Dark Blood
A Romany Story
William Lee (author)
Minerva Press 1999
ISBN: 0-75410-703-5
118 pages, paperback, 8”x5.75”
Available only direct from the author
Price: 8 GBP
Dark Blood is the story of Ethan Bray, a Romany boy orphaned in World War II, growing up with Gohja folks. Into his settled farming life in post-war Kent comes May, the daughter of the Romany-Gypsy Tucker Beaney; but Ethan must face great dangers and personal conflict in order to win her hand in marriage.
It took me just a little over a day to read this book from cover to cover, not wanting to put it down.
I have laughed and I have cried, and I have fumed with anger at the injustices done to the characters just for being Romany, while reading this book; emotions aroused by the beautiful telling of this story.
Dark Blood is a fast moving story that will grip the reader nigh from the first page and will not let go till the last word.
This is how a story should be told, the story of the Romany, telling parts of our Culture without disclosing too much.
I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone. You will not be disappointed and Dark Blood is equally suited for adults and young people alike.
Go and buy the book and support a Romany author who has used his own money to self-publish his books through a so-called “vanity publisher” so that all can enjoy those stories. But having done the publishing by means of a “vanity publisher” it was sure no vanity on Kako Bill's part. We must all thank him for having done so.
Yes, I did say books in the last paragraph. There is indeed a sequel out to Dark Blood, thank the Duvel.
To order this book send a cheque of £8 (in the UK) (Overseas please enquire cost and rates for shipping from the author) to:
Romanybooks@aol.co.uk
Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro), January 2008
