Told through alternating viewpoints of Sarah and Theodora Allen, Cornelius’ wife, Marlen Suyapa Bodden’s The Wedding Gift is an intimate portrait that will leave readers breathless.
My Thoughts:
The Wedding Gift is a lovely story with an important message. The historical details were authentic and interesting. I also enjoyed most of the characters. I’m always happy to run into strong women in literature.
The story kept me engaged and turning the pages. Unfortunately the writing felt rushed at times and some of the dialogue came off as awkward. I’m sure that one more spin through an editor’s hands could have fixed those issues. I do recommend the The Wedding Gift as the story itself overcomes those issues.
I have high hopes for this author. She obviously has something to say and the desire to say it. For a first effort The Wedding Gift hit most of the right notes. I’ll be watching out for what she comes up with next.
Dr. Marlen Suyapa Bodden is a lawyer at The Legal Aid Society in New York City, the nation’s oldest and largest legal services organization. She has more than two decades’ experience representing poor people and low-wage and immigrant workers, many of whom are severely underpaid, if paid at all.
She drew on her knowledge of modern and historical slavery, human trafficking, and human rights abuses to write The Wedding Gift, her first novel.
On May 20, 2012, the University of Rhode Island conferred on Marlen an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Marlen is a graduate of New York University School of Law and Tufts University.
The Relentless Reader 
I had this book in e galley but just couldn't find time for it. I enjoy story books set in the slave era because I continue to be educated and surprised at what I learn. Good review, thanks.
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This does sound like an interesting plot and I like the dichotomy of the two points of view. But as an editor, I think it might drive me a little crazy!
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Ooh, intriguing!
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Yes, quite intriguing! Will keep an eye out for this one…
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I wholeheartedly agree with you on this one! My review comes out tomorrow. Funny how so many of us have this one. I bet the very same publicist contacted us! Great review.
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Hooray for strong women characters! Enjoyed reading your thoughts on this. I've been hearing a lot about it.
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I've just read Rebecca's review and I thought this is a book I would like.
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This sounds good! Adding it to my list. The mention of awkward dialogue does give me pause (that is one of my major book pet peeves) but I'll try it out anyway. Thanks!
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I do find the synopsis interesting, and I might consider reading the novel.
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Sounds really good- have been seeing lots of positive reviews!
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Maybe you'll get around to it eventually Anita? So many books… 😉
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Yes, you would probably lose your mind Lindsey 😉
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This one might be right up your alley 😉
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Great 😀 If you read it I'd be very curious to hear your thoughts about it
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I bet you're right! I've seen it all over the place in just the last few days 😉
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It's getting a lot of buzz lately, no doubt.
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You might just love this one Isi!
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The story is great, no lie. The dialogue was close to a deal-breaker for me though. Boo!
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I have high hopes for this author. I think with a bit more experience she'll be able to shine 😀
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You might really like this one 😀
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What an interesting premise! There are a lot of books about slavery but I tend to stay away from a lot of them but this one sounds worth the read (especially with the rushed language warning).
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Great synopsis. The delivery isn't perfect but it's still worth the read.
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The story definitely sounds appealing. It's too bad it needed more editing.
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Yes, exactly. I'm have hopes for this author though 😀
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I passed on this for review, but only because my to-read list is so long. I did really want to read it, and it sounds like I should, anyway!
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You might have to dig up a copy 😉
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Did you find that about 3/4 of the way through, it lagged? I felt that way, but then was shocked by the ending. I didn't see it coming.
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Woo for accurate historical details! The few times that I've paired historical fiction with non-fiction, I've really enjoyed it, so I'd like to do that more. I think it's great that you read so many debut authors and see the potential in each of them. Hopefully this author's next book will be even better 🙂
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Yes I did. It was clipping along nicely until that point.
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Accuracy in historical fiction is so important! At least to me, lol.
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I reviewed this for Library Journal, and I enjoyed it too, as a book with a strong story that carries you along, and a strong female main character. That's how I prefer my historical fiction to be whenever I read it, which isn't all that often!
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Hooray for strong female characters! 😀
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There's something very readable about books that have families where slaves are kin to the owners. Both upsetting, when they are treated like they are not kin (besides the obvious slavery in general) and interesting for the interactions they do have. Mind-blowing in so many ways. And this sounds a lot better than those I've read.
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