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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
I read this book for my book club. I think the part of this book that I struggled with was the flow. The book was more a compilation of short stories than a novel and each story is about a different member of Hattie's family. The stories take place in different years and settings, so I found it hard to get a sense of continuity and conclusion with the different issues concerning Hattie's family. I am sure some people will like this book, but I tend to love books with deeply developed characters and one chapter per character wasn't enough for me.
This was a very compelling book that reminded me of The Color Purple. However, it was nothing truly spectacular. There were no happy moments. It could very easily be described as torture porn. However, the characters were so complex and rich that it almost made up for that. It read almost like a connected anthology.
3/5 stars. Recommend to people who enjoy sad historical fiction.
3/5 stars. Recommend to people who enjoy sad historical fiction.
Listened to the audio of this, thought the voice of Adenrele Ojo was wonderful. NOT a fan of audio though.
Eh, okay. Nothing to write home about. Parts of it were pretty good, others not.
I loved this. Perfect in every way. Even the ending. Oh. My.
This book managed to take translate a chunk of African American history into actual lives. Through a description of Hattie and her various children, we are exposed to the human condition and in particular, the life of black Americans. Ayana Mathis explores drug addiction, homosexuality, schizophrenia, "success," infidelity, war veterans... The list goes on and on. And somehow, she keeps this narrative gripping and united instead of a rambling mess.
Each of the characters were fascinating. Mathis does not use the hardships of racism as an excuse or apology for the addictions and vices of her characters, but it does help to explain it. Hattie's husband was initially her achilles heel. She seemed hobbled by him, and yet his understanding of her was so deep, and their shared experiences so powerful, that while he definitely came at a steep financial price, we also see that he supports her and understands her in a way no other character can. This was revealed most clearly during Ruth's custody argument.
Most powerfully, though, AM managed to describe these lives with no sense of judgement or blame. In fact, in the middle of a disagreement between two sisters, I found myself in the odd position of being able to take sides, but not wanting to. Both perspectives were powerfully valid, but neither had a perfect answer to the custody of Hattie's daughter.
It was interesting to read this novel as a mother. To watch the children grow and see them resent, respect, blame, accept, remain alienated from and puzzled by their mother. Throughout it all, though, Hattie did her utmost to be the provider her children needed and to prepare them for the world which had been so hard on her.
I wish I'd written a review closer to having actually completed this book. It really blew me away, and yet I'm having trouble remembering specfics now. All I know is that I loved it, despite finding myself in tears during the very first chapter. I guess I became emotionally tougher as I turned the pages, just as Hattie did as the novel progressed. Beautifully written, fascinating topic, gripping plots and characters... Just a great book.
This book managed to take translate a chunk of African American history into actual lives. Through a description of Hattie and her various children, we are exposed to the human condition and in particular, the life of black Americans. Ayana Mathis explores drug addiction, homosexuality, schizophrenia, "success," infidelity, war veterans... The list goes on and on. And somehow, she keeps this narrative gripping and united instead of a rambling mess.
Each of the characters were fascinating. Mathis does not use the hardships of racism as an excuse or apology for the addictions and vices of her characters, but it does help to explain it. Hattie's husband was initially her achilles heel. She seemed hobbled by him, and yet his understanding of her was so deep, and their shared experiences so powerful, that while he definitely came at a steep financial price, we also see that he supports her and understands her in a way no other character can. This was revealed most clearly during Ruth's custody argument.
Most powerfully, though, AM managed to describe these lives with no sense of judgement or blame. In fact, in the middle of a disagreement between two sisters, I found myself in the odd position of being able to take sides, but not wanting to. Both perspectives were powerfully valid, but neither had a perfect answer to the custody of Hattie's daughter.
It was interesting to read this novel as a mother. To watch the children grow and see them resent, respect, blame, accept, remain alienated from and puzzled by their mother. Throughout it all, though, Hattie did her utmost to be the provider her children needed and to prepare them for the world which had been so hard on her.
I wish I'd written a review closer to having actually completed this book. It really blew me away, and yet I'm having trouble remembering specfics now. All I know is that I loved it, despite finding myself in tears during the very first chapter. I guess I became emotionally tougher as I turned the pages, just as Hattie did as the novel progressed. Beautifully written, fascinating topic, gripping plots and characters... Just a great book.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I feel like I should be giving this novel a higher score than 2/5 solely because it was extremely well written. But I feel that would be disingenuous because I really didn't enjoy the content of the book.
Oh, Hattie. How could someone have some much misery befall them and their family. I guess when you put any family's life under the microscope you'll be able to dig up their miserable dirt on the same scale. But what I don't understand is why an author would want to make the central theme of their work inescapable unhappiness. We never get to see those shining moments between Hattie and Lawrence that Bell mentions, or find out if Pearl ever gets the family she longs for. It is true that life is not happy, that there are hardships around every corner. But hope also exists and I wish we would have seen a bit more of it in these glimpses into the lives of these characters.
If you enjoy a fairly bleak read, I'd recommend this to you. Though you may find yourself needlessly depressed by the time you finish the last page.
Oh, Hattie. How could someone have some much misery befall them and their family. I guess when you put any family's life under the microscope you'll be able to dig up their miserable dirt on the same scale. But what I don't understand is why an author would want to make the central theme of their work inescapable unhappiness. We never get to see those shining moments between Hattie and Lawrence that Bell mentions, or find out if Pearl ever gets the family she longs for. It is true that life is not happy, that there are hardships around every corner. But hope also exists and I wish we would have seen a bit more of it in these glimpses into the lives of these characters.
If you enjoy a fairly bleak read, I'd recommend this to you. Though you may find yourself needlessly depressed by the time you finish the last page.