The Secret of Rose-Anne Riley

Dallal portrays each of the novel’s characters with deep understanding and sympathy as they go through the difficult situation arising from Alexia’s condition, a condition that is not uncommon in many families. Spanning four generations, this soul-stirring novel is fittingly dedicated by its author ‘to all victims of rape and their families, who inspired it.’

I enjoyed reading this novel — a tragic, sensitively-conceived story about a young woman’s struggle for meaning and equilibrium upon learning her beloved grandmother’s dark secret. Alexia’s capaciousness of mind and indomitability are as compelling as she is at times enigmatic. Alexia’s family, too, is portrayed in moving and deeply familiar ways as they struggle to help each other face a most difficult truth. All elements come together nicely to achieve a dramatic conclusion; few eyes will be dry upon finishing this book.

Shaw Dallal’s stirring novel centers on several tragic events relating to rape and its subsequent consequences on a wide set of characters who engage in a series of dialogues. The issues are profound, the dialogues are pointed and effective and the characters are creditable. The story could in fact be suitable for a movie.

The Secret of Rose-Anne Riley is an altogether different type of novel, but like its predecessor, one that will appeal to a wide spectrum of interests. … The most intriguing and unusual feature of this story is the degree to which the memories and tragic personal history of a beloved grandmother, come to haunt -perhaps possess would be a better word-the consciousness of her grand-daughter Alexia. … The story of Alexia’s depression will appeal to teenagers and their parents, especially at a time when teen-age suicides have reached epidemic proportions in many communities world-wide. … I strongly recommend this novel to readers of all ages. The author deals with a number of highly controversial contemporary problems in a decorous and tactful narrative. Problems such as rape, out-of-wedlock pregnancy, depression, suicide, inter-generational relationships, clerical sex abuse, and even the current popular interest in adopted or artificially-inseminated children searching forlornly for some contact with their biological parent or parents. Though it contains explosive material, the story is told with great restraint and good taste, and will I think attract an immediate and very receptive audience from every age-bracket. I can see it becoming an instant best-seller.