Title: The Color of Pain
Author: Melisa E. Arnold
Publisher: The Reading Glass Books
ISBN: 979-8894791166
Pages: 320
Genre: Fiction / Romance
Reviewer: Beth Adam
Pacific Book Review
The Color of Pain by author Melisa E. Arnold is a deeply emotionally written novel which has so many interwoven elements blending seamlessly into an unforgettable story. It has a truth and cultural depth in the narrative demonstrating a true gift of storytelling. The skillful use of colloquial prose brings a vivid immersion in the moments along with the cultural nuances of Caribbean life with expressions, names and details revealing authenticity. This writing is a literary journey which feels both educational and deeply personal, revealing a lifestyle which may be unfamiliar to many.
At the heart of the story is Alex and his mother, Cathlean. Alex appears to be an ordinary boy growing up in Belize, however, as the story unfolds, readers begin to realize a far more complex personality. Cathlean is an ambitious woman with determination and tenacity to create a home and a better future for her and her son, but life takes unexpected turns. She becomes involved with John, a British soldier and their relationship develops quickly as the three of them relocate from Belize to England. This change is a major subject to the complexity of the characters and gives Alex challenges in many ways. This shift in the setting becomes a powerful part of the narrative contrasting life in Belize with life in England.
Arnold masterfully adds a host of other characters which provide a dimension of interactions ideally suited, such as Alex’s romance with Sherr, each being vividly drawn and emotionally authentic, provoking frustration and helps create tension and realism bringing the narrative into a dynamic layering.
The Color of Pain is a compelling narrative, providing an empathic story with a unique insight into complicated family relationships. It is a novel which will leave a long-lasting impression and invites readers to think more deeply about the experiences which shape us through our lives. In The Color of Pain, Melisa E. Arnold delivers a deeply moving story of family, ambition, and the emotional scars left behind by the pursuit of status. This is a heartfelt story about the cost of dreams, and the quiet strength it takes to survive them.
