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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Favorite chapters: Philadelphia and Jubilee, Floyd, Ella.
Some of the chapters were really engaging, while others not so much. This was more a series of short stories that involved one family. Definitely a worthy read.
Not perfect, but an EXCELLENT first novel by Matthis. The stories of the great migration never gets old to me, and as long as the storyteller is honest with the setting and portrayals of the struggle, I enjoy.
This book was gripping and I found myself thinking about the characters between the times that I was able to read this well-written book. The author subtly writes in changes in the plot lines so that I had to stop and think, and go back and reassure myself that what I thought I read was true. Even though this is a work of fiction, it feels as though this family and all of their siblings and heartbreak is true. I would love to read another book by this author.
This book was so rich, so deep, so beautifully written. It made me think and imagine and connect on so many levels. Excellent read.
The writing is beautiful and the story is complex and evolves in such a promising way...but there was something missing. The stories of each child are heart wrenching, but somewhat lacking. I wish Hattie were a more complete person, but I suppose maybe that’s part of the point of this book, that her flaws were seen by her children and broke them each in some way. But then I just felt like each failure of the children was all Hattie and August’s fault...which also seems incomplete and unfair. A good read, but one that I hoped would’ve given me a little something “more” in the end.
I found this book simply, amazing. The depth of her characters - their authenticity, complexity, struggles, and fears - had me unable to put it down! With each narrative, I did not want their story to end. I can't wait for her next novel!
I was pretty excited to read this book at first. I love reading about the African American experience whether it be non fiction or fiction. The reader is transported into a world of a family whose matriarch was named Hattie. Originally from the south, she moved to Philadelphia as a teenager with her sisters and mother (on a larger scale they participated in the Great Migration). Throughout the book we explore the life of Hattie via her 11 children and 1 grandchild which spanned many decades. The author touches on jim crow, classism, colorism, grief, depression, mental illness, homophobia, adultery, and addiction. The way the author wrote the book did not appeal to me. There were times where I wondered what happened to this son or to this daughter... I felt connected and then disconnected as she jumped from child to child. I really wanted to like this book more but a 3 star is all I can give it. I would still recommend others read it.
I wanted to like this so much more than I did. It started out well and the cover promised me something "beautiful and devastating." I read beautiful and devastating books all the time so I thought this would be one I would love. About a quarter of the way in, it started to not feel as good as the beginning. By halfway, I was mostly bored. It's not terrible writing, so I kept going, but I never regained interest. None of the characters are likable for more than a few paragraphs. There are a few thought provoking sentences, but mostly it was a depressing story with no redemption for anyone. I might actually give it 2.75 stars.
maybe more enjoyable as a printed book- i found the audiobook difficult to follow in places and most of the stories not that interesting.