THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS by Dorothea Benton Frank
When I first started reading books by Dorothea Benton Frank they were stories you could jump right into. You knew from the first few pages exactly where the book was going. But lately her stories have become more complex. No longer is her intent and purpose evident from the first few pages. Her stories, such as her latest THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS, require an investment on the part of the reader. But when that investment of time and effort is made the reward is greater than ever before.
Miriam Swanson is the focus of MANGO SUNSETS. She is a divorcee' living in New York City. Her best friend is her tenant Kevin. He is a gay man who works downtown and knows everything and everyone in the City. He is also Miriam's confidant and the one who knows how bitter she is about what life has handed her.
Miriam played by the rules, or what she thought were the rules, and ended up with a husband who left her for a younger woman. She is also "semi" estranged from her two sons who seem to have full lives that don't include her. Her townhouse in New York is her only security and she can only afford it by renting out two of the bedrooms. Kevin lives in one and at the start of the book she is looking for a new tenant.
There is also a connection to Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. That is where her mother, Miss Josie, lives. Miriam grew up there and calls it "the land of Mango sunsets" because of the color the sky turns at the end of the day. Miriam has not been back to Sullivan's Island in some time but decides to go there for a brief vacation.
There she meets Harrison Ford, not the actor but just someone with his name. Harrison is her mother's new friend. Miriam accepts their relationship and is happy her mother has someone in her life. Miriam also meets a friend of Harrison's named Manny. He is interesting to Miriam but not as much so as the charming Harrison.
Frank brings each of these characters, and more, to vibrant life. The interactions of the characters and the emotions they provoke are what make her writing believable and impressive. Throw in a good size dab of humor and you have reading material that just won't let you go. Once you come under the spell of Ms Frank and THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS you are trapped, held prisoner by her talent.
Do not judge THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS by its first few pages. Give it a chapter or two and it will weave its spell. What you hold in your hands when you start this book is a treasure map. It leads and takes you to wonderful places where your heart and your mind will be filled.
Dorothea Benton Frank's writing is evolving much in the same way her character of Miriam evolves. It is more mature. It is more full bodied. It is much richer in warmth and humor and heart. Dorothea Benton Frank is a treasure and so is this book.
THE LAND OF MANGO SUNSETS is published by William Morrow. It contains 335 pages and sells for $24.95.