The Bingo Queens of Paradise

There are certain books we read which strike a chord in our hearts and fill our eyes with tears. And when we finish these books, we find ourselves wishing we could go back and read them again for the first time. The Bingo Queens of Paradise by June Park is one of a handful of books which did this to me and I am so glad I found this author.In her first novel, June Park, has written a keeper in the tradition of Billie Letts' books Where the Heart Is and The Honk and Holler Opening Soon. Like these books, The Bingo Queens of Paradise introduces the reader to memorable characters who remain part of our lives long after we finish the book.Paradise is a small town in Oklahoma where trailers are found almost everywhere. The nightly activity in this town is a good game of Bingo where an interesting group of women who name themselves the Bingo Queens assemble. Among the women is Momma Moon, mother to Darla and Rhonda. These two sisters have grown up taking care of each other while their mother pays more attention to her male customers and Bingo games. While Darla works in Paradise, she dreams about moving to New York City to design dresses. Her younger sister, Rhonda, already the mother of two children, is married for the second time to an abusive husband she can't seem to leave.The one man the two sisters have relied on for most of their lives is a black man, Elijah, who is the only person who is consistently there for them. It is Elijah who more than anybody encourages Darla to put Pardise behind her, and move on with her life in New York where she can pursue her dream. As Darla finally plans to leave events occur which will not only test her but may force her to face a great loss and perhaps alter her dreams.This book is not always easy to read. There are scenes which are quite sad particularly when the reader learns all that Darla and Rhonda had to endure as they grew up. I found that at times Momma Moon was so cruel, uncaring and selfish, I had all but to do to compose myself and continue reading. For me it was as if these were real women living in a small town nearby and I had a glimpse into their lives. But I did continue reading as I knew I would and now consider this title one of my top ten reads for 2001. I did wonder at the end if Darla would ever leave Paraidse and found tears on my face when I closed the book and wished her a godspeed on her continuing journey. I do hope that you enjoy this book as much as I did. As for me, I've already reread this book twice and am eagerly waiting for this authors next book. For me, this title can't be published fast enough.

When I started this book, it wasn't something that I would have picked for myself (I read it for a book club). What a surpise this book was! A pleasant surprise. It starts out rather funny, and then you find yourself in the lives of these lovely, real characters. I found this book funny, caring and sad all at the same time. I cared about Darla and all her life pressures (some she gave herself), and Rhonda and hoping she would find a way to stand up for herself and her children. I kept reading to find how Granny got to be the way she was and why Elijah came with this poor family where ever they went.This story made me care about every character, the quirky ones, the means ones and the loveable one. I highly recommend this book.

Last year I started several books and set them aside---until I started reading The Bingo Queens of Paradise. Then I bingoed big time! This book has everything I love in a novel -- believable characters I can identify with, characters who face and deal with problems in life as I try to do, and a story so real I feel like I'm living it. After finishing the book, the wisdom and gentleness of Elijah, the strength of Darla and the wit of granny has remained a part of me. And I plan to read The Bingo Queens of Paradise again, and again and again....

"The Bingo Queens of Paradise" kept me up all night! I was totally riveted to the story, I laughed, I wept bitterly and I cheered heartily for Darla! This is a smart, lyrical and totally modern coming of age story...the best to occupy my reading list in a long time. I wait anxiously for June Park's next work. BRAVO!

This book is a cure for all that ails you. Take one dose of reality, one-half dose of dysfunctional families, add a touch of love and the result is a prescription for happiness. Settle down with a few Moon Pies and enter a world where the characters are real, the setting is memorable, and the story is one that will touch the heart. It's not a book to read just once....you will want to know Darla and meet her family. It's a book that has a piece of all of us within its tale. Darla wants to leave Paradise, but I was happy to visit it, if only for a little while. The author is a gem...just like her book.