Book cover of The Dark Backward

Book description

William Darnell thought he had seen every kind of human conflict, every type of human tragedy, seen them in all their immense variety: murder done from envy, murder done for revenge, murder done for money, murder done for love, murder done after careful planning, murder done in a moment’s rage.…

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Dark Backward as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I’m an older reader, and I related to the crusty attorney character, William Darnell.

I also admired the humanizing of an unexpected victim, a primitive boy who is wrongly accused by arrogant US government officials.

Author Buffa has chosen a cultural taboo, rape and incest, and put it into an unexpected light. His modest hero is a senior San Francisco defense attorney, William Darnell. No longer young, Darnell is also in love, and his deep feelings for Dr. Summer Blaine—who is nearly his age—are presented with pure and gentle affection.

I admire the author for questioning assumptions and pushing back…

From Donald's list on modest heroes.

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These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas,

A moving story of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of hope in the face of darkness.

German pianist Hedda Schlagel's world collapsed when her fiancé, Fritz, vanished after being sent to an enemy alien camp in the United States during the Great War. Fifteen years later, in 1932, Hedda…

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