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HomeShop at BookSurgeHealth & FitnessHerbal MedicationsThe Power: A Novel of Voodoo |
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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 29 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 Daughter of a Voodoo Priestess Jan 21, 2008
By Phyllis T. Smith
Eight-year-old Reyna, daughter of a voodoo priestess, pale enough to pass for white, sneaks out of a slave cabin late at night to watch her mother and other slaves perform a voodoo ceremony. But the master and his overseer happen upon the scene and her mother is sentenced to a savage whipping. The use of language in this piece is that of an extraordinary writer, capable of painting exquisite pictures in words. However, the choice of an omniscient point of view and the delving into several characters' minds in this short span of pages dilutes the excerpt's emotional impact, distancing us from Reyna. Admittedly, there are passages involving matters that the child cannot know that it would be pity to remove. The description of the African tribal background of the slaves stands out in this regard. What if the omniscient voice was kept but the only thoughts we were made privy to were Reyna's? It adds little to this excerpt to know what the master and the overseer are thinking, since we have their dialogue. (And the dialogue is beautifully done.) In my opinion, there needs to be some fine-tuning here. But that does not detract form the fact that this piece contains descriptive writing that is as good as any we see published. I believe this is the work of a writer of extraordinary gifts, but one not yet fully in control of his craft.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 Historical fiction that feels real Feb 01, 2008
By Patricia Nell Warren
"Gone With the Wind" never got this real. The start of Jim Duggins' debut novel edges uncomfortably but vividly close to the times, the moment that our country was in, the worst abuses of slavery. The excerpt I read was emotionally raw, well-written, movie-like. I can't wait to read the rest. -- Patricia Nell Warren
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Excellent character development Feb 25, 2008
By Dinsey
Excellent character development--I could visualize each individual in my mind's eye. Plot grabbed me right away and
moved me along rapidly to the end of available pages and left me wanting to read it in its entirety.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Powerful and compelling Feb 25, 2008
By Harold H. Miller
I found the story telling compelling and powerful. As an historical context takes what would have been an otherwise unbelievable story and makes it believable. Kept my interest and makes me want to read more from Duggins.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
The mystical Power by Theodore Miller, author Feb 12, 2008
By Theodore Miller
Jim Duggins' dynamic opening captures the primal heartbeat of slaves practicing their ancient tribal rituals; imprisoned souls escaping to the only freedom possible on the plantation in the 1840's. The slaves entranced minds and impassioned bodies succumb to the mystical power of the exotic Lucy, their Voodoo Queen. Lucy's Reyna bears witness to the brutality that will stay with her for the rest of her life -- whites control and dominate blacks. But Lucy's Reyna knows there are unseen shades, older than white men's gods ... Duggins' descriptive language and realistic dialogue paint vivid scenes and bring the story alive. I want to read more.
See all 29 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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