Author: Marilyn Land.

ISBN: 978-1450236362

Publisher: iUniverse.

Lifelong friendships are precious and rare. Diamonds might yield a lot of money when purchased but true friends are more valuable than the most expensive and perfect five-carat stone. Clattering Sparrows focuses on the game most played as children Mahjong. Clattering Sparrows as Mahjong translated refers to the game of Chinese origin where women sit at a table move or push around tiles that make the most amazing sounds as they talk, converse and solve any problems that come up along the way. Listen carefully can you hear the tiles being moved around? Do you here the sound of the tiles clattering as the women call out one bam, two crack or flower? Clattering Sparrows will bring back many memories to readers when you learn more about Sara Miller and Judy Levine and their weekly Mahjong games.

The sound of the ivory tiles fills the air as the walls are built, the positions are chosen and the game is about to begin. Friendships are built with strong foundations when cemented with love and kindness. Lifelong friendships are precious and rare. As you hear the voice of our narrator Sara Miller and hear her story from start her finish you will truly understand the meaning of friendship and realize that it is more precious and valuable than all the jewels in the world.  The ancient Chinese created a game that sparked the attention of so many around the world. Women throughout the world open bridge tables, kitchen or game tables and began setting up those walls, racks and tiles to create the perfect beginning to setting the stage for playing the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong. The sound of the tiles being pushed around these tables and the smiles, joy, fun and laughter you hear when women would meet to have their weekly games is more than just a testament to the Chinese for inventing this great game.

Decisions that we make will often impact the lives of others as this novel opens and we learn from the onset what happens when one doctor decides the fate of two children and changes the course of many lives Hidden lies and secrets can often create catastrophic and traumatic outcomes when revealed.   Dr. Natalie Parker and Katherine Heller formed a close bond and friendship. As dinner was about to be served Katherine began feeling pains, which alerted Natalie that something was wrong. Going into labor she gave birth to a son. One the same night another young girl is brought in from a home for unwed mothers and gives birth to a son. Nothing remarkable about these two events except for one thing that would haunt Natalie forever. Visiting her friend with her newborn son Katherine realizes that something is not quite right and decides to check on one specific fact. This fact would remain secret for 35 years.

As the story flashes back to 1941 and how Sara and our other main character Judy met we learn about their weekly Mahjong games, their instant friendship, their schooling and what led to choosing their careers and marriages. But, throughout this novel we meet many others that impacted their lives like Su Ling and her grandmother An Lei who was the one who taught these girls the game of Mahjong and many other Chinese customs. A friendship that bonded these three for what they thought would be a lifetime ended when An Lei and Su Ling moved away. Revisiting their friendship and reminding the reader of how close they were when An Lei presents them with her Mahjong set and several pictures made by Su Ling as a reminder of her love for both Judy and Sara. Friendships temporarily Scattered to the wind hoping they will blow back before the final storm ignites.

Throughout the later portion of the novel the author brings into focus the story of Judy and Tony and what might have been. Brilliantly intertwining their lives and the lives of a family from the Ukraine adds the history of this country the devastation caused by the nuclear blast that killed so many and brings to light the relationship of one young Ukrainian farm girl named Irina and her love for a man named Josef. As the link between the families is created and the chain of events revealed an episode on Unsolved Mysteries would do more than just ignite the interest of the public. Judy Levine Singer and Katherine Heller would soon become aware of each other and the link would be Irina. Why and what they learn will only be revealed when you read this novel for yourself and learn the hidden truths that have been scattered for so long and are not being brought to light.

Lifelong friendships are precious and rare. Diamonds might yield a lot of money when purchased but true friends are more valuable than the most expensive and perfect five-carat stone. Mahjong. Do you here the sound of the tiles clattering as the women call out one bam, two crack or flower? Clattering Sparrows will bring back many memories to readers when you learn more about Sara Miller and Judy Levine and their weekly Mahjong game.