The Book of Obeah, a novel by Sandra Carrington-Smith
Published by O Books
Reviewed for Review The Book

Obeah. The ancient religion from Africa. Obeah, brought to the New World and surrounding islands during the slave trade.  To my mind, this book vibrates with mysticism, pulsing blood, and the rhythm of drumming. The Book of Obeah becomes a character of the story, even while no one knows where it is or even if it exists.  But wait. This is the past, but the past will shortly catch up with the present and portents of the future. We, the readers, don't realize this yet.

There is a Preface which, though a Choctaw proclamation rather than African, is very meaningful in the basic principles of both religions, for want of a better word. It is worth reading this "Translation of Choctaw tribal shaman proclamation; Bayou-Lacombe, LA; Circa 1878" before you begin the story

The Prologue sent a chill down my spine, the terror was palpable whether based on reality or the mind of an unstable mother. What an attention-grabber! This is crucial information and sets the scene that will answer many questions both in the story's future, and the near future of the main character, Melody Bennett. She is about to have her world turned inside-out. Melody has never heard of Obeah. She was born and raised in North Carolina.

Melody's precious Grandmama has died, and left her a letter with some very strange requests. She has instructed her to go to a specific bayou of New Orleans and scatter her ashes there. But first, she must find a childhood friend of Grandmama’s Marie Devereux in the Louisiana bayou. A very daunting task, so many questions with no answers. Why New Orleans? Didn't they always live in North Carolina?. Melody had a very close bond with Grandmama and feels an urgency to carry out her last wishes.

Sandra Carrington-Smith weaves a magical tale of good and evil, spells and magic, protection and love. It is truly here where the story began many years before. The charactizations are remarkable, the wonders of New Orleans and the bayous beautifully descriptive. Even the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina plays a role in this scenario. After taking in the sights of the city Melody knows she must begin her quest. She meets many locals on the way who are only too willing to help her in her search for Marie. But a tarot reader has reacted badly in the midst of reading her cards and gives her a warning of extreme danger. Is it real? Melody is not sure what to think. She also encounters a malicious character who threatens her to give back what belongs to him. Melody has no idea what he is talking about.

Hiring a guide to take her into the bayous, she has another offers that leaves her wondering who to trust, and what in the world could she possibly have that everyone seems to want? Grandmama knew her granddaughter had abilities unknown to Melody yet, but she knew in making this request her instincts would be true. Melody learns she must trust and feels a connection with Old Paul, who takes her to meet Marie. Here she will learn some of the meaning of Obeah, but she still thinks of it as Voodoo and Hoodoo. Surprised to learn that Grandmama had lived in the bayous as a child, she was equally surprised that Marie was her best friend in those long ago days. Preparations by Marie begin in best Obeah fashion but with a sense of urgency; protection spells, the blessing of the ashes, briefing Melody on her part, and explaining the role of nature in the practice of Obeah, while Old Paul returns with many supplies for the ritual.

The author has done extensive study of Obeah, Voodoo, Hoodoo, Louisiana bayous, and the general feel of both bayou and city. She has brought all of it alive in this book. Mysteries surround them, danger is lurking, but where is it coming from? Why do so many people Melody meets and talks to make clandestine meetings and phone calls as soon as she leaves? Who are these people really? This is a process of learning, a process of believing, of feeling the power. The story builds up faster all through the novel. The creeping, living bayou and the old city and its people are all atmospheric. There are dangers all around, and some can not be clearly seen or recognized.

The talented Ms. Carrington-Smith brings all the loose ends, past and present, and binds them into a bewitching story, but also a classic story of greed. An exciting novel with many twists, this book will surely satisfy mystery fans and paranormal/mystical fans. The descriptive nature of the book brings us right into the heart of a wonderful old city and the people of the bayous. I thoroughly enjoyed it all the way through with no desire to take a break before finishing it. I will certainly be interested in reading another novel by this author.

Reviewed on 05/08/2011 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Betty Gelean

From the moment Sandra Carrington-Smith begins our journey with Melody Bennet into the Bayous of New Orleans, Louisiana armed with a broken heart and her grandmother’s ashes, The Book of Obeah will have you transfixed on the powerful, dynamically written story you will be pleased you picked up.

This is a true page-turner in every sense of the word, as you instantly connect to Melody and her journey every step of the way – I literally could not put The Book of Obeah Down!

Well though out plot lines intertwine seamlessly to produce a very unique story, that underneath the surface becomes quite informative and thought provoking. The Book of Obeah will leave you with a new perspective regarding spiritual traditions unlike those you might be familiar with, and does so in a very raw, organic manner. Sandra Carrington-Smith successfully drives home the overwhelming theme that the overall vision of all paths to spirituality, no matter which one chooses to follow, in the end are the same. Grasping this understanding assists in understanding Voodoo as a mixing of various spiritual traditions and names, something that Carrington-Smith thoughtfully and eloquently provides for the reader. It is not often one can find a book that can touch them emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually – the journey through this book is one definitely worth taking!

The Book of Obeah is a pleasure to read for anyone, whether they have a familiarity with Afro-Caribbean religions, or will be exposed to this topic in prose for the first time. Intertwined into the text so seamlessly are tidbits of information that allow you to learn about the background with Melody as she tries to sort out the new life she has been thrust into.

The Book of Obeah transcends any expectation you could place on it, and will leave you waiting for Carrington-Smith’s next unique novel! 

Reviewed on 04/01/2011 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Adela Ghadimi

Last Friday night I came home from work and found The Book of Obeah by Sandra Carrington-Smith in my mailbox. I had selected this book from Review the Book based on the out of the ordinary synopsis. I decided to pick the book up after supper and read a little before bedtime; at least that was the plan. This book captured me from the start and would not let me go. I kept looking for a stopping point, a place I could relax and take a breath, set it down and go to sleep, but there was none. I was physically attached to the characters and the prose and I could not stop until it was over, at 4:30 am. The last time a book took hold of me this way was a long time ago. And I have delayed writing this review because I have not wanted to scrutinize why this story touched me the way it did. But, review it I must.
Melody Bennet’s beloved Grandmama Giselle dies and leaves her one last request. She is to take her grandmother’s ashes to New Orleans, have them blessed by a Voodoo Priestess and spread them on Bear Bayou.  Melody has lived her entire life in North Carolina with no awareness of her family history on the Bayou, the culture or practice of Voodoo or of any living relatives on the Bayou. What she finds is more than she bargained for and changes everything in her life forever.
This book is steeped in mystery, spirituality, lessons, love, loss and traditions. It makes you question your assessment of Voodoo and other religions and I kept wondering how much was fact and how much was fiction. It has led me on a quest for more information. And, I’ve had a wonderful conversation with the author herself who I have found open and delightful to talk to. I have already questioned her about more books to come and as I had guessed, this is the first book in a series so look for more great reading to come.
I see that I still have not told you why this book affected me in such a way, and this I cannot answer. You must read it for yourself, and see if it reaches up for you. But beware; you may want to wait till Saturday morning to start it!

Reviewed on 04/18/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Rebecca Cox