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City Of Refuge (2008)

by Tom Piazza(Favorite Author)

3.92 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0061238619 (ISBN13: 9780061238611)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Harper

review 1: 3.5 Actually. City of Refuge is a novel that focuses on two New Orleans families - one black and one white - as they try to cope with the impact of Hurricane Katrina on their lives. The author does a great job of bringing to life the flavor of the Lower Ninth Ward, the uniqueness of New Orleans streets, the hopelessness of the elderly and the poverty stricken, the panic of the flood waters, and the lack of sanitation in the Superdome. He writes about the exodus, the lack of information regarding who was affected, the inability to know whether one's own family was alive, or dead. Although the story was very interesting, especially the first half, and I wanted to know what was to come of each of the families, I found that in trying to portray New Orleans in a positive and ... moreloving way, the author got a bit too detailed and repetitive about it's attractions. I also felt that the main characters, a white business man, Craig, and a black Vietnam vet, SJ, were stereotypical, devoid of richness, and lacked dimension - more so with Craig than with SJ. In the end, I felt the author left us in the dark regarding the outcome of these individual's lives - almost as if he wasn't sure where to go with them. I liked this book but was unable to give it a 4-star review.
review 2: As a New Orleanian, I would've given this novel five stars, however I am also a writer. I loved everything about these two stories and forgave the problems that others might point out, such as; telling instead of showing. I think he held the reader's hand as it went along instead of trusting the writing. I dig how much he loves NOLA, but he kind of beats you over the head with it. Naming all the streets and places and music that others don't know is kind of like hearing the teachers in a Charlie Brown cartoon. Would I recommend it? Yes, I would...to everyone. It still drives to the heart of two family's experiences during the storm. You feel the pain and heartbreak and that makes this novel a success. less

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