Title: Ellwood’s Odyssey
Authors: Marshall Garvey & J. D. Weaver
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-6698-0155-9
Pages: 258
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reviewed by: Michaela Gordoni

Read Book Review

Ellwood’s Odyssey by Marshall Garvey & J. D. Weaver, is a story of historical fiction expanding across two generations. Ellwood James Washington, 23, is a young African American sergeant with a passion for baseball who is on active duty in South Korea in 1951. His commanding officers choose him to take part in a bold operation to rescue a young female spy. Yu Bong-Chang has grown up under military oppression and has been captured by General Gwang, the very man that brutally killed her whole family. Not only her birth parents but eventually both of her foster parents, too. Never having forgotten about young Yu, General Gwang has come back for her. The story that unfolds after Ellwood’s attempt to rescue her is heartwarming and surprising, yet also suspenseful, tragic, and painful. This is a thoughtfully written book centered around the Korean War, family, and African American men and their struggles with racism in both America and South Korea.

The book has a complex storyline, packed with many facets, but the book itself is very brief. I think if the authors had taken the time to draw out the story more (especially the important and sentimental moments) and add detail, then the story and the writing would have been a little better. It would have evoked more pathos and connection from readers and would have made it a more immersive experience altogether. I was also confused by a few parts that seemed a bit irrelevant. One character went to a ball in another country, for example. It seemed very extravagant and not that advantageous given the context. I am not sure what the significance of that character’s experience was.

But overall, this is a fine book. From reading this book I was able to learn more about what it might be like to be a black soldier during the Korean war. My favorite aspect of Ellwood’s Odyssey was the inclusion of Yu Bong-Chang and her heartbreaking backstory; I thought it was told very imaginatively. This book is a good read for historical fiction fans, those with an interest in learning about racism against African Americans and Asians, or those with an interest in the Korean war. This story has everything—a damsel in distress, action, romance, suspense, terror, and intrigue and I think the plot would make for a thrilling movie.