In the Absence of Joy starts with Mallory sat on a beach, reminiscing about her past. At this stage, you don't know what has happened, just cryptic thoughts as she sits there. However, immediately you are drawn into the story, wanting to know what has happened. You do find out, as you travel back to Mallory's past, when things were very different in America, and the Vietnam War was in full swing. This book is full of emotions, some good, some bad, some heart-breaking. It is hard to think, in this day and age, that segregation like this happened, and I only hope that I will never see the like again.

Exceedingly well written, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt the reading flow, In the Absence of Joy is a story that will hold you until the end, as you watch the story unfold before your eyes. It is a gentle read, dealing with a subject that I have not read much about, not for during that time frame anyway. Most definitely recommended by me!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read his book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa

Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!