Southland combines skillful writing and an interesting plot. It is the kind of story that keeps you reading late into the night. I was caught up in mystery of the story its protagonists were trying to solve alongside me.
Mysterious Secrets
Revoyr, author of the respected The Necessary Hunger, does not disappoint with her sophomore novel. Japanese-American Lesbian lawyer, Jackie Ishida sets out to uncover the secrets of her grandfather’s past when, after his death, she discovers a mysterious will amongst his papers. Who is this person her grandfather willed his store to?
Rich and Vibrant Family History
Although the store is no longer in the family, it was part of a rich and vibrant multi-cultural Los Angeles of the 1930s to 1960s. From Japanese internment camps to the Watts riots, to modern day segregated Los Angeles, this novel reaches back and forth through time as Jackie discovers the truth of her grandfather’s life.
Self-Discovery
In the process, she discovers a part of herself she didn’t know was missing until she went looking for it. Part mystery, part historical fiction, Southland is one of those books that stays with you long after you turn the last page. Not your typical lesbian mystery, Southland is a fine novel whose writing and storyline will appeal beyond a lesbian audience.
