You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
So I was going to say The Bluest Eye is better, which it is, but this was good too, in a different way. The last chapter changed my sense of the book's quality a lot. I do think there are parts in the middle that are needlessly obscure (each chapter feels a little top much like the opening scene of Memento, and for no really good reason. Still, very affecting and passionate.
I wanted to but I just didn't like it. I didn't like the format nor half the characters.
I really enjoyed the book, it just left me with so many unanswered questions. I would really give it 3.5
I have picked up and put down this novel many times. I had a hard time focusing on it. Now that I have finished it: good book about a very hard life. Not a mood-booster, but well written.
Usually I steer clear of an "Oprah's book club" book....I have read several recommendations...and only 2 were worth the effort to me. "The Twelve Tribes of Hattie" was well worth the effort. I LOVED this book and the beautiful almost lyrical writing by Ayana Mathis....I will recommend it to everyone who loves to read.
I liked the premise of the book, where each chapter was one of the children but I feel insufficient time was spent on each to provide any real depth.
Sadness pervades this novel, but there is lots to love. I liked the way it unfolded as a series of vignettes, and I found its portrayal of motherhood provoking and interesting.
Each part of this book made it feel like you were starting a new book which made it really hard to get into. Additionally, it was so inconsistent. Some of the stories were so interesting and others were boring. There were parts of this book that deserved 5 stars but some parts only deserved one.
This book was a bit depressing. I've read a LOT of similar books written by Toni Morrison, Delores Phillips, Bernice McFadden, etc and at least 1 if not more of their characters somehow overcomes their circumstances in the end. I kept reading this book and hoping at least a story of 1 of her children would end on a high note or some sort of redemption. I was hoping at least the grandchild would have a happy ending, but she too has to bear the family burden.