Kim Robinson Reviews

Added September 6, 2005

The Roux in the Gumbo

Author: Kim Robinson
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
Available At: www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Publishing Date: April 2005
Genre: Fiction: Historical Saga
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML
Price: Pending
ISBN: 159374-204-5
Author Email/Website: www.kim-robinson.com
Reviewer: Lisa Lambrecht

The Roux in The Gumbo is a biography with a little bit of fiction thrown into the mixture. The story tells the tale of author Kim Robinson's family starting generations back and especially her grandmother, Helen, who was a very special woman with a big caring heart. The story starts in Louisiana during the days of slavery and moves up through history until the present day in California.

We follow the tale of the life of slaves and how they were beaten, raped and overworked. We also learn of voodoo, healing with herbs and spices, the war, the fight with the KKK, illegal drinking and gambling establishments.

One young girl escapes, left for dead, hoping to die until one kind hearted soul offers refuge, freedom and a new life. She learns the art of healing from a great healer who raised her like she was her own child. We then follow her story and watch as she finds true love and has a family of her own.

As this story progresses, we follow the life of each child of every generation. Their ups and downs. The happiness and sadness. Their fight for the right to exist and thrive in a world that had other ideas. Even though this family had to overcome great obstacles, they still had big, caring hearts to welcome others in need into their close knit fold. Never once bemoaning their life or what fate has offered them. I have to say I admired for their loving and strength.

This story was aptly named, The Roux in The Gumbo, roux is a gravy base and the foundation of the gumbo dish. In this story we find that Helen was the mainstay, the foundation of this author's family. Strong, steadfast, caring and lovable. We all have our own "roux" in each of our families. Whether it is a mother, father, grandmother or grandfather, that one person who holds the rest of the chaos together, who teaches us right from wrong, is strong willed but soft hearted when it counts. Reading this story, I got to know Helen. I watched as she grew up, went through some rough times and still ended up being a very special and caring woman. A woman I wish I had the chance to meet in real life. I could tell she touched everyone she came into contact with.

The Roux in The Gumbo is author Kim Robinson's first story and hopefully not the last. At the beginning, this story was a bit confusing to read until I got into the feeling and flow of things. I say confusing because Ms Robinson constantly changes points of view or I should say switches from one person's story to another's. But don't let this stop you from reading this story, it takes just a short time to get the feel and into the flow of the writing and it's really worth reading. The Roux in The Gumbo is an incredibly inspirational, heartfelt and amazing story that should not be missed. New author Kim Robinson shows much potential in her writing. She writes with feeling and from the heart and because of this trait the reader can't help but feel the ups and downs, the happiness and sadness along with the characters while reading. I know if her grandmother was alive today, she would be very proud of her. Kim also includes one of her families Gumbo recipes that has this reviewer itching to try it out for her very first taste of Gumbo. *g* I can't help but highly recommend this story to readers; I know you will feel as moved as I after reading this wonderful and special story.

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