Description
Book SynopsisAbandoned on foreign soil in a world where language and customs are a mystery, Sophia James, the eldest of six Californian children, is in chargeand she is only eleven. Told through the eyes of the sixty-year-old Sophia as she sits with oils painting a large canvas, The Smell of Sugarcane is based on a true story. Traveling through time with Sophia, the reader witnesses the strength and power that can be found when a human spirit is determined to survive and succeed. As she advances her painting, a remarkable story unfolds in a place where love is hidden and dangers abound and children hold tight. Rich with tropical colors, the book revolves around the island of Puerto Rico. Its factual and descriptive narrative keeps the reader captive as the painting progresses. The reader will skip a heartbeat in moments when the children are in danger and will cry for their fears and injustices or laugh and celebrate victories.The Smell of Sugarcane is about the importance of instilling strong principles and good values at an early age. Without these, the children would have been lost. This book is about picking up the torch of life and holding it high while running with all one's might. Ultimately, it is about good profoundly triumphing over evil.
Trade ReviewThe pace of the writing is both seductive and wonderfully rhythmical—a difficult challenge superbly-achieved given the nature and burden of the times and circumstances. A gem of a book. -- Michael Sellers, author of Cache on the Rocks
I read the first two hundred and fifty pages of The Smell of Sugarcane and went to bed. . . . Had to get up at 1 am and finish it! I loved it. Sophia is the Latin version of a Steel Magnolia. -- Donald White, freelance editor, Silver Spring, Maryland
From the first page I was drawn in. . . . It left me feeling more empowered. -- Traci Barnett, CEO, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland
Beverly: A creative artist of the Americas. -- Rudy Mangual, publisher, editor-in-chief, Latin Beat Magazine
Table of ContentsSugarcane Prologue Chapter One—The Painting Chapter Two—Medicine Chapter Three—The Essence: The Core Chapter Four—Rural Life, Smoke and Ashes Chapter Five—Venezuela in Turmoil Chapter Six—Puerto Rico, Another World Chapter Seven—Mask of Deception Chapter Eight—Music Chapter Nine—Fruits of Deceit Chapter Ten—The Face of Evil Chapter Eleven—Silent Heroes Chapter Twelve—Mali, Singapore, Madagascar Chapter Thirteen—Everyday Staple, Traditions and Sugar Cane Chapter Fourteen—Poetry and a Kiss Chapter Fifteen—A Sparkle in the Rough Chapter Sixteen—Maryland Chapter Seventeen—The Crossroads Chapter Eighteen—The Dream; University Chapter Nineteen—The Face of Love Chapter Twenty—Travel, Suitors and True Love Epilogue Sugarcane Mills of Puerto Rico’s Past
