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December 05, 2005
Cinnamon Kiss
Posted at December 5, 2005 08:06 AM in Books .
One of my greatest passions is reading. Unfortunately, for a few years now I have been suffering with something. I had no idea, at the time, why I felt so tired or drained. I would pick up a book, try to get through it and often found myself putting them down or stalling for a time when I was more focused.
During the past few months of prednisone, focusing was a chore—actually, it was nonexistent. I would pick up a book only to discover I could not focus long enough on what I was reading to get anything out of it. Talk about frustrating.
I continued to buy books however and though I have way too many books around this house, I still found places to store them. I waited patiently for the day I could actually pick up a book and read and enjoy the written word.
Two weeks after prednisone my brain was back in force and the first book I picked up was Walter Mosley’s Cinnamon Kiss. Since I am such a voracious reader, I decided I would create a section here on my blog for book reviews and Cinnamon Kiss will serve as my first.
I’ve never been one for detective stories or fiction for that matter. I typically love autobiographies, biographies, books on history—basically, anything nonfiction. I will read the occasional nonfiction book when I’ve been assured the writer is equally an artist, i.e., Toni Morrison.
Well, Water Mosley is such the artist and I found myself not wanting to put this book down. Throughout the book, Mr. Mosley drops subtle hints and interesting character studies and/or observations on the people he meets along the way. He also has quite a way with describing food. Several times I found myself feeling hungry, particularly after one description on what he was preparing for breakfast.
He also has a way of holding you throughout the book with a storyline that takes many twists and turns from San Francisco to Los Angeles. And then there are his very interesting friends who have these unique little personality traits that make you wonder how these guys could ever be friends, but they are and their unique personalities actually help solve the different problems Easy Rawlings (the main character) has along the way.
When I found myself staying up until 3:00 a.m. to finish the book, I knew I was hooked on Walter Mosley and his character, Easy Rawlings. I was not disappointed. The end was the final twist I had not expected and loved him for it.
I love layered writing and Mr. Mosely proved his abilities to keep you captivated with the many storylines that appear. There is his relationship with the woman in his life. In the beginning you see their relationship and admire the man for his actions. Later, after his revelation, you understand why his relationships with women change.
There are other relationships as well. We learn about and equally understand the characters without losing focus on the main theme—they actually contribute to the main story.
There is the potential for tragedy and he creatively allowed me to feel that pending tragedy. It held me until resolution and contributed to that constant feeling of being on edge throughout—a nice little tension.
I’m not good at writing book reviews as is evident. Hopefully, I’ll get better at this. I can say this though, if you’ve never read a Walter Mosley book and are as unfamiliar with the Easy Rawlings character as I was, this is a good book to read. I’m now interested in other books by Walter Mosley and recently purchased another of his books in the series.
Water Mosley is a talented writer, crazy as all get out, and knows how to hold you throughout. His scene descriptions will help visualize where he is, you will know his mood, you can visualize the characters, and your mind’s eye is constantly engaged. Cinnamon Kiss is one you won’t want to put down.
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