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- Pagoda Dreamer Reviewed By Fran Lewish Of Bookpleasures.com
Pagoda Dreamer Reviewed By Fran Lewish Of Bookpleasures.com
- By Fran Lewis
- Published December 23, 2009
- Biographies & Memoirs
Fran Lewis
Reviewer Fran Lewis:
Fran worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing
Staff Developer for over 36 years. She has three masters degrees and
a PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently. She is a member of
Who's Who of America's Teachers and Who's
Who of America's Executives from Cambridge. In addition,
she is the author of three children's books and a fourth Alzheimer’s
book is Memories are Precious: Alzheimer’s Journey: Ruth’s story
in honor of her mom. Fran
hopes to create more awareness for a cure of Alzheimer.
She
was also the musical director for shows in her school and ran the
school's newspaper. Fran writes reviews for authors upon request and
for several other sites. You can read some of my reviews on Ezine.com
and on ijustfinished under
the name Gabina.
Follow Here To Listen to Fran's Radio Show and Here
View all articles by Fran Lewis
Author: Judith
March Davis
ISBN: 9781934938904
Publisher: Langdon
Street Press
Click Here To Purchase Pagoda Dreamer
A biography told by the daughter
of poet and writer Dorothy Rowe in the author’s and her mother’s
own words. Letters written by Dorothy Rowe a woman so enthralled with
China and its history from an early age, helped the reader get to
know and understand the history of that nation. Living in China and
then becoming educated in America her daughter tells an inspiring
story of a woman who looked at life with a much different perspective
than we would. Understanding and living her life in an Asian country,
she learned to understand and embrace the culture and soon became
assimilated within it and its culture.
The
author painted a picture of China so vividly that you can see the
many places that Dorothy visited and lived in. She published her
poetry in magazines and was fortunate that McMillan published her
four books for children. Each of her letters was so honest and
truthful. Reading each one enabled the reader to get to know and
understand the writer and her mother’s amazing story.
When
her life would settle into mundane routines she became restless and
longed for a vacation, shopping spree or a change. Trying to
reconcile her differences with her husband and learning to be a
parent caused many conflicts for Dorothy within herself. Dorothy’s
emotions and reactions to situations often set the stage for major
changes in her life. Moving to different places throughout her
marriage she became disconnected from her friends and family except
for her sister Lurry. She was able to confide in her sister and they
often spent time together in New York and other places in order for
Dorothy to regroup and be able to handle her life when she
returned.
Benjamin March, her husband, was an expert
on Asian Art. He joined the staff of the University of Michigan and
once again she moved to another home. This time she moved to Ann
Arbor and after his death she joined the staff of the same University
in their History of Art Department
A terrible bout
with TB and learning that she had diabetes were major setbacks in her
life causing her to remain in the hospital and rehabilitation for a
very long time. She missed out on much of her daughter’s life. When
she became ill and could no longer work she channeled her energies
into helping those who were in the same ward with her and encouraged
them with her courage, lack of defeat and sense of
humor.
Dorothy Rowe March was a person that
seemed unfulfilled throughout most of her life. She seemed to long
for more and got bored easily with her life and her family
responsibilities.
With many
more tragedies to withstand and a daughter that endured many of her
own, Dorothy’s life was not easy and many adjustments had to be
made in order to accommodate the needs of others.
Although
Dorothy tried her best to take care of her daughter and make her
happy she often became annoyed, disgruntled and gave her the old
silent treatment when things did not go her way. She even went as far
as trying to make her daughter feel guilty for the hard work she put
into making her meals and taking care of her, making herself out to
be a martyr when Judith was recovering from her illness.
All
of her life Dore needed the approval and acceptance of others and
wanted to feel vital at home and in her jobs. Any person that feels
that they have outlived their purpose in life often becomes depressed
and might do things that would cause themselves harm as she did with
her drinking. Dore felt unappreciated, not needed and alone in her
later years. Retirement made her feel useless and although she could
have reconnected with some of her students or college friends, she
did not.
Dorothy Rowe left the world a great legacy in her
books, poetry, articles and her articles. But, the best tribute to a
parent and legacy is one that Judith March Davis has written and the
special toast she made to her mother when she went and fulfilled her
dream of going to China. I would love to read her children’s books
and it was an honor to review this book.
Click Here To Purchase Pagoda Dreamer