Hello fellow book lovers :)
Today I'm so pleased to introduce my dear friend, Rebecca, who is our very first guest book reviewer. Take it away, Rebecca!
The Berlin Wall divided a city and a nation for nearly thirty years.
When it is torn down on November 9, 1989, it's possibly the single most
significant event of the 20th century. Still a potent freedom metaphor,
it echoes through halls of power and in the hearts of individuals from
every country and social status. And that same night on opposite sides
of the globe, two babies are born, one a boy, the other a girl....Josh
grows up an artistic and gifted California Golden Boy, but for all that
life has handed to him, he struggles with his identity and his role in
the world. Kati's German heritage presents its own obstacles to
undersanding herself and what freedom means. She is crushed by
disappointment at never being "enough"--especially for a mother who
cannot be satisfied. These two seem destined to meet, to explore their
freedom birthright together. Are chance encounters truly chance?
Spanning a few generations, the Blackberry Bush is a story of love, forgiveness and ultimately redemption.
The book opens up with the destruction of the Berlin wall, and shortly thereafter, we meet the main characters, Josh & Kati, just as they are born. Both enter the world during a time of great social reformation, a societal backdrop that reinforces the equally cataclysmic changes occurring within Josh and Kati themselves as we follow them through their teenage years and ultimately into adulthood.
The book highlights the importance of knowing one’s heritage and roots in order to come to a fuller understanding of ourselves and our futures. As such, it is written in diary entry format. Past and present are seamlessly integrated to slowly reveal the hidden secrets of Josh and Kati’s ancestors, thus forever changing both their lives.
The entries for Josh and Kati are written in first person format allowing us an intimate view of their inner lives. As such, we see firsthand their struggles to fit into society, to meet the extravagant expectations placed on them by others, and to find their place in the world. As Josh and Kati share more of their story with the reader, we become acutely aware of their strained relationships with their parents; however, we rejoice at the strength and wisdom that they receive from their relationships with their respective grandparents. Indeed, it is from their grandparents that Josh and Kati learn many life lessons including the ability to break out of societal moulds and expectations.
Although the story and themes within this book will appeal to all ages alike, its main focus is on the myriad of struggles that all teenagers inevitably go through. As such, this book is particularly relevant for high schools, youth groups and young adult readers alike.
The book opens up with the destruction of the Berlin wall, and shortly thereafter, we meet the main characters, Josh & Kati, just as they are born. Both enter the world during a time of great social reformation, a societal backdrop that reinforces the equally cataclysmic changes occurring within Josh and Kati themselves as we follow them through their teenage years and ultimately into adulthood.
The book highlights the importance of knowing one’s heritage and roots in order to come to a fuller understanding of ourselves and our futures. As such, it is written in diary entry format. Past and present are seamlessly integrated to slowly reveal the hidden secrets of Josh and Kati’s ancestors, thus forever changing both their lives.
The entries for Josh and Kati are written in first person format allowing us an intimate view of their inner lives. As such, we see firsthand their struggles to fit into society, to meet the extravagant expectations placed on them by others, and to find their place in the world. As Josh and Kati share more of their story with the reader, we become acutely aware of their strained relationships with their parents; however, we rejoice at the strength and wisdom that they receive from their relationships with their respective grandparents. Indeed, it is from their grandparents that Josh and Kati learn many life lessons including the ability to break out of societal moulds and expectations.
Although the story and themes within this book will appeal to all ages alike, its main focus is on the myriad of struggles that all teenagers inevitably go through. As such, this book is particularly relevant for high schools, youth groups and young adult readers alike.
Rebecca Ridani is a psychology graduate, avid reader and traveller extraordinaire.
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