Dark Shades (Me Before Them) - Softcover

Chouteu-Chando, Janvier

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1520567219 ISBN 13: 9781520567211

Publisher: Independently published, 2017

Synopsis

In this tumultuous story of rugged characters who retain their zest for life, the postulation that ideas are like fire holds true, as events prove that ideas can burn the world as well as illuminate it.

So, when old man Joe battles his descendants in their conflicting journeys through life, he does so in a manner that reveals man's innate goodness. However, by doing so, he is not advocating for humanity alone. 

In a world where it is increasingly relevant for the body to be in harmony with the mind, spirit, and soul, "Dark Shades" provides insights into the nature of a serene society and functional families where the different groups are in harmony with one another. 
"Dark Shades" is the first book of the collection of short stories entitled "Me Before Them" and precedes "The Grandmother's Truth"

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

The trip to the convent grounds was supposed to be a long and grueling fifteen-hour drive through lush and breath-taking forests, imposing mountains and a vast expanse of grassland. However, my father made a detour that day, turning it into a three-day journey. My parents must have decided beforehand that it would be a bright idea to visit the home of my father's maternal uncle, which is a nine-hour drive away from the convent, but they only let me know about it just before we veered off the highway. 

Even though the first leg of the drive was short and tiring, it gave me the opportunity to ponder my fate and come to terms with some of the challenges awaiting me.

My granduncle's place is a beautiful palatial residence of some sort―big enough to house a battalion or two and comfortable enough to host real figures. It is about twenty miles from downtown St. Peters, which makes it more than accommodating for fresh-blooded fellows with a deep love for city life. My father even admitted afterwards that its comfortable location on the outskirts of St. Peters made most people think it falls within the municipal boundaries of the town. 

Uncle Joe, as everyone in the older generations of the family fondly called my paternal granduncle, is an amicable person. In fact, he cuts the figure of a rugged character in a ranch anywhere in the USA, Brazil, Argentina, Australia or South Africa. That does not mean he should be judged entirely by his outward appearance. I say so because despite his boisterous nature, sweeping character, piercing gaze and a gait that could be called a swagger, Granduncle Joe is a warm person inside. He is one of those rare souls who are apt to leave an indelible impression on you long after you have met them. 

Granduncle Joe received us in a raucous manner that evening. Then he commissioned one of his female workers to get five rooms ready for us and made her promise to have dinner on the table for our yearning stomachs within an hour and a half or two. 

My anticipation of the meal was high. In fact, I was very famished. Even the snacks and drinks provided by the servant could not dispel my desire for a heavy meal. However, I carried on thereafter like someone not anxious about the dinner. 

By delighting us with his inquiries, stories and jokes in an effusive manner, Granduncle Joe helped take my mind off food most of the time. In fact, he acted like a true host anxious to give his guests a good time.

My granduncle spent the next hour showing us around the ranch before he led us back to the house, an experience I found to be far more interesting, being the indoor person I was. He lived alone in the main house, while some of his workers occupied the chalet behind. Still, the whole place lacked the eeriness or desolateness that seems to be prevalent in many farmhouses around the country. 

 His house, which must have been built for a large family of half a dozen to ten children or even more, has a welcoming feel all around it. I found out that all his five children grew up appreciating the place, even though they now live in neighboring cities, which though not far away, still give them enough distance to live their lives without their father snorting around all the time. I say snorting around because Granduncle Joe is over-protective and thinks it is his responsibility to see to it that all the descendants of his parents make it in life, protected from the dangers lurking around society. 

Unlike Granduncle Joe's brothers, nieces, nephews and their children, his children truly prefer metropolitan life to the drag and serenity of life in the countryside. In short, they love visiting the ranch, though they do not find the idea of making it home appealing at all. I guess they grew tired of the place. After all, they were born there and spent much of their childhood and adolescence in this idyllic setting.

