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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second.
A good solid story about a dysfunctional family over the course of several decades. Each time period is told through the eyes of Hattie, her husband, her children, or a couple other characters. I was a bit worried when I saw it was an Oprah book club pick, because I associate that with sappiness ("chick lit"). But it's not. It's just an ordinary decent read that happens to be by a female black author. Oprah's influence got her name out better than any other marketing could have done.
This is a good travel book, which is what I used it for. Each chapter is almost self-contained and, if you don't remember all the details from one to another, it's okay because the passage of time within the story brings its own confusion and lack of resolution.
This is a good travel book, which is what I used it for. Each chapter is almost self-contained and, if you don't remember all the details from one to another, it's okay because the passage of time within the story brings its own confusion and lack of resolution.
Grief is a powerful emotion. I didn't really experience grief until my mother passed away and it's been a little over three months and so far I can't really say it's an easy emotion to live with. There are some moments that are really sad and others that it doesn't sting quite as bad. In reading The Twelve Tribes of Hattie, I tried to place myself in Hattie's position and honestly I can't say if I would be a better mother. This is what I like about Ayana Mathis's writing style, it's deceptively plainspoken. The words aren't complicated and at the same time, full of feeling. I could feel the range of Hattie's emotions: frantic and grief stricken when caring for her baby twins, disappointment and rage towards August for being less than what she needed, an uncertain almost happiness with Lawrence, and an unwavering determination to see her children survive childhood.
One idea that was constant for me was representation. How do we tend to think mothers should act, think, dress, etc? Hattie is described as having a light complexion and coming from a fairly well off family. She, along with her mother and sisters escaped Georgia after her father was murdered by white men for being a successful Black entrepreneur. Life wasn't easy in the aftermath and Hattie's act of rebellion was to take up with August, a man she didn't exactly love and was not seen as suitable by her mother and sister, mainly because he wasn't ambitious or educated. Is it wrong to follow a path of your choosing when loved ones warn against it?
Other things that caught my attention:
critique of the Church (pastors are portrayed as clout chasing), some members as being judgmental particularly to nonmembers.
Hattie and August are both unfaithful, but they remain together. If one looks at social media, couples that stay married through thick and thin are regarded as "relationship goals". So what exactly are the "goals"?
The kids. Hattie's children are something. I understand how they came to be, but at some point you have to take responsibility for your wellbeing.
I read The Twelve Tribes of Hattie for the first time a good 7 years ago and I remember being impressed. I still think this is a good book that has held up the test of time. It's a book filled with angst and drama, which makes it compelling. The ending leaves an impression of hope so that's always a plus. Is it a classic? Maybe.
One idea that was constant for me was representation. How do we tend to think mothers should act, think, dress, etc? Hattie is described as having a light complexion and coming from a fairly well off family. She, along with her mother and sisters escaped Georgia after her father was murdered by white men for being a successful Black entrepreneur. Life wasn't easy in the aftermath and Hattie's act of rebellion was to take up with August, a man she didn't exactly love and was not seen as suitable by her mother and sister, mainly because he wasn't ambitious or educated. Is it wrong to follow a path of your choosing when loved ones warn against it?
Other things that caught my attention:
critique of the Church (pastors are portrayed as clout chasing), some members as being judgmental particularly to nonmembers.
Hattie and August are both unfaithful, but they remain together. If one looks at social media, couples that stay married through thick and thin are regarded as "relationship goals". So what exactly are the "goals"?
The kids. Hattie's children are something. I understand how they came to be, but at some point you have to take responsibility for your wellbeing.
I read The Twelve Tribes of Hattie for the first time a good 7 years ago and I remember being impressed. I still think this is a good book that has held up the test of time. It's a book filled with angst and drama, which makes it compelling. The ending leaves an impression of hope so that's always a plus. Is it a classic? Maybe.
not a book to enjoy, as it's so painful. there is some beautiful writing and I do love Hattie even as she struggled and suffers.
as others said, greater connectivity between the stories would have made the book a bit easier, but part of me enjoyed the separate sketches and the digging for connection amongst these family members.
as others said, greater connectivity between the stories would have made the book a bit easier, but part of me enjoyed the separate sketches and the digging for connection amongst these family members.
A collection of stories about Hattie and her many children. It was beautiful at points, but painfully sad at others. Not much redemption in this book.
Not one of my favorite books. When I first noticed it was one of the Oprah's book club titles I almost returned it to the library unopened, because I generally find those books so depressing. In this case, there's a lot of darkness, but enough light that I wasn't completely depressed and I was curious enough that I wanted to learn more so I finished it.
Well written, and interesting. Kind of lost me at the end...
This book was difficult to get through. Each chapter is a different child’s story and ends with loose ends. The book never ties everything all together.
The story unfolds through short stories about Hattie's children (the 12 Tribes of the title) all revolving around the axis of Hattie, who moved to Philadelphia from the South in the 1920s. Through grief, poverty, and youth, she is unable to be the mother that the children need her to be.
Unfortunately I think that the way the story is structured keeps you distant from the characters as you never really get to know any one strongly. Although, in many ways, it is how you'd know a family that you were acquainted with and their story, without directly being told.
To answer a dear friend, the writing was pleasant, but not brilliant. I did enjoy the glimpses into the Great Migration history but it wasn't fleshed out well for me. I suspect there were some references that I missed, though.
A Book Club read, I'll be interested in hearing what others thought.
Unfortunately I think that the way the story is structured keeps you distant from the characters as you never really get to know any one strongly. Although, in many ways, it is how you'd know a family that you were acquainted with and their story, without directly being told.
To answer a dear friend, the writing was pleasant, but not brilliant. I did enjoy the glimpses into the Great Migration history but it wasn't fleshed out well for me. I suspect there were some references that I missed, though.
A Book Club read, I'll be interested in hearing what others thought.