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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed the book, but the ending did not bring any closure! Each chapter discussed Hattie’s individual children and her granddaughter, but once they are discussed, they virtually disappear from the book!!! I would love to know what happened to Alice, Franklin, Cassie, Bell…shoot I NEED closure on all her children and granddaughter!!! I wish August’s point of view was explored more in the book. In my opinion, Hattie never recovered from the twins’ death and was depressed the rest of her life. Hattie definitely needed some therapy! Hattie continuously experienced hurt throughout the book; poor woman! The writing was good, I was engaged, but I wanted closure! That’s the only reason why I didn’t give the novel five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 stars
What I thought I was going to be reading:
As both a fan of Oprah’s Book Club and of African-American literature, I was excited to read this novel. I have read and enjoyed many of Toni Morrison’s works, which feature a similar grizzly and depressing depiction of African-American lives, and a review in the book jacket referenced a similarity in tone to Toni Morrison’s, so I thought I would enjoy this story. I know Oprah tends to pick a rather gloomy plot for her book club picks, and that was not a deterrent for me.
What I actually read:
This book read as a collection of loosely connected stories. Characters appear in one chapter and rarely make another appearance. Many of the chapters could be read as standalone stories (although a few of the chapters will reference events in a previous chapter, they aren’t necessarily integral to understanding the overall story or the characters’ motivations). As standalone pieces, the stories are, for the most part, harrowing and beautiful glimpses into a particular character’s life. Because the stories are standalone pieces, the pacing of the novel feels awkward and somewhat stifled. After being particularly interested in one character and their story, the chapter would end and the character would be abruptly gone, without any hope of hearing any more about the character in subsequent chapters.
What to expect:
Go into this novel expecting a collection of short stories. After reading one chapter, you will, more often than not, not read about the character again in later chapters. Expect a depressing read. Don’t expect a silver lining or any neatly wrapped endings. The stories and characters are raw and heart-breaking.
What I thought I was going to be reading:
As both a fan of Oprah’s Book Club and of African-American literature, I was excited to read this novel. I have read and enjoyed many of Toni Morrison’s works, which feature a similar grizzly and depressing depiction of African-American lives, and a review in the book jacket referenced a similarity in tone to Toni Morrison’s, so I thought I would enjoy this story. I know Oprah tends to pick a rather gloomy plot for her book club picks, and that was not a deterrent for me.
What I actually read:
This book read as a collection of loosely connected stories. Characters appear in one chapter and rarely make another appearance. Many of the chapters could be read as standalone stories (although a few of the chapters will reference events in a previous chapter, they aren’t necessarily integral to understanding the overall story or the characters’ motivations). As standalone pieces, the stories are, for the most part, harrowing and beautiful glimpses into a particular character’s life. Because the stories are standalone pieces, the pacing of the novel feels awkward and somewhat stifled. After being particularly interested in one character and their story, the chapter would end and the character would be abruptly gone, without any hope of hearing any more about the character in subsequent chapters.
What to expect:
Go into this novel expecting a collection of short stories. After reading one chapter, you will, more often than not, not read about the character again in later chapters. Expect a depressing read. Don’t expect a silver lining or any neatly wrapped endings. The stories and characters are raw and heart-breaking.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
O livro tem uma narrativa diversa, que acompanha o ponto de vista de cada "protagonista". É quase como se cada capítulo fosse um conto, organizados em ordem cronológica, permeando a vida de Hattie por meio de seus descendentes diretos.
A complexidade da maternidade. As falhas, as dificuldades, o gigante obstáculo de se conciliar a personalidade, os traumas e o amor. Acertar errando, errar tentando acertar. O tema aqui é essencialmente a maternidade, mas não só isso. Trata tambem de sexualidade, de masculinidade, de sanidade mental e física. Fala sobre família, no que tem de bom e de ruim.
O primeiro capítulo já dá o tom do livro, não é uma história fácil. Depois dele, senti que ficou um pouco arrastado, mas ao chegar no capítulo de Alice e Billups fui totalmente capturada. Dali em diante eu já estava nas mãos da autora, cuja habilidade na escrita impressiona.
Não é uma história fácil. Não é uma leitura que prende e te faz querer ler o tempo todo. É denso, pesado e precisa de pausas para assentar, de respiros.
