 Mainstream Fiction |
A MIGHTY LOVE Anita Doreen Diggs Kensington/Dafina February 2003 (4+) Wayne Jordan |
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PLOT SYNOPSIS: |
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Mel and Adrienne Jordan had the kind of marriage most couples only dream about. But then one day a fire sweeps through their home, causing a terrible tragedy. Convinced that he is to blame, Mel returns to the mean streets of his youth--and indulges in the drugs, drink and women he had left behind years ago. |
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REVIEW: |
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Mel and Adrienne Jordan have the perfect marriage. They’re not rich, but contented with what they have - a lovely home, a beautiful little daughter, and most of all, their love for each other. When Delilah dies in a fire, they are both devastated, and suddenly their once perfect life seems to crumble right before their eyes.
When Adrienne discovers that Delilah’s death is a result of Mel’s falling asleep while smoking, she is angry and they separate. Initially, Adrienne is unwilling to Mel, and when they move into different homes, they slowly begin to drift apart. However, they recognize the fragility of their relationship, and wondering what they are to do to save what is left of it. Six months later, they decide to find an apartment and try again.
With Mel and Adrienne, Ms. Diggs creates two complex characters who, to varying degrees, feel responsible for their daughter’s death. Mel’s suffering is particularly intense as he is the one that caused the accident. His move to his sister’s home is a welcomed reprise, but this only serves to accelerate his downward slide into a life of drugs, woman, and alcohol. The oblivion that comes with his drinking and drug use is his only way of escaping the haunting image of his daughter…at least of a while.
Adrienne, too, suffers over her daughter’s death. She blames herself for taking the time out to go shopping when she knew that Mel was tired, but she cannot control the anger she feels towards him. Along with this, her discontented with her dead-end job and memories of the dreams that she had as a teenager, and Mel’s distance, only increased her belief that everything will not work it
Also closely linked to these conflicts is the story of Lloyd Cooper, now LaMar Jenkins, a character who serves as a perfect contrast to Mel and Adrienne. From a background like theirs, his determination to succeed forces him to embrace an attitude towards his past which causes him to change his name. This denial of self hints at the individuals in our society who strive for social acceptance, and in the process lose sight of who they are by hiding everything about the past and upbringing. Adrienne and Mel loose sight of themselves for a while, but by the end of the book we know they’re back on the right track.
A MIGHTY LOVE speaks to the heart and soul. There are heart wrenching moments…but there is also the knowledge that eventually everything will be alright because of the power love. With this story of tragedy, forgiveness and second chances, Ms. Diggs makes a more that promising debut. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait too long for her second offering. |
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wayne@romanceincolor.net (17th April 2003) |
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