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Concrete Rose
Lankenua is a teenage girl who was brought to the United States by her parents along with the boy that she was betrothed to marry. The boy's parents were to give her parents two million dollars upon them marrying, so that Lankenua's parents could expand her mother's business. However, when Lankenua becomes interested in another young man that she meets at her school, and while working in the shop, her whole world flips upside down. Now Lankenua has some important decisions to make. Will she follow through with tradition and marry the man she is betrothed to marry or will she adapt to her new life in the United States and push the principles and values of her homeland aside?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 30, 2017
Wonderful!!!
I couldn't put the book down since I started reading it. It was just that good. It was different and I loved it. I was mad that she was engaged to be married, but that is their culture. I was happy that she was able to have friends. Her fiance was a total controlling jerk. I am glad that she meet someone even though she couldn't be with him. I felt sorry for her because of what she went through. I am glad a gave this book a chance.
#DarnishaPromotedThis#
I couldn't put the book down since I started reading it. It was just that good. It was different and I loved it. I was mad that she was engaged to be married, but that is their culture. I was happy that she was able to have friends. Her fiance was a total controlling jerk. I am glad that she meet someone even though she couldn't be with him. I felt sorry for her because of what she went through. I am glad a gave this book a chance.
#DarnishaPromotedThis#
October 17, 2021
Concrete Rose, the title, is the name of the main character’s family business, which crafts beautiful items from concrete, a strong and durable material. It may also be a metaphor for the main character’s beauty and strength. She’s, a teenage African girl named Lanakenua Tanei who, for brevity’s sake let’s call “Lan.”
The plot involves African traditions, shock of emigrating from Kenya to the USA, adjusting to differences, whether or not still to abide by the rules of a former life in Africa. The book is about the conflict between cultural norms of love from Lan’s point of view before and after she emigrates with her affluent family to the USA. Many of the book’s short, episodic chapters also present points of view of supporting characters, family, schoolmates friends, and not so friendlies as well.
As the story starts, Lan comes across as bright, innocent, naïve, satisfied with status quo, happy with the marital arrangement made by her parents for her to marry Mejooli (call him “M”), an African boy, after which Lan’s parents are to receive $2M from M’s parents. Lan’s outlook changes when she enrolls in an American high school where the focus turns to a new love interest named Donovan, teenage angst, friends, lovers, social conflicts, love and sex, and other teenage stuff. In due course, Lan falls for Donovan. Accepting him fully would mean dumping M and breaking the old covenant.
Comes decision time: will she marry M or go for the new guy and disavow her parents and culture? Does love trump traditional obligations? Will she or won’t she?
The plot involves African traditions, shock of emigrating from Kenya to the USA, adjusting to differences, whether or not still to abide by the rules of a former life in Africa. The book is about the conflict between cultural norms of love from Lan’s point of view before and after she emigrates with her affluent family to the USA. Many of the book’s short, episodic chapters also present points of view of supporting characters, family, schoolmates friends, and not so friendlies as well.
As the story starts, Lan comes across as bright, innocent, naïve, satisfied with status quo, happy with the marital arrangement made by her parents for her to marry Mejooli (call him “M”), an African boy, after which Lan’s parents are to receive $2M from M’s parents. Lan’s outlook changes when she enrolls in an American high school where the focus turns to a new love interest named Donovan, teenage angst, friends, lovers, social conflicts, love and sex, and other teenage stuff. In due course, Lan falls for Donovan. Accepting him fully would mean dumping M and breaking the old covenant.
Comes decision time: will she marry M or go for the new guy and disavow her parents and culture? Does love trump traditional obligations? Will she or won’t she?
December 18, 2021
I love Donovan he's such a sweetheart ❤ I love this book it made wish I was back in highschool again I was happy he got the girl he wanted was willing to put his life on the line for her I also felt bad for Kenya she had lost so much and her family didn't have to treat her as if she was no longer apart of their family I learned something new about African American cultures Mejooli needs to stop thinking he can control every girl he meets London needs to calm down in the sex department he was truly lucky to friends like Donovan in his life this book was a real thrill seeker and action
I would recommend this book its like taking a vacation to Africa and to learn what true love is. I think this book is a great read for families and teenagers.
I would recommend this book its like taking a vacation to Africa and to learn what true love is. I think this book is a great read for families and teenagers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews