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Reviewed by Suzanne Cowles for Readers' Favorite
The Honeyeater by Yolanda A. Reid is a complex story woven around two Panamanian families, the Muñozes and Herreras, who do not get along. The first third of the book introduces Eulalia and the generational history of her extended family, the Muñozes. Her parents’ marriage is a prime example of what she has to look forward to in a Spanish culture where women are expected to serve and men are allowed infidelity. Eulalia’s father makes her witness his own philandering with Lupita, and keep it secret. Eulalia is both naïve about the ways of men and headstrong at the same time. Mixed in with detailed stories of her extended family are cultural beliefs in both religion and duty. In addition, the price of passion is always heartache, because ‘All men cheat.’ Eulalia meets her destiny at college in Fabio, a magnetic charmer with political ambitions. Problem is, he is a Herrera, but that does not stop the young couple from marrying. Though the families disapprove of their forbidden love, Eulalia thinks everything will work out just fine. Only it does not, and she endures the worst kind of betrayal.
Yolanda A. Reid in The Honeyeater depicts a well-researched world of Latin culture with authentic foods, fashion, furnishings and art in her descriptions of a patriarchal society. The book cover has a beautiful painting of a woman holding a white bird and the globe in her hands by artist Claudia Olivos. Interspersed throughout is rich Spanish character dialogue that lends to the diverse feeling of family drama, dreams, legends and poetry. One can only feel inspired by Eulalia’s transformation from young girl to woman as she grows in empowerment.
