| BOOK REVIEW (This review has also been published at www.701.com) |
| TRAVELS WITH MY DAUGHTER - NIEMA ASH Book Review by Diane Wells |
| This Barbara Amiel look-alike (in her younger days, anyway) from Montreal candidly offers a tasty slice of controversy in matters maternal, familial, sexual and artistic, centered in the exotic environs of Montreal, Marrakesh (Morocco) and Malaga (Spain), circa the late 60s. Whether one chooses to praise or condemn the author's unorthodox approach to the aforementioned issues, her approach should also be considered in the context of the time period in which it occurred - a time of social and political upheaval, not just for women but for the millions of open-minded people who dared to challenge the status quo. It is a very interesting narration, as we follow the journey of a free-spirited woman, "born to wander", who suddenly finds herself thrust into the unwilling and highly restrictive role of mother. She is brutally honest in describing the anguish and frustration she initially felt, and if it weren't for the particular circumstances of the conception of her daughter, this story, while still retaining its essential components, might well have been just another anthropologic travelogue. The novel is certainly spiced up with the inclusion of Canadian celebrity poets and/or songwriters such as Irving Layton, Leonard Cohen and Cedric Smith, currently an actor and formerly a songwriter-musician who co-founded Perth Country Conspiracy. There is also a humorous but compassionate anecdote concerning the late John Lee Hooker. As they drift in and out of the story, Ms. Ash spares nothing in relating her personal experiences with them. While there isn't much feedback from Niema's daughter, Ronit (perhaps her own "Mommie Dearest" is forthcoming?), Ronit would seem to have weathered her non-cloistered upbringing quite well. The reader does, however, get an honest and credible retrospective opinion from David, the son of Niema's best friend, Rachel, both of whom went along for the ride on the "Marrakesh Express". David's feelings of being parentally neglected and even temporarily "abandoned" by his mother at that time seem perfectly legitimate to me, especially considering that he was only 11 years old at the time. As well, because the reader is left wondering how these compelling and sometimes bizarre characters fared in their later lives, one could perhaps anticipate a sequel to the saga, to satisfy the unanswered questions. Come to think of it, the story would make an interesting movie, naturally including Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's "Marrakesh Express" in the soundtrack. It's definitely not for the conservative-minded. |
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