Title: Lola
Author: Melissa Scrivner Love
First published March 21, 2017
Audiobook
Rating: 3.58
Overview
In Stephen Graham Jones’s latest novel, The Only Good Indians, readers are taken on a haunting journey that explores the repercussions of breaking from tradition and cultural identity. With the suspenseful writing style of Paul Tremblay and the powerful storytelling of Tommy Orange’s There There, this book will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Following the lives of four American Indian men who are haunted by a traumatic event from their youth, this novel seamlessly blends classic horror with sharp social commentary. As they are relentlessly pursued by a vengeful entity, the friends are forced to confront the culture and traditions they left behind.
Will they be able to outrun their past, or will it catch up to them in a violent and deadly way? Find out in The Only Good Indians, the latest must-read from the Jordan Peele of horror literature.
About the Author
Meet Melissa Scrivner Love, an acclaimed author who has been nominated for the prestigious Edgar Award for her novel Lola. With a police officer father and a court stenographer mother, Melissa’s childhood inspired her to pursue a master’s degree in English literature from New York University.
For over a decade, she has called Los Angeles home, where she has honed her craft as a writer, working on hit television shows such as Life, CSI: Miami, Person of Interest, and Fear the Walking Dead. Melissa is happily married and lives with her family in Los Angeles.
Editoral Review
Melissa Scrivner Love’s Lola is a gripping crime thriller that explores the complexities of the criminal underworld in South Central Los Angeles. Published on March 21, 2017, this novel tells the story of Lola Vasquez, a powerful leader of the Crenshaw Six gang who is determined to protect her family and territory at all costs.
Love’s writing style is raw, gritty, and unapologetic, perfectly conveying the raw and brutal nature of gang life while also exposing the underlying vulnerability and humanity of its characters. The themes of loyalty, family, and survival are expertly woven into the narrative alongside issues of race, gender, and power, making for a nuanced and thought-provoking read.
The plot centers around Lola’s struggle to maintain control of her gang as rival factions threaten to take over her territory. Meanwhile, she must navigate complex relationships with her abusive boyfriend, her estranged mother, and a detective who is determined to bring her down.
Love expertly builds tension throughout the novel, culminating in a thrilling and explosive finale that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. The characters in Lola are richly drawn and complex, each struggling to find their place in a world that seems determined to keep them down.
Lola herself is a fascinating and multi-layered protagonist, whose strong exterior masks a deep vulnerability that makes her all the more compelling. Love’s depiction of the gang members and their families is also incredibly humanizing, as she explores the reasons why people are compelled to turn to a life of crime.
One of the strengths of Lola is its relevance to current events, particularly with regards to the current national conversation around police brutality and systemic racism. Love’s portrayal of the police as corrupt and brutal gives voice to the experiences of many communities of color who have long been targeted by law enforcement.
However, there are a few weaknesses in this novel. The pacing can be slow at times, particularly in the first half of the book, and some of the characters feel underdeveloped.
Additionally, the ending may not be entirely satisfying for some readers, as it leaves many loose ends unresolved. Overall, Lola is a powerful and important work of fiction that is sure to appeal to fans of crime thrillers and literary fiction alike.
Love’s exquisite writing and expert storytelling make this a standout debut novel, one that is not to be missed. I give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
