Saturday, February 11, 2012

Being Lara-Lola Jaye

Being Lara


Lola Jaye

Morrow, Mar 13 2012, $14.99

ISBN: 9780062069344



In fifth grade in Essex, England, jealous Connie Jones, who wants her Mum to be a pop star like the Little Girl’s Mum was, nastily informs the Little Girl she was an alien. Another classmate Ryan insists the Little Girl’s parents found her in the streets. The Little Girl Lara Reid believes them as she was dark skinned with kinky curls while her parents were much lighter skinned. Only eight years old, she learned the true meaning of adopted is Lara as her Mum kindly says they are a unique family.



Over two decades later, just before her next birthday, Tyler the American tells Lara he loves her, but she cuts him off before he says anything else as she feels a mental urge to run away from him. Feeling happy but incomplete, Lara celebrates her thirtieth birthday with her family and friends. As she blows out the candles, Lara notices a stranger, who should not be there, among those attending her party. Yomi Komolafe from Nigeria has come with a purpose to England to meet Lara.



This is a fascinating look at identity as Lara has wondered since she was the Little Girl who she is. Her sense of incompleteness makes her feel guilty because her parents love and adore her, but something feels missing; that element keeps her running from loving relationships. Although the skipping around between various years is difficult to follow, fans will appreciate this in depth character study of an adult still inside the alien Little Girl.



Harriet Klausner





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