Scan barcode
sandiet's review against another edition
3.0
While this book was definitely not my cup of tea, Ms. Mathis knows how to write. Every story was pretty depressing. Didn't like the novel itself but liked the writing style and that's the only reason I have rated it 3 stars.
utahmomreads's review
3.0
Read my review here : http://utahmomslife.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-twelve-tribes-of-hattie-book-review.html
rodriqueslaila's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD performed by Andrele Ojo, Bahni Turpin, and Adam Lazarre-White
In 1923 fifteen-year-old Hattie Shepherd, along with her mother and sister, left their Georgia home for a new start North of the Mason-Dixon line. They thought they would find a better life in Philadelphia. But Hattie got pregnant by and married a man who would prove to be a huge disappointment. Her first-born twins die of an infection that a little penicillin might have cured. Hattie never gets over their loss, but raises her other nine children with grit and determination, if not much tenderness.
The novel is told in twelve chapters, each detailing the story of one of Hattie’s children or grandchildren, over six decades, and reads more like a collection of short stories than a cohesive novel with a single story arc. The book jacket implies that Mathis based the novel on the history of the Great Migration, when African Americans fled the deep south for the hope of better jobs in the north. Some prospered, finding good factory jobs on which salaries they could support a growing family. Some floundered, succumbing to the temptations of the big city streets, gambling, juke joints, and drinking. Some of them returned to the south. But because she focuses on this one dysfunctional family, she loses the larger picture.
I like the way that Mathis uses the stories of Hattie’s eleven children and one grandchild to illustrate so many possibilities. In one family, especially when including Hattie’s sisters Pearl and Marion, there are huge disparities in fortune – a professional man who owns his own business, contrasted with a woman facing eviction for nonpayment of rent. Some of them find solace in religion; some seek it in the bottle. Some have strong marriages; others seem incapable of forming any lasting relationship.
I found myself angry with several of the characters, for their lack of integrity or ambition or motivation, and yet I understood that poverty can result in isolation and hopelessness. I know, too, that the issues facing these characters – sexual identity, mental illness, poverty, abandonment, discrimination, marital infidelity – are difficult to handle when you have a strong support network, and virtually impossible to overcome when you are emotionally isolated.
This is Mathis’ debut novel and I see evidence of a great writing talent. I’ll probably read another book by her. But at the end of THIS novel I find myself struggling to explain my reactions to the book, as much as Hattie’s children struggled to make a good life after being raised by such seemingly uncaring parents.
The audio version is performed by three talented voice artists: Andrele Ojo, Bahni Turpin, and Adam Lazarre-White. I think this contributed to the feeling that this was a collection of stories rather than a novel.
In 1923 fifteen-year-old Hattie Shepherd, along with her mother and sister, left their Georgia home for a new start North of the Mason-Dixon line. They thought they would find a better life in Philadelphia. But Hattie got pregnant by and married a man who would prove to be a huge disappointment. Her first-born twins die of an infection that a little penicillin might have cured. Hattie never gets over their loss, but raises her other nine children with grit and determination, if not much tenderness.
The novel is told in twelve chapters, each detailing the story of one of Hattie’s children or grandchildren, over six decades, and reads more like a collection of short stories than a cohesive novel with a single story arc. The book jacket implies that Mathis based the novel on the history of the Great Migration, when African Americans fled the deep south for the hope of better jobs in the north. Some prospered, finding good factory jobs on which salaries they could support a growing family. Some floundered, succumbing to the temptations of the big city streets, gambling, juke joints, and drinking. Some of them returned to the south. But because she focuses on this one dysfunctional family, she loses the larger picture.
I like the way that Mathis uses the stories of Hattie’s eleven children and one grandchild to illustrate so many possibilities. In one family, especially when including Hattie’s sisters Pearl and Marion, there are huge disparities in fortune – a professional man who owns his own business, contrasted with a woman facing eviction for nonpayment of rent. Some of them find solace in religion; some seek it in the bottle. Some have strong marriages; others seem incapable of forming any lasting relationship.
I found myself angry with several of the characters, for their lack of integrity or ambition or motivation, and yet I understood that poverty can result in isolation and hopelessness. I know, too, that the issues facing these characters – sexual identity, mental illness, poverty, abandonment, discrimination, marital infidelity – are difficult to handle when you have a strong support network, and virtually impossible to overcome when you are emotionally isolated.
This is Mathis’ debut novel and I see evidence of a great writing talent. I’ll probably read another book by her. But at the end of THIS novel I find myself struggling to explain my reactions to the book, as much as Hattie’s children struggled to make a good life after being raised by such seemingly uncaring parents.
The audio version is performed by three talented voice artists: Andrele Ojo, Bahni Turpin, and Adam Lazarre-White. I think this contributed to the feeling that this was a collection of stories rather than a novel.
abaugher's review against another edition
5.0
heart-wrenching, poignant, touching. i cried at some parts. tory told from Hattie's point of view, then from her children's, through the decades.very different lives, all touched by one woman.
lmkramer507's review
3.0
I don't think I really liked this book. If it had been longer than its 240 pages, I would have quit after chapter 3 or so.
This isn't so much about the twelve tribes of Hattie as about one single episode in the lives of each of twelve children. If you want to learn about the many ways that individuals and families can be dysfunctional, and learn about a family that doesn't really have a single, "normal," success story, this is the book for you.
