Reviews
The
rave reviews are in from critics and readers. Below are pulled quotes from these reviews. Just click
on any of them to read the full review.
“The "King of Cups," is a story of integrity, bravery, selflessness and sacrifice.”
Keith E Stuart, PhD Lecturer and Author of 44 Points and co-author of The McDonald Saga Trilogy; Banners of Honor, Banners of
Liberty, and A Good Run.
“…a
dashing and intriguing adventure story…”
Fran Metzman, co-fiction editor of Schuylkill Valley Journal
and co-author of Ugly Cookies, has published short stories
in literary magazines such as Nassau Review, Rosebud,
Potato Eyes, and Writers’ Journal
“…The
King of Cups, a powerfully evocative novel…is reminiscent,
in its distilled and vivid prose style, at once of Hemingway’s fiction
and Yeat’s poetry.”
A. Shameem Choudhury, Professor of English, Delgado Community
College, New Orleans, has published in New Laurel Review, Lyric
Lousiana and Images. His poem, To the American Eagle, first
published in Negative Capability, recently received Congressional
commendation.
“Meticulous
research underlies all aspects of this novel.”
Roberta Kramer, Ph.D. and Multiculturalism Consultant
“In
Quina’s world, history, family, politics and the search for
true love blend seamlessly. With his gift for language and story-telling,
Quina has written a page-turner.!”
Joy E. Stocke, co-author of the novel, Ugly Cookies
and author of a book of poems, The Cave of the Bear. She
is editor of the Bucks County Writer, co-editor of The Schuylkill
Valley Journal, and contributing writer for Greece-in-Print.
“What
a great movie this would make!”
Diane Lovisa Dolega, Graphic Art Specialist, Owner of Print
Ready Graphics, Troy, Michigan
“Like
James Lee Burke, James Quina grabs the reader’s attention on the
first page.”
Ernie Heyman, Professor of Teacher Education, Denver, Colorado
“…I
was enthralled with the suspense and characters involved.”
Ted Hebbler, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, St Croix, US
Virgin Islands
“The
King of Cups, with the highlights of New Orleans culture, is both
interesting and informative.”
Zhongtian Qi, M.D., Shanghai, China
“…a
work of art that was one of the most enjoyable reading experiences
that I have ever had.”
Glen Turpening,
Registered Representative, Axa Advisors and Financial Services”
“King
of Cups is a dashing and intriguing adventure story that explores
the sacrifices one makes to keep a family together. Beneath the
gripping scenes we feel the depth of emotion that surrounds families
and the need to sustain those relationships.”
Fran Metzman, co-fiction editor of Schuylkill Valley Journal
and co-author of Ugly Cookies, has published short stories
in literary magazines such as Nassau Review, Rosebud,
Potato Eyes, and Writers’ Journal
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“James Quina’s The King of Cups, a powerfully evocative novel about New Orleans set during the devastating yellow fever epidemic
of the mid-nineteenth century, is reminiscent, in its distilled
and vivid prose style, at once of Hemmingway’s fiction and Yeat’s
poetry. Quina’s prose, like that of Hemingway’s fiction, is highly
condensed and totally devoid of verbiage, while at the same time
possessing the pristine freshness and vividness of some of Yeat’s
characteristic poetry. As such it paints a crystal clear picture
of the times.”
A. Shameem Choudhury, Professor of English, Delgado Community
College, New Orleans, has published in New Laurel Review, Lyric
Lousiana and Images. His poem, To the American Eagle, first
published in Negative Capability, recently received Congressional
commendation.
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“Reading
The King of Cups proves to be both an entertaining and
informative experience. The story, set in the early part of the
last century, moves continuously with all the elements of a good
tale. Major characters, especially Marty the protagonist, are
portrayed with descriptive depth that doesn’t lapse into
ponderous analysis. Meticulous research underlies all aspects
of this novel.
The
highlights of New Orleans culture, both the sacred and profane,
are richly presented. We are effectively drawn into the multitude
of environments that composed the Crescent City of that
time, including: The Catholic religious and charitable society,
Voodoo rituals and beliefs, The beauty and wealth of the Garden
District, and the decadence and danger of Storyville.
To
put it simply, this book may keep you up at night because you
will just have to know what happens next.”
