Doctor Margaret's Sea Chest... great debut novel!

Doctor Margaret's Sea Chest
By Waheed Rabbani
Publisher: YouWriteOn.com
Published: 2008
IBSN: 9781849231770
417 pgs.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the story of Doctor Margaret’s Sea Chest written by Waheed Rabbani. This book is a debut novel and the first in his trilogy. Mr. Rabbani’s book keeps you engaged from beginning to end as he allows you to journey back and forth between the mid-1800’s and 1960's beginning in Delhi, India and travelling through other parts of the world. The story discusses the lives of Dr. Margaret Wallace and Dr. Wallidad Sharif. Dr. Wallace wanted to be a doctor since she was a young girl when she first heard the minister tell the story of doctor’s helping sick children in India and receiving her first doctor’s kit from her aunt and uncle. Her mother mocked her occupational desires. I applaud her for standing strong against those who felt during that time a woman shouldn’t be a doctor, especially her mother.

Mr. Rabbani is a talented storyteller guiding us on a journey with a first person account of the history of the Indian Rebellion and the role Dr. Margaret Wallace, an American born doctor from New Jersey, played in both the rebellion and Dr. Sharif’s family history. It connects these two doctors although they never met in the present.

American doctor, Dr. Sharif, is in Delhi on assignment in the 60’s and at the end of his contractual term, he is asked to return an abandoned sea chest belonging to Dr. Wallace back to her family. The chest is 100 years old, in good condition, and hasn’t been opened since it was left in a closet at a hospital in Delhi. No one knows the contents as they feel it is disrespectful to open it prior to it being passed on to Dr. Wallace’s surviving family members allowing them to search the contents. The chest peaks the interest of Russian agents forcing Dr. Sharif to participate in some trickery to keep the chest safe resulting in a violent altercation with the Russian agents. Luckily, the unopened chest is shipped to Dr. Sharif’s home safely.

Dr. Sharif tracks her descendants back to Canada and accompanied by his wife, he returns the unopened chest to Dr. Wallace’s family. Upon entering the home, Dr. Sharif realizes a picture in the home happens to be the woman that has been visiting him in his nightmares—Dr. Margaret Wallace. Once the chest is opened, it unmasks hidden treasures, artifacts, and Dr. Wallace’s diaries. The stories in the diary connect Dr. Wallace and Dr. Sharif through ancestry and her life spent in India.

Mr. Rabbani paints a picturesque journey through various places during different moments in history all the while the stories remain poignantly vivid. I could see the clothing, smell the spices, see Dr. Wallace’s well-kept chest, and visualize each character as I eagerly turned each page. This book is alive with-- mystery, suspense, conflict and love—along with a piece of history I never learned about in school, splashed throughout. I recommend this book and anxiously await the next book in the trilogy.

Look out for Minister Steve... on his way to a gospel world near you!

My long time friend Steven is entering into the gospel music industry and I am hoping to work on some projects with him. I have written some songs that he is interested in using. Steven, Minister Steve, is extremely talented and hails from Newark, NJ. He is one of the few people in this world that I have personally seen walk in the completeness of God's grace. By this I mean, his walk, demeanor and spirit exudes the spirit of Christ. He exemplifies what a child of God should be as he strolls along with an insane amount of blind faith. I am excited about this new venture for me and am proud of myself for finally working toward my dreams. I thank Steven for allowing me to a part of what he is getting ready to do.

I am working on my projects and can't wait until they are transformed into books. I am currently working on song lyrics, a young adult fiction novel, and some picture books, while my mind continues to think of other projects to produce. Step by step I will get it done...

My book reviews are on the way. I actually have a job too which seems to get in the way of my progress sometimes! But... it pays the bills so I am not really mad at it. Eventually my books will--speaking it into existence...

Upcoming Street Lit reviews...

Up next after the trilogy review I will be reviewing two authors that I enjoyed very much. Stay tuned until I review Kissed By The Devil I and II by Dashawn Taylor and Scorned Hearts by my future editor Leila Jefferson...

Coming soon my next review.... Doctor Margaret's Sea Chest...

Currently reading, Doctor Magaret's Sea Chest by Waheed Rabbani. I am enjoying the book especially since it is about a different culture. It is Book One of a trilogy of historical fiction set during India's struggle for freedom. It is quite interesting and not something I would generally read. I have learned to think outside the box and read books in various genres. Since I started doing book reviews I have read books that I never probably would have bought and they were really good. I am glad that I ventured away from my mystery books and opened my eyes to the amazing stories that our on the bookshelves. I hope to be finished with the book this weekend and will post my review soon after. Be well!!

Reviews on the way...

I set a personal goal of reading as many as five books per month. Well, I may fall a little short of that goal this month but have read three books thus far. I have a week to at least finish the fourth one that I am currently reading. Next month I will definitely reach my goal unless of course, life manages to get in the way.

I have three review books on the way to my house and am quite excited. I had no idea how important a review is to the success of a book and I enjoy writing them. I often wonder why some people are so rude when they write a review. There is a way to make suggestions to an author without being offensive. Kindness goes along way and it helps to give criticisms in a way people can grow. I personally stop listening when people offer criticism in a rude manner. It is not helpful! Besides, we all have different interests and just because one person doesn't like it doesn't mean that someone else won't. Be mindful.

I didn't write yesterday. I need to do some revisions so that I can send my work to an editor. I am looking forward to seeing my dreams through! So, I have to write a few hours each day. Sounds like another goal to me! I can't wait to get to the finished product! I hope that when my books are done that reviewers will be helpful to the success of my book.