FICTION

'Til the Well Runs Dry

by Lauren Francis-Sharma
Holt. May 2014. 400p. ISBN 9780805098037. $26; ebk. ISBN 9780805098044. F
COPY ISBN
Francis-Sharma's first novel tells the story of Marcia Garcia, a Trinidadian seamstress with a troubled family history and two young boys to raise. The story starts in 1943, when Marcia marries a young police officer named Farouk Karam and follows their relationship along its rocky path through 1965. Most of her life, Marcia struggles to nurture their now four kids single-handedly while protecting her many secrets, as Farouk lives in a nearby city and deals with problems of his own. Eventually, Marcia makes a risky and courageous decision, which she hopes will save her family from the same struggles that life has dealt her. The chapters are alternately narrated by Marcia, Farouk, and their daughter, Jacqueline, thereby giving the reader a chance to understand each character thoroughly.
VERDICT The author does an excellent job of developing her characters and expressing the difficulties of their lives, while providing the reader with authentic Trinidadian touches. An excellent book for fans of historical fiction and Caribbean tales, this will also be appreciated by those who enjoy following characters through large segments of their life, rather than just viewing a snapshot of time.
Reviewed by Katie Wernz, Kent State Univ. Lib., OH , Apr 25, 2014
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