The problem is that you learn just a bit about each child at a single point in their lives, and the ties between the siblings are very sparsely noted. If you think of it as a series of twelve short stories, perhaps you'll be more satisfied by this book. I was lefting wanting to know more about the characters and their interactions as they grew up from childhood into adulthood.
The writing is fine, and it's easy to read. I finished it in three evenings, reading much of it while my husband had the TV on in the background. There's not a whole lot that requires intense concentration, so it's a quick and easy read if you want to give it a try.
This isn't so much about the twelve tribes of Hattie as about one single episode in the lives of each of twelve children. If you want to learn about the many ways that individuals and families can be dysfunctional, and learn about a family that doesn't really have a single, "normal," success story, this is the book for you.
The problem is that you learn just a bit about each child at a single point in their lives, and the ties between the siblings are very sparsely noted. If you think of it as a series of twelve short stories, perhaps you'll be more satisfied by this book. I was lefting wanting to know more about the characters and their interactions as they grew up from childhood into adulthood.
The writing is fine, and it's easy to read. I finished it in three evenings, reading much of it while my husband had the TV on in the background. There's not a whole lot that requires intense concentration, so it's a quick and easy read if you want to give it a try.
africanbookaddict's review
5.0
!!! book blog review: http://africanbookaddict.com/2015/11/18/the-twelve-tribes-of-hattie-by-ayana-mathis/
I bought this in 2014. I didn't even plan to read this during the summer, but the book was smiling at me from my bookshelf, so I started it. From the first page to the last, this has been a good page turner. I honestly do not have any issues with this book, it was an excellent read! I read each chapter as a short story, since each chapter focuses on one of Hattie's 9 children intertwined with Hattie and her husband August's history. Each chapter has its own twists and turns as readers get acquainted with Hatties children and whatever issue they face in life. I believe Mathis concludes each chapter powerfully and with a hint of positivity. Its interesting how all of Hattie's children have such diverse lives and they face real life joy and pain. Yes, Hattie was an unloveable, stern, sometimes cold woman - but I understood and appreciated her.
Nobody in this life is perfect, and this book surely kept nailing that into my head. I don't even think a review can do this book justice - you have to read it for yourself to understand. Its a shame that this book doesn't have great ratings on Goodreads, I don't know what people expected when they chose to read it lol. I'm glad Oprah saw the greatness of this novel, hence peoples' increased interest. Don't get me wrong, the stories are laden with lots of different things: homosexuality, depression, mental illness, colorism, the great migration (from Georgia to Philly), marriage, racism, sickness, pain, cowardice, bravery, Christianity, family... The book takes readers through 4 generations (from 1925 to 1980), so be prepared for a long, powerful ride.
Note: This is an adult fiction book, readers should be 18 years or older to indulge
I bought this in 2014. I didn't even plan to read this during the summer, but the book was smiling at me from my bookshelf, so I started it. From the first page to the last, this has been a good page turner. I honestly do not have any issues with this book, it was an excellent read! I read each chapter as a short story, since each chapter focuses on one of Hattie's 9 children intertwined with Hattie and her husband August's history. Each chapter has its own twists and turns as readers get acquainted with Hatties children and whatever issue they face in life. I believe Mathis concludes each chapter powerfully and with a hint of positivity. Its interesting how all of Hattie's children have such diverse lives and they face real life joy and pain. Yes, Hattie was an unloveable, stern, sometimes cold woman - but I understood and appreciated her.
Nobody in this life is perfect, and this book surely kept nailing that into my head. I don't even think a review can do this book justice - you have to read it for yourself to understand. Its a shame that this book doesn't have great ratings on Goodreads, I don't know what people expected when they chose to read it lol. I'm glad Oprah saw the greatness of this novel, hence peoples' increased interest. Don't get me wrong, the stories are laden with lots of different things: homosexuality, depression, mental illness, colorism, the great migration (from Georgia to Philly), marriage, racism, sickness, pain, cowardice, bravery, Christianity, family... The book takes readers through 4 generations (from 1925 to 1980), so be prepared for a long, powerful ride.
Note: This is an adult fiction book, readers should be 18 years or older to indulge
jesslolsen's review
4.0
I always find it really refreshing to read a story that is set out slightly different from the norm, it makes be excited to continue reading no matter what the topic, and it makes it harder to guess how it is going to end.
This story tells the depressing yet interesting tale of Hattie's tribe of children. It very cleverly shows you who they are, and then by default tells the story of Hattie herself.
I don't know how accurate it is, but in parts it is heartbreaking, and I found myself really wanting this poor family to finally cut a break! It seemed like each and every one of them was doomed to struggle their entire life.
But despite the bleak tales of the family members, the Mathis is a master storyteller. It may not give you warm and fuzzys when you read it, but it will definitely keep you turning the page.
This story tells the depressing yet interesting tale of Hattie's tribe of children. It very cleverly shows you who they are, and then by default tells the story of Hattie herself.
I don't know how accurate it is, but in parts it is heartbreaking, and I found myself really wanting this poor family to finally cut a break! It seemed like each and every one of them was doomed to struggle their entire life.
But despite the bleak tales of the family members, the Mathis is a master storyteller. It may not give you warm and fuzzys when you read it, but it will definitely keep you turning the page.
booksandbourbon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0