person, and begins in July, 1944. It starts as a journal meant to reach his new wife in the case of his death, but evolves into a continuous confession of love blended with his daily existence on the island.

A third voice, that of American soldier Derwood Kraft, shares Oshiro’s narrative later in the book.

 

Oshiro makes it to the island he later calls Kokoro-Jima, the Heart-Shaped Island. He is badly wounded and expects to die. But he survives amidst the company of flesh-eating ghouls, kept alive by the sheer will to live and return to his beloved. The island becomes his paradise until Kraft arrives. The two begin as wary enemies struggling to survive, but in fact they have much in common. Here we witness a parallel war to the one raging on the opposite island. This takes place between Kraft and Oshiro’s conscience and soldier’s ethics.

Here is a complex and multi-layered story with many parallels. It is a magnum opus, for the great skill needed to blend the portions of this magnificent creation into a fluid read is evident in the stunning outcome. This is a crossover novel suitable for young adult/adult readers.