Nao é uma historia fácil. Mas é uma historia rica, cheia de nuances, complexidades, tridimensionalidade, vida.
A complexidade da maternidade. As falhas, as dificuldades, o gigante obstáculo de se conciliar a personalidade, os traumas e o amor. Acertar errando, errar tentando acertar. O tema aqui é essencialmente a maternidade, mas não só isso. Trata tambem de sexualidade, de masculinidade, de sanidade mental e física. Fala sobre família, no que tem de bom e de ruim.
O primeiro capítulo já dá o tom do livro, não é uma história fácil. Depois dele, senti que ficou um pouco arrastado, mas ao chegar no capítulo de Alice e Billups fui totalmente capturada. Dali em diante eu já estava nas mãos da autora, cuja habilidade na escrita impressiona.
Não é uma história fácil. Não é uma leitura que prende e te faz querer ler o tempo todo. É denso, pesado e precisa de pausas para assentar, de respiros.
Nao é uma historia fácil. Mas é uma historia rica, cheia de nuances, complexidades, tridimensionalidade, vida.
Probably 3.5
I enjoyed this. At only 207 pages, it was a quick read. I must admit I only read it because It was an Oprah bookclub selection. I did like the approach of telling the stories of 3 generations of Hattie's family through different family members in different decades. It was well written, characters were flawed but treated with compassion. But ... It wasn't the equal of Toni Morrison or Alice Walker - which perhaps is an unrealistic expectation but hey this was an Oprah pick. I was expecting a little bit more.
I enjoyed this. At only 207 pages, it was a quick read. I must admit I only read it because It was an Oprah bookclub selection. I did like the approach of telling the stories of 3 generations of Hattie's family through different family members in different decades. It was well written, characters were flawed but treated with compassion. But ... It wasn't the equal of Toni Morrison or Alice Walker - which perhaps is an unrealistic expectation but hey this was an Oprah pick. I was expecting a little bit more.
sad
medium-paced
Ayana Mathis has been receiving a great deal of attention for her debut novel, most notably, being chosen as an Oprah’s book club selection. I was interested to see what all of the hype was about.
This is the tale of Hattie Shepherd, told through the stories of her children. In many ways, this novel reads more as a collection of short stories with Hattie as the common thread.
The first story introduces us to Hattie, an African-American woman who moved with her husband from rural Georgia to Philadelphia in the early part of the 20th century. The young Hattie has twin babies who we quickly learn are ill with pneumonia. Poor as the Shepherds are, they are unable to afford the medicine required to save their babies, and Hattie loses her first two children. This tragedy haunts Hattie and her husband August throughout the rest of their lives.
As the first short story suggests, this is not a light, happy read. This novel highlights the struggle and hardship of being human, particularly for a poor minority throughout the 20th century. One criticism I’ve read about this novel is that there is too much suffering; that Mathis tried to fit too much into one book. While I can certainly see where people are coming from, I didn’t feel that any of it was unnecessary. Mathis is an exquisite writer who manages to write truthfully with hope even throughout the dark topics of this novel.
Mathis’s writing was very reminiscent of Edwidge Danticat’s work, an author who has been celebrated by Oprah Winfrey as well. Fans of Danticat’s work will certainly enjoy this novel.
This is the tale of Hattie Shepherd, told through the stories of her children. In many ways, this novel reads more as a collection of short stories with Hattie as the common thread.
The first story introduces us to Hattie, an African-American woman who moved with her husband from rural Georgia to Philadelphia in the early part of the 20th century. The young Hattie has twin babies who we quickly learn are ill with pneumonia. Poor as the Shepherds are, they are unable to afford the medicine required to save their babies, and Hattie loses her first two children. This tragedy haunts Hattie and her husband August throughout the rest of their lives.
As the first short story suggests, this is not a light, happy read. This novel highlights the struggle and hardship of being human, particularly for a poor minority throughout the 20th century. One criticism I’ve read about this novel is that there is too much suffering; that Mathis tried to fit too much into one book. While I can certainly see where people are coming from, I didn’t feel that any of it was unnecessary. Mathis is an exquisite writer who manages to write truthfully with hope even throughout the dark topics of this novel.
Mathis’s writing was very reminiscent of Edwidge Danticat’s work, an author who has been celebrated by Oprah Winfrey as well. Fans of Danticat’s work will certainly enjoy this novel.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes