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jessferg's review against another edition
4.0
I read this a looooonnnnngggg time ago but I remember loving it - laughing out loud and recommending it to everyone. Fun read.
karmakat's review against another edition
4.0
The parallel stories of two members of an Alabama family during the civil rights era. Lucille travels from Alabama to Hollywood to try to land a role on The Beverly Hillbillies (and to avoid justice back home) while Peejoe is caught in the middle of racial clashes in his town.
It is very clear from early on why this was a New York Times notable book. The writing is fabulous and the characters are entertaining. The book also tackles some very tough subjects in a thoughtful, provoking way. I do have to say that I may have given this book 5 stars, but I found Lucille's story to be overly graphic in more ways than one. I still highly recommend this.
It is very clear from early on why this was a New York Times notable book. The writing is fabulous and the characters are entertaining. The book also tackles some very tough subjects in a thoughtful, provoking way. I do have to say that I may have given this book 5 stars, but I found Lucille's story to be overly graphic in more ways than one. I still highly recommend this.
howifeelaboutbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was my second Childress novel read, and I liked it much more than "One Mississippi". If anything, this novel is even more unbelievable - Peejoe's aunt cuts off her husband's head and carries it in a hatbox to Hollywood with her. However, that crazy element gives the story depth and a little humor, which is a nice contrast to the story of Peejoe, left back in the South to deal with the race issues that run so deeply there.
annamack's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
awagsz's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I really enjoyed reading this book, and it made me reflect on modern day events in ways I wasn't expecting to. I enjoyed the two different narrators providing two interlaced stories, and I found myself feeling connected to them. Although I didn't like the ending because nothing worked out as I hoped, I still very much enjoyed the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Gore and Incest
kamisha's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this! It was such a pleasant surprise because I picked it up not knowing anything whatsoever about it and ended up being completely drawn in by the story. It is quirky, funny, dark and sad. On the one hand a coming of age story about a young boy in Alabama growing up during the time of civil rights and MLK, while on the other hand the story of one woman‰ŰŞs awakening of self via some pretty dark events. Childress has managed to portray really serious, hefty topics while also maintaining a quirkiness that adds a redeeming quality to the story.
raehink's review
5.0
Lucille is on her way from Alabama to Hollywood to become a star on The Beverly Hillbillies. She has poisoned her husband and has his head in a Tupperware container which she keeps with her at all times. Childress does an excellent job of capturing the flavor of the turbulent 1960s as well as making the horrific seem comedic. My favorite scene involves Lucille, the Tupperware, a formal get-together and a yappy little dog. I laughed and cried through this novel.
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