Wisdom

Rating:
Summary: An Undiscovered Treasure
Review: "Wisdom" takes its place among the top ten books that I have read this year. It amazes me that this book has gone virtually undiscovered and unpraised by the literary arena while other less skillfully written, shallow books receive high praise simply because the authors name is one that is "recognized"???

"Wisdom" is a beautiful story about the determination of a woman who, in what she believes are her last days, sets out to discover who she really is and who her ancesters were -- to reclaim her family. The book is set in St. Croix and Ms. Neff gives the reader a front row view of the beauty and mystery of the island and its history and culture as the story of Wisdom unfolds. From start to finish this is a story that holds your attention and draws on your emotions. I can easily envision this story as a movie that would receive rave reviews.

I applaud Ms. Neff and thank her for the time devoted to writing a literary treasure! I look forward to her next. . .

Wisdom is a must read!

Rating:
Summary: An Undiscovered Treasure
Review: "Wisdom" takes its place among the top ten books that I have read this year. It amazes me that this book has gone virtually undiscovered and unpraised by the literary arena while other less skillfully written, shallow books receive high praise simply because the authors name is one that is "recognized"???

"Wisdom" is a beautiful story about the determination of a woman who, in what she believes are her last days, sets out to discover who she really is and who her ancesters were -- to reclaim her family. The book is set in St. Croix and Ms. Neff gives the reader a front row view of the beauty and mystery of the island and its history and culture as the story of Wisdom unfolds. From start to finish this is a story that holds your attention and draws on your emotions. I can easily envision this story as a movie that would receive rave reviews.

I applaud Ms. Neff and thank her for the time devoted to writing a literary treasure! I look forward to her next. . .

Wisdom is a must read!

Rating:
Summary: "Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover"
Review: At first glance Heather Neff's "Wisdom" may look like another one of those "journey to find my roots" lightweight novels. It is in fact a novel that reads so beautifully it is almost like a long poem. Maia is from Michigan and visits St. Croix for a 3-week vacation. Stories have been passed down in her family about their Crucian roots and Maia wants to see the island. She meets Severin (nicknamed "Seven" because he is the 7th son) who is the sole male survivor of the Wisdom estate. While there Maia discovers her own ties to the Wisdom estate and Seven. The author "Heather Neff" was inspired to write this novel after living on the island of St. Croix for two years and painting a picture of a slave sitting on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Ms. Neff is very respectful about the island, and the natives and touches on the anti-American sentiment that is under the surface when Americans visit these islands and treat them as their own private playgrounds. There are underlying themes of love, loneliness, and illness. Ms Neff is able to carry all of these subplots off while keeping the story interesting. I recommend novel to anyone that enjoys reading about travel, family histories, or simple love stories.

Reviewed by
Sandra Pettiford

Rating:
Summary: Detailed, Deep, and Important
Review: Dr. Heather Neff's second novel, "Wisdom", is an intriguing journey into race relations set in the Caribbean island St. Croix. Neff's characters are a treat, at once elegant and real, created with depth and feeling. Neff explores love, humanity, and truth in her smart and poignant novel. Maia is a strong female character and leads the reader through a period of growth that involves her gay friend Damien, her lover Noah, and her slave ancestor's owners, the Johanssens. It is a rich novel filled with vivid descriptions, moving dialogue, and a touch of mystery. The book is easy to read despite its hard-hitting issues of racism. Definitly a book I recommend, not only to read, but to re-read.

Rating:
Summary: A SUMMER (WINTER, SPRING, FALL) MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: It took me just a few pages to dive into this unusually intelligent book, filled with suspense!

The novel is very refreshing, full of unexpected twists and turns. It's a stunning blend of history and fiction, emotions and realism. The visual quality reminded me of "Blackgammon", Heather Neff's first and also outstanding novel!

While "Blackgammon" made me wander the streets of Europe, "Wisdom" made me want to wake up in the Caribbean again, even if it meant to face the mixed past of this region. It makes you long for that quiet corner, where you can tune out everything around you and step into another world.

I can't wait for the next book by Heather Neff!

Rating:
Summary: Detailed, Deep, and Important
Review: Save your money. This book is a predictable simpering pile of freshly laid, egg and sausage induced, dogpoo. I gave the book one star because I couldn't see how to give it no stars and still leave a review.

Wisdom might not be predictable if you haven't quite yet reached the fourth grade, however, ten year olds ought not to be reading the .... that neff fills page after page with. None of the characters seem real despite ms neff's tiresome adjective abuse. She routinely pulls solutions out of nowhere with less finesse than one might see in any given episode of the beverly hillbillies. The ending is a three ring circus of contrived danger and antics leading to the stories anticlimactic and juvenile conclusion.

In short, the man gets the girl, the girl gets the land, and whitey gets what's coming to him.

<sigh>

Rating:
Summary: Hardy Boys meets Harlequin - staring "The Three Stooges"
Review: Save your money. This book is a predictable simpering pile of freshly laid, egg and sausage induced, dogpoo. I gave the book one star because I couldn't see how to give it no stars and still leave a review.

Wisdom might not be predictable if you haven't quite yet reached the fourth grade, however, ten year olds ought not to be reading the .... that neff fills page after page with. None of the characters seem real despite ms neff's tiresome adjective abuse. She routinely pulls solutions out of nowhere with less finesse than one might see in any given episode of the beverly hillbillies. The ending is a three ring circus of contrived danger and antics leading to the stories anticlimactic and juvenile conclusion.

In short, the man gets the girl, the girl gets the land, and whitey gets what's coming to him.

Rating:
Summary: A RICH ISLAND TALE
Review: Wisdom by Heather Neff is a rich and colorful story about a woman in search of
her past. In Wisdom, we meet Maia Ransom, a visitor to the island of St. Croix
who has adapted to the Crucian lifestyle like a native. Maia is drawn to the
island after years of hearing about the estate Wisdom. Wisdom is the place
where her ancestors served as slaves and it harbors many secrets about Maia's
family and the Johanssens, the landowners of the estate.

Heather Neff tells a vibrant story of a woman trying to find her destiny
through her family's history. Maia is a strong and mysterious character who
will capture readers from the first page. Neff makes readers care about her
and she lays the ground work for the readers to develop a beautiful
relationship with Maia through writing that is often lyrical and poetic. The
island of St. Croix is described in such magnificent detail that is sure to
motivate a trip or two among readers. The supporting characters are also
colorful, full of life, and memorable.

Wisdom is a poignant read told by a master storyteller. Heather Neff is an
extremely talented writer with a flare for description and building compelling
characters. Reviewed by Diane Marbury (HonestD).