Review of Ragamuffin
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Priya Sabat
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- Latest Review: Ragamuffin by Murray Bishoff
Review of Ragamuffin
[Following is a volunteer review of "Ragamuffin" by Murray Bishoff.]
The novel is a riveting and inspiring story set in the little southwest Missouri community of Bellesburg in the mid-1970s. The story revolves around Ellie Pichgus, a brave 13-year-old girl who flees from a criminal organization that is using her family for slavery on an undercover marijuana farm. After her mother dies in a gunfire, her father denies working for child trafficking. Ellie is smuggled into a distant family network and ends up in a foreign place where she must negotiate new relationships and problems.
Along the way, Ellie meets a variety of people—a retired civil engineer, a former schoolteacher, a caring classmate, a dubious police chief, a cautious small-town banker, and a struggling neighbor—and her bravery and spirit bring them all together for what ends up being a violent showdown with the criminal gang and a satisfying resolution in which Ellie plays a key role in taking down the criminal enterprise.
Ellie Pichgus is presented with depth and realism, portraying her transition from a scared youngster to a feisty and ambitious young lady. "Ragamuffin" is a wonderfully produced novel that digs deeply into the complexities of human relationships and communal dynamics.
Bishoff's expertise as a journalist is apparent in his regional flair and painstaking attention to detail. The depiction of life in a tiny town in southwest Missouri is realistic and lively, capturing everything from neighbor relations to local government procedures. The story is realistically set against the legal and social backdrop of the 1970s, which includes the absence of elder care regulations and the characteristics of rural law enforcement. These elements are skillfully incorporated into the narrative.
In addition to being a source of entertainment, Bishoff's story illuminates social concerns like elder abuse, child labor, and community cohesion. The book is a celebration of the fortitude and resiliency of people who, despite enormous obstacles, can make positive changes in their communities and in their own lives.
The book has been expertly edited, showcasing Bishoff's skill as a storyteller and journalist. However, more general editing is required for a comfortable reading experience.
The story's title, "Ragamuffin," is appropriate since it sums up the path of a small child who, in spite of her difficult upbringing, grows up to be a strong and resourceful person. However, the background theme could be better provided by the cover photo. It should be set against the classic backdrop of the struggling mid-1970s. Because the book's attractiveness would be greatly increased by a well-designed cover that conveys the core of the narrative.
I give "Ragamuffin" a strong 4 out of 5 stars since it is an engaging and endearing book overall. This tale of resiliency, camaraderie, and the enduring human spirit is exquisitely written. I take away one star for the two aforementioned issues. People who enjoy cozy mysteries, young adult fiction, and stories about small-town life will find the novel especially appealing.
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Ragamuffin
View: on Bookshelves
The novel is a riveting and inspiring story set in the little southwest Missouri community of Bellesburg in the mid-1970s. The story revolves around Ellie Pichgus, a brave 13-year-old girl who flees from a criminal organization that is using her family for slavery on an undercover marijuana farm. After her mother dies in a gunfire, her father denies working for child trafficking. Ellie is smuggled into a distant family network and ends up in a foreign place where she must negotiate new relationships and problems.
Along the way, Ellie meets a variety of people—a retired civil engineer, a former schoolteacher, a caring classmate, a dubious police chief, a cautious small-town banker, and a struggling neighbor—and her bravery and spirit bring them all together for what ends up being a violent showdown with the criminal gang and a satisfying resolution in which Ellie plays a key role in taking down the criminal enterprise.
Ellie Pichgus is presented with depth and realism, portraying her transition from a scared youngster to a feisty and ambitious young lady. "Ragamuffin" is a wonderfully produced novel that digs deeply into the complexities of human relationships and communal dynamics.
Bishoff's expertise as a journalist is apparent in his regional flair and painstaking attention to detail. The depiction of life in a tiny town in southwest Missouri is realistic and lively, capturing everything from neighbor relations to local government procedures. The story is realistically set against the legal and social backdrop of the 1970s, which includes the absence of elder care regulations and the characteristics of rural law enforcement. These elements are skillfully incorporated into the narrative.
In addition to being a source of entertainment, Bishoff's story illuminates social concerns like elder abuse, child labor, and community cohesion. The book is a celebration of the fortitude and resiliency of people who, despite enormous obstacles, can make positive changes in their communities and in their own lives.
The book has been expertly edited, showcasing Bishoff's skill as a storyteller and journalist. However, more general editing is required for a comfortable reading experience.
The story's title, "Ragamuffin," is appropriate since it sums up the path of a small child who, in spite of her difficult upbringing, grows up to be a strong and resourceful person. However, the background theme could be better provided by the cover photo. It should be set against the classic backdrop of the struggling mid-1970s. Because the book's attractiveness would be greatly increased by a well-designed cover that conveys the core of the narrative.
I give "Ragamuffin" a strong 4 out of 5 stars since it is an engaging and endearing book overall. This tale of resiliency, camaraderie, and the enduring human spirit is exquisitely written. I take away one star for the two aforementioned issues. People who enjoy cozy mysteries, young adult fiction, and stories about small-town life will find the novel especially appealing.
******
Ragamuffin
View: on Bookshelves
Latest Review: Ragamuffin by Murray Bishoff
