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Reviews
from Susan Haley
”The
Monkey's Nest”
By:
Jo Harris Shaw
Real life through the eyes of an eight
year old? With a title like The Monkey’s Nest and visions of a school
yard playground, I wasn’t prepared for the gift about to be given by author,
Jo Harris Shaw.
Having first seen the pen work of this
writer while writing a column for a poetry publication, I wasn’t expecting to
be taken aback by her ability to create stories in prose. The Monkey’s Nest
is a delightful compilation of, yes, real life.
Though told in the honestly innocent
voice inherent in most young children, the purity and vision of a child shines
through the reflective mind of Jo, the adult. She has maintained the simplicity
and acceptance of Jo, the child, and revels in her young life as being perfectly
normal. And normal it was, for a kid that ‘grew up in a haunted house with
four brothers, a sister, a Southern mother, a Cherokee Indian father and a
grandmother who read tea leaves and ranted about the Civil War.’
A large variety of aunts, uncles,
cousins and the occasional boarder, ‘who never stayed long’ completed the
mix. Sprinkled with an assortment of weird, eccentric neighbors, the scene was
set for several possibilities. Again, I wasn’t prepared to laugh almost
hysterically, have the occasional tear escape down my check, and end up with a
heartfelt love for this quirky family. Especially, the eight year old, Jo, and
the cranky grandmother.
The antics of the brothers, the
unflappability of the Southern mom, the, to her, unflawed logic of the
grandmother, and the barroom brawls common to the Cherokee father who was
undaunted at any step necessary to protect his brood supplied me an afternoon of
joy. I couldn’t put the book down!
A professionally created comedy script couldn’t
challenge the revelry of this ‘real life’ family. Told in mini-stories, the
highlights are too numerous to allow synopsis. I can only strongly urge and
recommend that anyone who loves to laugh, loves stories of real life, loves to feel
something, and can appreciate the simple things in life that build our character
one way or another, The Monkey’s Nest is the book for you. And for
those who simply desire a break from the mundane, the directive of the New York
Times best seller list, the fantasies, the blood and guts thrillers or the
horrors of war, The Monkey’s Nest is for you, too.
Susan Haley, Author/Editor
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