Synopsis
After the loss of the
key to the family secret treasures, family traditions withered and fell along
the way, leaving cultural beliefs and practices to catch up. Finding no reason
to hang on to an unpredictable future, nearly all family members moved on, in
search of a better life. With the help of his Maker, one man clung to the
tattered fabrics of his inheritance, hoping that a miracle would come his way,
and find the lost valuable means to access the wealth. The unflinching hope
kept him going, and he repeatedly told the story to his descendents. How long
would he wait, and would it happen in his life time, he wondered. The Mystery
Box dramatically takes the reader through all the events experienced by the
Kwoyome family, in their attempt to reclaim their heritage and rewrite their
history, and at the same time raising up their two orphaned grandchildren.
Why I wrote
the Mystery Box:
The Mystery Box is the
first book in the Echoes of The Mystery Box series. It was passionately written
in its simplest form with preteens in mind, for them to embrace positive values
at an early stage. The core of the matter is family unit natured by sound
relationships. Relationships are intricate, delicate and can come in many forms
in a family set up. It is how we manage them, and how they mould our lives as we
participate in such drama. My main concern is orphans, who have infiltrated
urban areas of developing countries, and added to the growing street
population. It frightens me when I think about this street generation in years to
come. I used the Kwoyome family as one example of how orphans can be
accommodated. In a loving, caring family, they simply fit in and grow up as
normal children. Dramatically, The Kwoyome kids, under the custodian of their
grandparents, greatly contributed in the reclaiming and rewriting of their
family history.
To the Reader:
I am advocating that orphans
need to be given a chance to live in a family set up, and in their communities to
consolidate their cultural identity and heritage. Love and respect of one
another, intertwined with whatever tangible material resources available, will
keep families together.
People’s Views:
I had intentionally
written the book for preteens, but it has turned out to be a family book. After
reading my book some critiques still think that, no matter how you strive to
help, a street population will always be there, even in developed countries. My
response to them is that, if their vision is to leave the planet a better place
than they found it, positive contribution is all I ask for. Combined effort
makes a difference. Others were quite moved by how the whole family was
dramatically involved in various adventures in a bid to find the hidden
treasure. Many readers confessed it was difficult to leave the book and do
other errands. Young readers enjoyed the drama displayed through out the book,
and are constantly asking, “When are we getting Settle for nothing Less?”
The main
character:
Mildew, the family
dog is the main character. Where the family had misgivings, the dog took the
lead.
“You are such a
good boy, Mildew. You do the unexpected and you come out right all the time.
What are you made of?” he spoke softly to the dog. (excerpt from The Mystery
Box)
Where Thiam and
Tamara wanted to cover up, he exposed them.
Mildew shifted
his eyes from the box to Thiam, from Thiam to Tamara, and then to grandfather.
“Mildew seems to have a story to tell me,” remarked Mr Kwoyome. (excerpt
from The Mystery Box)
Behind the scenes:
I removed the tragic
death of Thiam and Tamara’s parents. I didn’t want the young readers to get shrouded
in the gloomy veil of death when they were supposed to enjoy the drama, mystery
and suspense displayed in the story.
The Mystery Box is available at Amazon.
Thank you Rachelle for the book chat. I enjoyed it. You gave me the platform to talk about my work. I appreciate.
ReplyDeleteTouching work, intriguing story, may the ink of your pen never run dry, may the source of your imagination continue to spur you on...
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