Title: The Calling of Rose
Author: Nicey Hamilton
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 9781669839323
Pages: 69
Genre: Supernatural
Reviewed by: Barbara Bamberger Scott
Pacific Book Review
Writer Nicey Hamilton creates a story of a woman’s inner torment as she battles unknown demons that seem to speak to her from within.
Amber is a schoolteacher in the Bahamas who has dutifully reported to authorities the serious problems she observes within the institution where she works. This invokes the scrutiny of government officials who, to avoid possible scandal, have her ousted from the school, inciting a loud mob shouting against her, and softer voices praising her courage. The result is a dramatic trauma that will have Amber, an intelligent mother of
two children, doubting her sanity. William, the father of her children, agrees to marry
her, which will make Amber feel much happier and quell some of the negative rumors about her. But the voices within will not be silenced. And she has physical challenges as well, unable to stand noises from phones and TV, and developing a menstrual type bleeding that goes on for months, causing weight loss and further fears.
Staying at home on sick leave, Amber begins to demonstrate her increasing mental anguish by burning anything in the house that bothers her, that “talks” to her – including a carpet and some wooden furniture. Her doctors prescribe various pills that help, but only very slowly, while the voices proclaim her to be a witch whose name is Rose and begin to convince her she is being plagued by demons of obeah, a form of spiritual ritualism of African origin that still haunts island culture. Amber’s path to recovery remains hidden for many months but will gradually be revealed.
Hamilton has constructed Amber’s agonizing portrait with vivid scenarios which include her children’s confusion about their mother’s condition and her husband’s reactions that range from support and comfort for his wife, to infidelity. The story is told entirely from Amber’s viewpoint, so the reader will hear the voices that torment her and watch her slowly deteriorating physically and psychologically, battling unseen evil spirits and apparently incurable bodily ailments. Hamilton, who has written a previous novel focused on Amber’s younger years, seems poised to expand her audience with this harrowing but ultimately triumphant tapestry of a woman’s courage in the face of seemingly insuperable challenges.
