Friday, April 20, 2012

AMARYLLIS IN BLUEBERRY by Christina Meldrum






AMARYLLIS IN BLUEBERRY

By Christina Meldrum

Available here on Amazon

A book review for 

Food for Thought

a delicious blog for readers with 

an appetite for the written word.




Amaryllis symbolizes 

success that comes from struggle.  

The beauty of an amaryllis comes 

from deep within the bloom and

 thus represents beauty from within.




"The word "amaryllis" 

comes from the Greek word "amaryssein," 

which means to sparkle,"  referring to the bloom.  

Today, the amaryllis symbolizes 

pride, determination and radiant beauty 

- the kind that emanates from 

an inner source and flowers outward."




"In Greek mythology, Amaryllis was a shepherdess who loved Alteo, a shepherd with Hercules' strength and apollo's beauty.  However, Alteo only loved flowers.  He'd often said that he would only love a girl who brought him a new flower.  So, Amaryllis dressed in maiden's white and appeared at Alto's door for 30 nights, each time piercing her heart with a golden arrow.  When Alteo finally opened his door, he found a crimson flower, sprung from the blood of Amaryllis's heart."

Meaning and information above quoted from ehow.com 




Set in the mid 1970s, this is the story of a dysfunctional family, "a head-in-the-fog family" that lives with a life of deception. The father is obsessed with his catholic faith, and the mother is obsessed with the world of Greek Mythology.  Their three oldest daughters are named for the Virgin Mary, and the youngest named, Amaryllis, after the shepherdess who loved Alteo.   


~ Love ~ betrayal ~ faith ~ disbelief ~ redemption ~ 

fill the pages of this book.  



The Slepy Family

~ Dick ~
 the father, a physician, a devout catholic 

~ Senna ~
 the selfish mother, steeped in a world of Greek Mythology

~ Mary Grace ~
eldest daughter, both beautiful and ambitious

~ Mary Catherine ~
overtly pios, insecure, vain

~ Mary Tessa ~
headstrong, rebellious, eager to live for the moment

~ Amaryllis ~
youngest child who was born in a blueberry patch
a synesthete 
"who sees what can't be seen, 
smells what can't be smelled,
 and knows what can't be known"





"In a West African village, Seena Slepy stands trial for the murder of her husband, Dick, a doctor who brought his family from their home in the United States to do humanitarian work.  How Seena got to the crossroads, with her fate hanging in the balance, is told in a series of flashbacks.  Richly atmospheric, Amaryllis in Blueberry is a stirring, soulful novel about the intricacies of human relationships and the haunting nature of secrecy."    Christiana Meldrum



I read this book over a two day period, at times having difficulty sticking with it while at the same time mesmerized by Meldrum's dynamic writing style and the complex emotional drama that each new page offered.   Christiana Meldrum is a talented author.  If you are looking for a book that will stir your emotions, pick up a copy of AMARYLLIS IN BLUEBERRY.


You can find more reviews of this book below:


Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

27 comments:

  1. It sounds like a MUST READ Sarah,
    Your post is beautiful. I LOVE AMARYLLIS and any time I ever visit HOLLAND I come home with a large bag of AMARYLLIS BULBS...I know I can buy them here "BUT" it makes them MORE SPECIAL! Your pictures are SO BEAUTIFUL!
    Have a wonderful weekend,
    Big Hugs,
    Donna

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  2. What an intriguing book! The characters sound so interesting. It has been awhile since I read a good novel, I may check this out on my Nook~~ I'm between books. Thank you for a great review and your pictures are lovely!

    XO,
    Jane

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  3. Like Jane, it sounds very intriguing. So love Amaryllis ... but my 3 didn't bloom this year, sigh.

    Have a great weekend ~
    TTFN ~
    Hugs,
    Marydon

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  4. Liked your post about AIB but didn't like the book, didn't even finish reading it which is something I very rarely do.
    Your photos are so stylish, they belong in Garden & Home Magazine!

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  5. Great review!! I read the book, but forgot to put it on my calendar for today.

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  6. oh my your cover shot is gorgeous... and then it just gets better and better with that fantastically overflowing vase! so many gorgeous shots...

    it was a disturbing book, but i thought it was excellent for that reason, it got under you skin, didn't click right, which means we were hooked. if you don't have a vested interest you don't care~

    wonderful review, i loved all your staging, just perfect!

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  7. What a delightful title for a novel and I just love the way you have present your review. I am not sure if it is available in Europe, but if so will add to the wishlist.

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  8. Amaryllis are a fav flower of mine; and the book title caught my attention. Your review makes it sound worth reading.
    My 2d book (for moms) is released and I am giving away a copy on my blog this week.

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  9. Sarah~ I love your profusion of Amaryllis! This was a hard read for me~ I kept picking it up and putting it down, it was definitely emotionally STIRRING!

    I do love Amaryllis at Christmas! I rarely think of them any other time of year for some reason, but I have planted a few bulbs in the garden but they haven't come back. My MIL's return and rebloom!

    Thanks so much for joining in the fun at FFT! I always enjoy seeing your perspective and it never fails to disappoint :)

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  10. I'm not so sure I'd love this book but I do love all your photos, Sarah, and your beautiful Amaryllis! Yhey are gorgeous and I enjoyed learning more about the origin of the word.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  11. I read this book a few months ago, Sarah. I thought it was well-written, and your post is fantastic. I think you certainly nailed the characters!

    xo,
    RJ

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  12. You have so much info about the book. It sounds so interesting.

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  13. What a beautiful post. Your photos are beautiful, and you made me want to read this book. Are all those beautiful amaryllis from your garden? laurie

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  14. Sarah,
    Hi! I love your description of the book. I love your post.
    Pat

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  15. Hi Sarah! Sounds like a wonderful book! Pretty snaps too.
    Have a wonderful weekend and be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  16. That is such a great name for a book! Born in a blueberry patch. Well, I did have one of mine on a lawn! Lovely pics to go along with the story. I have always intended to do a book review post, but haven't. I love reading other book and picture posts. Joni

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  17. So glad your share about the book. Hope to read it. Your images are beautiful too. Thanks for stopping by.

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  18. This sounds like a good read - albeit, one that I'd have to be in a particular mood to read. I love family stories, especially about sisters.

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  19. wat a fantastic post..
    love d fascinating cliks..;)
    new to your space..
    awesome space you hve
    happy following you.:)
    do stop by mine sometime

    Tasty Appetite

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  20. Your review and lovely photos were a blessing to me tonight. Thank you, sweet friend.'
    And...thank you for the kind comment on my post today about my humble home and belongings. You always know just the right things to say to make me smile.
    hugs and kisses...bj

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  21. Sounds like such an interesting book. Such pretty pictures of the flowers!

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  22. Sarah, Thanks for sharing info on the book. I'll be adding it to my list of books to read. Lovely photos. Hugs, Sherry

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  23. Hi Sarah, I tried to read this but I gave up. I think you really need to be prepared and a little detached to read a disturbing book like this. Your post and pictures are very nice though! And I do love both blueberries and a nice big amaryllis at Christmastime. Linda

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  24. Sarah, Great post, and a WONDERFUL book review. Love your photos.
    Babs

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  25. Sarah this book sounds right up my alley. I will see if it is available on Kindle,

    I wanted to let you know...I am featuring Friend, Designer and Paper Artist Anita Rivera from Castle Crowns and Cottages on my site! She is amazing!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  26. Sarah, I haven't read this book but after reading your review you sure got my attention. The book sounds fascinating. Lovely photographs.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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