Mockingbird

ISBN: 0-441-00547-0 Order from: Amazon.com

Well-written but unexciting novel of magic-tinted progress of a family through jealousy, love, regret and hope.

Reviewed by David on August 26, 1998

Genre: Fantasy (Magic Realism)

Synopsis: After the death of their magically gifted mother, two sisters try to cope with their legacy of memories, pain, beauty and magic.

Full Review: This book centers on a Houston family after the death of Elena, the mother. Her widower and the two grown daughters have all been shaped by the tempestuous and magical Elena. Her wild stories, her outrages lies, amazing precognition and secret sadness have affected everyone around her—her family, friends, business associates and neighbors. But her most impressive magic—the "little gods" who possessed Elena and allowed her to do minor miracles—are all safely locked in their cabinet.

Toni, the narrator, getting older and resentful of her Mother's fanciful legacy, wants to start a family by catching a husband and having a baby, although not in that order. However, as her mother's epitaph says "some gifts cannot be refused", and Toni unwillingly inherits Elena's little gods. Having structured her life on the basis of rationality, applied mathematics (Toni is an actuary) and fiscal responsibility, the last thing Toni wants is magic. But she gets all that and more—the threat of poverty, the loneliness of jealousy and family secrets, the guilt and love of human relationship, and, at the end, acceptance and hope.

The magic plays a relatively minor role in the novel. The magical mechanism of Riders, a sort of white-trash loa, is interesting but unexplored. Rather, the fantasy is used to explore relationships and break down some natural inhibitions. The stories of one of the Riders, the Little Lost Girl, is quite poignant.

The book starts quite well, with some wry humor and acerbic acceptance of the prosaic world with occasional flashes of magic. Some moments are downright amusing, such as the story of the zombie frog (why should the sisters lose their favorite pet just because he died?).

The intelligent but plain Toni's search for a husband shows inexperienced but pragmatic approach. She asks her pretty and popular sister Candice for help:

Candy started up the stairs, then looked over her shoulder. "Don't take this the wrong way, Toni, but I can't honestly promise Prince Charming, okay?"
"Prince Breathing will do."
"Gotcha."

Unfortunately, the book slows down and concentrates on the well-rounded, three dimensional, but ultimately unexciting people coping with the death of a family member, inconvenience of pregnancy, emotional roller-coasters of unemployment and marriage, and coming to terms with human gifts and imperfections. There is also an awkward lump in the middle which explains the fundamentals of futures trading.

Many of my favorite, action-filled books have been written by women authors; and this novel has been written by a man; nevertheless, I will stereotype this as a "chick book". Concentrating on relationship and emotional growth without significant external conflicts may be an essential part of a literary novel, but in truth, it is just boring.

Overall: 5; Plot: 3.5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 6; World-building: 5; Originality: 4;

ISBN: 0-441-00547-0 Order from: Amazon.com