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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
This book takes place over the course of a life of a Black woman who grew up in the south, but moved with her family as a teenager to the lesser oppression of the north. Each chapter is marked with a date, and the name of the individual for which it is about. The dates ranges from the 1920's to 1980. The first chapter is about Hattie, the rest are about her children. I enjoyed looking into this culture, both that of African Americans, and the culture of poverty, and how it impacts the lives of this family and the choices they make. Though the content was interesting, it was not always fascinating. There were definitely times I lost interest in the book. There were also moments when I had trouble putting it down. In the end, it was worth the read.
More like a series of short interconnected stories than a novel. Lots of gaps and less than satisfying glimpses into characters lives. Not uplifting in any way. Well written.
Stylistically, I thought this novel was gorgeous, and I can see why there is so much hype about Ayana Mathis's writing. Many reviewers have commented on how they didn't enjoy the structure, since each chapter functions more as a short story than a part of a cohesive narrative, but I actually really enjoyed the freshness that "novel in stories" structure brought to the table. Of course, a few of the stories definitely stood out to me as being tighter and stronger. "Franklin", "Ela", "Ruthie", "Jubilee and Philadelphia", and "Floyd" could all have been published on their own, I think. I struggled reading "Six" and still feel a little lost as to what Mathis was trying to say there.
The religious symbolism and biblical masterplots throughout definitely gave the novel a weightiness that speaks to works by Toni Morrison, Alan Paton, and, of course, William Faulkner. However, I felt like, as a whole, I didn't quite grasp what Mathis wanted to do with all of that religious context, and towards the last chapter, she started to lose me.
I think a second reading would definitely shed some light on this area, but I don't know that I necessarily want to spend more time with these characters. While fascinating and richly drawn, I didn't connect with them in the way that I did with Siddha, Absalom, and Rosa Coldfield.
The religious symbolism and biblical masterplots throughout definitely gave the novel a weightiness that speaks to works by Toni Morrison, Alan Paton, and, of course, William Faulkner. However, I felt like, as a whole, I didn't quite grasp what Mathis wanted to do with all of that religious context, and towards the last chapter, she started to lose me.
I think a second reading would definitely shed some light on this area, but I don't know that I necessarily want to spend more time with these characters. While fascinating and richly drawn, I didn't connect with them in the way that I did with Siddha, Absalom, and Rosa Coldfield.
2.5 really
I was not big on the short story feel of this book, I did enjoy the story lines though. Wish it was a little more cohesive. I felt left with a lot of unanswered questions and wanting to know more about what happened with various characters.
I was not big on the short story feel of this book, I did enjoy the story lines though. Wish it was a little more cohesive. I felt left with a lot of unanswered questions and wanting to know more about what happened with various characters.
With the exception of the penultimate chapter, which I felt lacked the connection of the others, this was a fascinating book with an unusual shape. Each chapter reads like a short story, with no explanation that that is what you are doing. If it has any theme at all, it would be that life is hard and it is what you make of it, despite what challenges are sent your way. That the families are black, urban and poor and I am white, rural and mid-income made for some interesting cultural references I had to Google including artists such as Leotyne Price. I enjoy being transported to a different place or peoples and noting the similarities. Hattie is not the typical archetype mom -- she's complex, damaged and can't give love as much as she should. The book doesn't apologize for this, but shows what happens.
Sad and sorrowful
Hattie's children grow to be sad, despairing adults, unable to obtain or even effectively seek love. This book is a sad commentary on the effects of the lack of affection often seen in children whose parents are only able to focus on survival.
Hattie's children grow to be sad, despairing adults, unable to obtain or even effectively seek love. This book is a sad commentary on the effects of the lack of affection often seen in children whose parents are only able to focus on survival.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness
Moderate: Child death, Racism
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really liked how this book looked at all the characters, tough stories but you felt like you got to know each of the characters
2.5 STARS
Right off the bat, I was enchanted by Ayana Mathis' storytelling while reading The Twelve Tribes of Hattie. My heart ached for her as she tried every remedy to help her twin babies pneumonia. However, once I grew attached to Hattie's character, I had to put her on the shelf and start all over again in the next chapter, where we met Floyd. Again I got to finally attach myself to his character and then just as quickly as it started, put him on the shelf too, as we get to the next chapter about Six. It just doesn't flow for me. This book is more like a compilation of short stories to make a book. I waited on rating and reviewing this book to see if my feelings changed on it, but just grew so frustrated with it!
"She didn't know how to tend to her childrens souls, but she fought to keep them alive and to keep herself alive."
Right off the bat, I was enchanted by Ayana Mathis' storytelling while reading The Twelve Tribes of Hattie. My heart ached for her as she tried every remedy to help her twin babies pneumonia. However, once I grew attached to Hattie's character, I had to put her on the shelf and start all over again in the next chapter, where we met Floyd. Again I got to finally attach myself to his character and then just as quickly as it started, put him on the shelf too, as we get to the next chapter about Six. It just doesn't flow for me. This book is more like a compilation of short stories to make a book. I waited on rating and reviewing this book to see if my feelings changed on it, but just grew so frustrated with it!
"She didn't know how to tend to her childrens souls, but she fought to keep them alive and to keep herself alive."