Book of the Little Axe: A Novel Kindle Edition

My Book Club read The Book of the Little Axe by Lauren Francis-Sharma in July, 2020, upon the recommendation of another award-winning author, Laila Lalami (whose book we read in May), and we recently held our discussion in August. I really enjoyed the novel – I thought it was deep, and rich and I truly savored every word. It made me think of the decisions we wrestle with and the consequences they bring, both immediate, and years later. It made me think about dreams, plans, and how they are affected by the society and world around us (never truer than during a pandemic!). And women – how incredibly strong we are! As a group we thought about mother/teen relationships, and how, as much as you try to protect your child from the outside world, it always creeps in. This is a story about how worlds and cultures overlap, and while that can wreak terrible tragedy, it can also bring about much beauty and joy.

A provocative story about life, love, family, motherhood, belonging, colorism, classism, racism, African and Native American history. Fiction marries non-fiction in this compelling and provocative story. The author masterfully incorporated historical events that took place in Trinidad and into the old American West territory.Lauren Francis-Sharma skillfully crafted a captivating story that entertained as well as educated us with what was obviously an extensive amount of research. Crucial to the story was each character's role. The characters were entangled in complicated relationships. All were necessary for the ultimate journey in seeking freedom, that only knowing the truth can bring.The main character Rosa Rendon would take us on an unlikely feat for people of color during the 1800s. She freely crossed the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, journeying from Trinidad to the American West territory.Rosa exhibited feminists tendencies, refusing to be choke-hold into woman servitude. She boldly took hold of life, challenged the ideations, social beliefs, and laws that governed gender biases. For Victor, it's a coming of age story, struggling with needing to belong and self-identity. With the strength of his mother's love, he would embark on a tumultuous journey of finding his truth, unblocking his path.

I love ‘Till the Well Runs Dry, so I was thrilled when I learned Lauren Francis-Sharma had a second novel coming out this year. Her first book chronicled the tribulations and triumphs of a Trinidadian family that emigrates to the United States in the twentieth century. Returning to what might seem like familiar territory for her second novel, Francis-Sharma turns her keen eye this time to an earlier era. A time fraught with uncertainty when Trinidad changes from Spanish to British control, leaving even free black landowners in peril. Leaving the family farm she loves, Rosa Rendón finds a new life in Montana with the Crow chief Edward Rose. Both are haunted by loss of the worlds they once knew and the dangers of a hostile present. Wondering what kind of future her son Victor will inhabit, Rosa must face her child’s true inheritance. In a story whose themes of race, identity, and upheaval are especially relevant in our own turbulent times, Book of the Little Axe is a reminder that even in the face of inhumanity, the greatest faith is hope.

I have to admit---once I began reading--I couldn't put this book down. Each character is fully and supremely wrought and the story touches upon an element of history often overlooked: the union of Native Americans and Black and Brown people in the Americas. I fell in love with the character of Rosa and found myself reading the ending again and again because of her bravery and loyalty, If you are looking for a book to get lost in, this is it. I've been telling all my friends about this book but refuse to lend it out b/c i want to keep it close. This is the second book I read by this author, and I'm looking forward to whenever she releases a next one.

Such a story of great history great love and great survival!!“I’m fine now, she whispered. You can live in grief or You can push grief outside of you.” Rosa #bookofthelittleaxe“There is no place in this land for humility.” Edward Rose #bookofthelittleaxe“To lose your life while still living it is to know no greater sorrow.” Rosa #bookofthelittleaxe“Ma lay beside him, settling into the feather bed, and Victor could smell her morning washed skin and her breath sweet with ripe berries, and he thought then there must be no greater comfort in all the many worlds than a mother’s body wrapped about yours.” #bookofthelittleaxe“How to Love and not break is a question that won’t be answered in my lifetime, for sure.” #bookofthelittleaxe“Touch was a long lost memory.” #bookofthelittleaxe

When I heard the premise of this book, I was intrigued and skeptical. A woman of African descent from Trinidad ends up in what is now known as Big Horn, Montana in 1830? Really? The likelihood and the logistics baffled me. Well, Francis-Sharma handles this masterfully with confidence backed up by compelling characters, complicated relationships, and what must have been a tremendous amount of research. It is written in three threads: a teenager, Victor coming of age in the Crow Nation in 1830, his mother Rosa's story of growing up in 1796 Trinidad, and Creadon Rampley finding his way in the American West of the early 1800s. Loosely entwined at first, the weave of the story lines becomes increasingly tighter until they fuse into a single spell-binding narrative. Full review at carolmitchellbooks.

I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my boss as a way to support the author. She loved it and said that she could not put it down over the holidays. She was also happy to have a great read while snowed-in during the recent winter storm and is looking forward to reading 'Til the Well Runs Dry by the same author.

Good read. Kept my attention throughout the entire book. I kind of wish we, as readers, had been able to take the final journey with Victor and Da.