A timely and well-told tale, this is the latest Oprah pick, as well as the selection for September for the U City Book Group. Jende Jonga is a Cameroonian immigrant to New York who lands a job as chauffeur to a high-level executive at Lehman Brothers in 2007. He and his wife and son feel that they may finally be on the path to security when the economy collapses and their entwined relationships with Jende's employer and his family threaten their situation. Although the plot of the novel holds few surprises, and the wealthy Edwards family who employ the Jongas are superficially drawn, I loved the story of Jende and his family. Believable characters and a balanced and humane view of the immigrant experience make this a worthwhile read, and the audio is a pleasure.
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