Property by Valerie Martin

What a fitting title! What a gruelling account of Manon Gaudet life as a white woman in New Orleans in 1828. But how much more cruel and it was if you happeded bo be born with black skin. Manon's life was so raw. She was owned and frustrated by her primitive type husband but she in turn was jealous and spiteful towards her slave servant Sarah. Survival was all they could both hope for in a land where disease was rife and the Negroes were treated like animals. Neither trusted or respected each other amd so lived in constant fear of reprisal and murder. Yet Manon tried to analyse herself and her surroundings, was ready to admit her family's wrongs and even learned to tolerate and even show signs of affection fot Walter the deaf son of her servant Sarah and her husband.

The scene and the charactors are well set and the story moves along with pace and tension. I wanted to find out what happened next and I am so glad that I have so many friends with black skin who I look up to. Where and when I was born is is not my doing but I am delighted to live at a time when the President of the United States is a black man. Is that because as an Irish person I remember that I read the signs 'No black, no dogs, no Irish need apply, posted on some houses to let?

Beautifully written!

The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry. What a book!Rosanne in the Irish Times, (who reviewed my autobiography) comments: 'It's a story to treasure..' and d'you know that is so true. I normally pass on books...but this not this one. I just turned to the first page and savoured the opening words: 'The world begins again with every birth...'.... how lovely. Personification, metaphor but no cliches. I want to steal his images! If only I had thought of them. Sebastian takes time and dwells on feeling, emotions and descriptions without slowing the pace or being verbose. It all is so well written and so touching. Who ever would have thought that a story about a hundred year old woman in a mental hospital in Sligo would have such an appeal.

I can't help contrasting this book with 'The Shack' by Paul Young. Two friends recommended this book so I purchased it only to be disappointed. Maybe because it has religious overtones they thought that because of my covent existance it would appeal to me...? But perhaps it was precisely because of my 33 years as a nun that I felt it was far too contrived and I would willing give this book to anyone who would take it. Would you like it? The New York Times appears to consider it is popular and after all there are over seven million copies in print!