Customer Reviews

Let the Lion Eat Straw

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At a local bookstore gathering that brings readers and writers together, an editor from Amistad referred to this as "the perfect book." Sure, the perfect book. What is the perfect book? Then she passed out copies and while home sick one day, I read it. Now, after finishing it 3 hours later, I weep. Ellease Southerland has indeed, crafted the perfect book. But, the reader must believe in the essential goodness, resilience and beauty we hide somewhere deep inside. Abeba Williams, from childhood to adulthood, pulls us into her life, filled with simple complications and routine events that become so much more when viewed through her absorbing eyes. We are astounded at her courage, her resilience, her patience, her love. We applaud her survival as she struggles to build a life with her real mother who has come to collect her from Mamma Habblesham, the midwife who raised her to age 5. Abeba's mother, Angela, has found a husband in New York and can can finally care for her daughter. Brooklyn collides with Abeba's simple country upbringing, but Mamma Habblesham grounded her by giving her roots that branch into the strength and wonder that help her cope, adjust, even define life on her terms. She becomes an accomplished musician, a strong child growing up an even stronger woman, in the midst of chaos and tenderness. She meets Daniel, who sings at her church and her anticipated study at Julliard falls by the wayside as she and Daniel set off on a life filled with trauma, laced with joy, joy laced with trauma. None of it is trite, false or overdone. Simple images sparkle in their honesty. After Abeba's screaming labor during the birth of her first child, Southerland crystalizes Abeba's emotion as " He was the sun that soaked up the pain." The perfect sentence,one of many, in the perfect book.

One of those books you wish you read much earlier in your life. Very fast, beautifully written in a lyrical manner. A few pages but tells a story of a woman whose life seems to have taken a wrong turn (depending on the reader's perception of life). I know some authors would have written the same story in a billion words.

This book got good reviews in a newsletter I subscribe to, so I decided to order it. I finished it quickly. It's an enjoyable read, the storyline kept me hooked. A bittersweet ending but that didn't spoil the story.

A good story but the broken sentences made the book annoying and distracting. It would have been much more enjoyable if written in regular prose.

The title of this book drew me in and I was not disappointed. I must say this was a quick fluid read for me. The writing style was somewhat poetic which made the story leave such an impact.

The story begins with a young Abeba living with her Mamma Habblesham, the midwife who delivered her, in the country eating boiled peanuts and playing with Jack. Jack was their mentally challenged neighbor who was much older than Abeba but always played with her and promised to marry her. Then Abeba's "New York" and biological mama, Angela, comes to take her back to New York. Upon arrival, Abeba discovers she has a "New York" daddy as well. Mr. Lavoisier gave Abeba his last name as well as his unconditional love, unlike her mother. During this time, Abeba is introduced to the piano and takes to it like a pro. She enjoys her lessons and showing off what she learned for her father. When Mr. Lavoisier dies of a sudden illness so does the money and the love Abeba has gotten used to.

The next phase of the story we see an extremely passive, sheltered, yet very talented Abeba residing with an overbearing mother. When Abeba graduated High School she had dreams of attending Julliard but was sidetracked by a charismatic singing preacher. Angela advised against this union but Abeba married Daniel anyway. Angela was soon pregnant and on the way to Florida where Daniel was from. In Florida, Abeba discovered a secret about Daniel that would haunt them the rest of their lives. It was at this point that we lost Abeba in the story. Abeba and Daniel had fifteen children whom she showered with that love that she so lacked from her own mother.

I enjoyed this book but somewhere between marriage and child bearing we lost Abeba. She never reclaimed her identity. It was "mentioned" toward the end but it was nothing to hold on to. The ending of this story left my heart heavy. By the end of the story, we come to find that true love will bear the madness that life can bring.

excellent story, good characters, birht mother a jealous , negative personally..great step father..huband of daughter memtality deficientcouln'd put book down,,hunted for this book over a year worht anither read in a year or two..may gain new insights

This is a gorgeous book. Southerland's writing is so poetic and engaging. She paints wonderful portraits of the lives of Abeba and her other characters. A sparse book in pages, yet rich in detail and poignancy.

in the end i liked, though sometimes its seemed too tragic, but it ended beautifully