Roberta
Kramer, Ph.D. and Multiculturalism Consultant
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“In
clear, evocative prose, James Quina has created a classic tale
set in a timeless city, New Orleans. From the opening scene, when
sixteen year old Marty McKinstry watches his father succumb to
yellow fever, to the gripping conclusion, Quina has woven a taut
story that illuminates American history in the first half of the
twentieth century.
In
Quina’s world, history, family, politics and the search for true
love blend seamlessly. With his gift for language and story telling,
Quina has written a page-turner.”
Joy
E. Stocke, co-author of the novel, Ugly Cookies and
author of a book of poems, The Cave of the Bear. She is
editor of the Bucks County Writer, co-editor of The Schuylkill
Valley Journal, and contributing writer for Greece-in-Print.
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“The
King of Cups reminds me of a true story being passed along from
generation to generation. Quina makes the events in this book
fresh and new with current thinking. There is no profanity used
to tell this tale. This is the ‘surprise’ book—the
book you recommend to your friends and family over 16.
What
a great movie this would make! I love heroes and happy endings.”
Diane
Lovisa Dolega, Graphic Art Specialist, Owner of Print Ready
Graphics, Troy, Michigan
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“Action!
Adventure! Voodoo on Lake Pontchartrain! The yellow fever, snakes,
alligators, the Krewe of Momus—Mardi Gras. The King of
Cups is the fast-moving story of a teenage boy’s first
encounter with moral courage, violence, hatred, bravery, romance
and adventure. This exciting story begins with Marty McKinstry’s
promise to his dying father to watch over his orphaned brother
and sister and is set in 1905 New Orleans. For forty-eight chapters,
the well-developed characters and scenes that flash before the
reader’s eyes stimulate one’s imagination. One can feel
the languor of the Old South and the charm of the city’s
18th century European influences. The story is heavy with mood
and atmosphere. The reader comes to know New Orleans’s unique
blend of pleasures, curses, blessings, and dangers. With detailed
physical descriptions, the reader experiences flower filled, wrought-iron-gated
courtyards and the dazzling sights, sounds, and pungent smells
of a St. Charles Avenue Mardi Gras parade. The story is an invitation
to come and explore this very sensual city.
The
King of Cups is written by a man who lives in New Orleans,
and was born and raised in the area. James Quina writes in a straightforward,
expressionistic style, and like James Lee Burke, he is able, through
the use of vivid description, to grab the reader’s attention
in the first page. The book is well researched and documented.
Quina truly understands and loves the culture of New Orleans.”
Ernie
Heyman, Professor of Teacher Education, Denver, Colorado
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“Last
spring I read the novel, The King of Cups, by James Quina.
I must say that once I got past the first chapter, I was enthralled
with the suspense and characters involved. I read the entire book
in one week. I am a native New Orleanian, and especially could
identify with all of the places mentioned in the book. Looking
forward to a sequel in the near future. Bravo, Mr.Quina—well
done!!!!!”
Ted
Hebbler, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, St Croix, US Virgin
Islands
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“I
had read the manuscript of The King of Cups before Dr.
James Quina sent it for publication a year ago. The novel, with
the highlights of New Orleans culture, is really interesting and
informative. Jim lives in and loves New Orleans, and did well
research for the preparation of the book. I congratulate on the
publication of the book, and believe that you will like the story.”
Zhongtian
Qi, M.D., Shanghai, China
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“I
have had the distinct pleasure of knowing Dr. James Quina for
over 10 years, when he was a professor of English at Wayne State
University in Detroit. In his quest to live near his boyhood home,
the setting for his novel King of Cups, I knew that something
big was up. His excitement in writing the story was like watching
a master painter working on his masterpiece.
Having
the pleasure to help edit the story was like holding the palette
and watching each brush stroke meet the canvas. Each re-write
made the complete picture come closer and clearer in view.
Dr.
Quina created a wonderful story with exciting and colorful characters.
It contains a historically accurate and captivating turn of the
last century 1900’s flavor of hot and steamy New Orleans life.
This
first novel of Dr. Quina’s is a work of art that was one of the
most enjoyable reading experiences that I have ever had.
Thanks,
Jim.
Glen
Turpening,
Registered Representative, Axa Advisors and Financial Services”
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