Mosquito (Bluestreak Book 9)

Bury those easy-to-read Black romance books. Mosquito is where African-American literature is heading as we approach the twenty-first century.—E. Ethelbert Miller, Emerge Sojourner Nadine Jane Johnson, also known as Mosquito, is an African-American truck driver. Set in a south Texas border town, Mosquito is the story of her accidental and yet growing involvement in "the new underground railroad," a sanctuary movement for Mexican immigrants. Mosquito's journey begins when she discovers Maria, a stowaway who nearly gives birth in the back of the truck; Maria will eventually name her baby Journal, a misspelled tribute to her unwitting benefactor Sojourner. Along the road, Mosquito introduces us to Delgadina, a Chicana bartender who fries cactus, writes haunting stories, and studies to become a detective - one of the most original and appealing characters in all of Jones's fiction. We also meet Monkey Bread, a childhood pal who is, improbably, assistant to a blonde star in Hollywood, where Mosquito pays her a memorable visit. As her understanding of the immigrants' need to forge new lives and identities deepens, so too does Mosquito's romance with Ray, a gentle revolutionary, philosopher, and, perhaps, a priest.

One does not read Gayl Jones; Gayl Jones allows you into her space, and she shares her story with you. She sets the rhythm. She sets the pace. You're invited to come along, if you must. While the invitation may appear casual, even aloof, the writing is not. And once you step inside her latest book, Mosquito, Jones will keep you dazzled by her language, humor, breadth of knowledge, and sheer creative intellect. For its volume alone you may want to put the book down, but as Nadine, Jones's main character might say, Now, you didn't have to come in the first, but you here now and I gots somethin' to say. You will listen, and you will enjoy.

Chicago Tribune - Sandra Scofield

Mosquito will amuse and confuse and instruct and pique and exhaust you. Sometimes the anecdotes are so good you call up friends to share them. There are a hundred times you want to shout, 'Right on!'

Sojourner Nadine Jane Johnson, an African-American truck driver also known as Mosquito, inadvertently becomes involved in the "new underground railroad," a sanctuary movement for Mexican immigrants A black woman who works as a truck driver in Texas becomes involved in a new Underground Railroad, helping illegal immigrants in the U.S. By the author of Corregidora