The Alchemy of Noise

I've been a fan of Lorraine Devon Wilke's ever since I read After The Sucker Punch. This novel impressed me even more. In The Alchemy of Noise, the author tackles the issue of race in America. Two people–one black, the other white–fall in love, a love that is beautifully and sensitively portrayed. It's also honestly depicted. How work, family and society's views affect their interracial relationship is a difficult subject and yet Wilke does a masterful job in showing us what's at stake.

How various people react to Sidonie and Chris's relationship is what powers this story. To write about a subject matter that can be so divisive takes courage and exceptional skill. The author made me feel a little of what it's like to be black in America and that was horrifying. A highly recommended read, both for the love story and for understanding the impact of racism on innocent lives.