"These are the portraits of my wife Susan, and of the children and grandchildren," my granduncle intoned, "She was a lovely lady.Susan spoiled your father during those memorable days that he spent with us at the ranch. God bless your soul, Susan! It was hard for us all when she too passed away. Hmm! We have more than a ranch here, you know. Please, don't get me wrong. I spend more time at the farm than with those snorting creatures. A word of advice: do not take my choice of words seriously. The creatures I am talking about are the cattle and horses, and not some of the critters who turn up every now and then to see their parents or relatives working here. Should we include some of the hands in the list as well? You know what I mean, don't you? Farmers are fascinating if you happen to meet the right ones. A farmer becomes unbearable if he is not enlightened.I mean; if he fails to pay attention to the wider world, to the secret of books and other creative endeavors. You know what I mean, don't you?" he said and winked at me in a conspiratorial manner.
 I nodded and almost choked in my effort not to chortle. "I understand what you mean, grandee," I said in a slightly stuttering voice.

"Huh, Tania! Your father loved it here when he was a boy,"Granduncle Joe switched all of a sudden. "That's for sure. He had wonderful moments here with his cousins. They were hooligans, all of them. They often made me wish I had a daughter. Having just one daughter would have made me happier than the king of Scotland. My nephews and sons put me through so much in this ranch. When we compare their time and our time growing up here, I get the feeling that our lives were serene like those of monks in a monastery. Look at Chris, my second boy. He resembles your father a lot, doesn't he? Your father's mother and I used to look alike in so many ways. Here is a little secret: My kid sister grew up as one hell of a fighter. If we take into account the fact that she was born between seven boys, we can say with certainty that she had no other choice, you know! Lucas couldn't beat her in a fight until she married your grandfather."

"How is Uncle Lucas doing?" my father interjected.

"Waxing strong and being himself, if you know what I mean,"Granduncle Joe said, shrugged, and then continued, "Tania, Lucas is the last born of our mother. God bless your soul, Mama. Over here is the family tree. My siblings contributed family pictures featuring their wives and children. That'show this family tree looks like with family photos of all the branches and their separate members. Don't you think it looks amazing? I will update it to include your generation. What else was I about to say, my dear Tania? Oh! Make yourself at home. Trample on any twinge of boredom or other feelings of displeasure threatening to disturb your peaceful time here. Wow, I have another surprise for you."

"It is true," I said, edged closer and peered intently at the clearly laid out photographs, "Daddy and Uncle Christopher do look alike. Their resemblance can easily fool an outsider into thinking that they are brothers or cousins from identical twins."

"You are right. My daddy even claimed that his blood would stand out anywhere. Come on Tania. Our family has many secrets. I want you to know some of them. I am talking about funny family secrets, you know. Like your father here who..."

"Please, Uncle Joe, don't do that again," my father interjected with a timid chortle.

"Don't I always promise never to embarrass you in front of your wife and children?"
 Granduncle Joe said and laughed, throwing his head back in an elated manner. 

"Prove me wrong," my father said with a smile.

"Tania, a story goes around in the family that your father promised to marry his cousin."

About the Author:

Janvier Chouteu-Chando, who grew up in the USA, The Netherlands, Russia and Cameroon, has written several bestselling novels including "Disciples of Fortune", "Triple Agent Double Cross", "Flash of the Sun", "The Union Moujik", and "The Girl on the Trail"; and the short story collections "The Usurper: and Other Stories", and "Me Before Them". He is the author of acclaimed works of non-fiction, including "THE CANARY IN A COAL MINE EFFECT: Recent Political Assassinations That Transformed Countries, Regions and the World", "Ukraine: The Tug-of-war between Russia and the West", "THEIR LAST STAND: Donald Trump's Upset Victory in the 2016 Presidential Election, How to Win Future Elections,and the Next Phase for America", "Cameroon: France's Dysfunctional Puppet System in Africa". He splits his time between the United States and Cameroon.

About this edition

• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1520567219
• ISBN 13: 9781520567211
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 65