Or is it just possible for life to beat you down so much so that you have nothing left to give your children except a place to stay, food to eat and a determination to survive? I can't find fault with Hattie Shepherd. Giving birth to your first children at the age of 19 in a new city can be ov Is there a limit on the amount of love a parent can have for their child? Giving birth to your first children at the age of 19 in a new city can be overwhelming. To find yourself giving birth years later at the age of 46 is surprising.
Then to turn around at 74 and find yourself mothering your grandchildren, is not an easy road. But how do you explain that to your children who only see you as cold and uncaring? Mathis dedicates chapters to the various offspring, but their interactions as children aren't explored as much as they are as adults. She wants you to see who they've become as a result of living in the house. I love the set up of the book. It feels like a compilation of short stories that are loosely tied together, with the only common thread being that Hattie and August have given birth to them.
With the exception of Alice and Billups, we see very little interaction among the siblings once they leave home. It's as if Hattie's lack of love spread to them and there's nothing that bonds any of them together.
Part of the great migration to the north, I wonder how much of Hattie's coldness is a reflection of her surroundings. While her husband, August, longs for the Georgia he remembers, minus Jim Crow, Hattie refuses to even speak its name. Still, you have to wonder if August lamenting over leaving the south is valid. Would Hattie have been different, would the children have had different lives, had they been surrounded by paper shell pecans, sweet gum trees, gigantic peaches and neighbors whose names they could recite years later?
Dec 07, Kathy rated it liked it. I've read a lot of Oprah's book club books and I've enjoyed most of them. This was no exception and really I'd rate if 3. I read it on my kindle and was surprised when I turned the page and it was "acknowledgments", I wasn't ready for the story to end. I suppose there is no ending, that Hattie and her children's lives just continue on the same dysfunctional path because it's very difficult when people are born in poverty, oppression, and abuse to change.
Maybe there's hope fo I've read a lot of Oprah's book club books and I've enjoyed most of them. Maybe there's hope for Sala, just maybe Hattie does understand and is willing to do what it takes to change this cycle. Nov 10, Kim McGee rated it really liked it. It is not easy being a mother. It doesn't matter what year you were born, your race, your economic status and it doesn't matter how many children you have. Hattie knew her life wasn't going anywhere fast in Georgia in so she quickly flees to Philadelphia and marries only to have her life get more complicated instead of easier.
Her first joy is the birth of twins and her first and possibly greatest tragedy happens at their death from pneumonia. Each chapter is narrated by one of Hattie's ni It is not easy being a mother.
Each chapter is narrated by one of Hattie's nine surviving children. Through them we see a harsh side of her, her disappointment in life that shows itself at every turn and the love of her children which she keeps to herself.
Each narrative will break your heart and bind you to this close but vulnerable family. Book clubs would be wise to choose this book as it offers a myriad of discussion topics. I was lucky enough to receive an advance of this author's wonderful debut and it is scheduled to be published in January I so wanted to love this book. I thought from the synopsis I had found the "family saga" that I was craving. I think the idea behind this book, telling the story of one woman and each of her children was a wonderful beginning, but all in all it fell a bit flat for me by the time I got to the end.
Hattie escapes a not so wonderful childhood with hopes for a better life. Those hopes are quickly snuffed out and she seems to always be reaching for her d 3, maybe 3. Those hopes are quickly snuffed out and she seems to always be reaching for her dreams, but never grasping them.
Mathis paints a great picture of Hattie and I felt her slowly slip into acceptance that her life would never be what she hoped for. That said, I found her a bit cold and never really warmed to her.
The book is divided into narrations from each of her children. This really worked for me What did not work for me is that I became interested in their stories and then they were gone and I was moved on to the next child. I kept waiting for Mathis to bring them all back around later to see how they each ended up. I didn't feel I got that. Much like their Mother not connecting with them, I had trouble connecting to the book. That said, the writing was very well done.
There were some historic aspects as well as very descriptive settings and situations. I was able to envision what was going on and picture the scene. I was a bit disappointed overall, but it was a good debut. I would read her again. Dec 30, Rebecca rated it it was amazing Shelves: reviewed-bookkaholic , historical-fiction , best-of In the early years of the s, Hattie Shepherd longs to escape from Georgia, where her father was lynched.
This loss will haunt Hattie throughout the years to come, even though she bears nine more children who, together with the dead twins and a granddaughter, form the twelve tribes of the title — an explicit echo of the dozen tribes of Israel in the Hebrew Bible. Readers gain an intimate view of each of the children, but also of Hattie herself, through the composite, peripheral glances each chapter allows. Hattie is a troublesome yet compelling character; as cold as she often seems to her children, she feels things deeply.
This review formed part of an article on my Best Fiction Reads of for Bookkaholic. Jan 03, Courtney rated it did not like it Shelves: chose-not-to-finish. I would die before reading another book highlighted by Oprah. It made me feel like a sheep. Couldn't even make it past the first free bit. Come on people Oprah is a nice lady, but a novel should stand on it's own.
That's why I didn't like this book. I took this review down once because someone accused me of being a homophobe for not liking this book and frankly, I just don't want to be associated with the kind of people who run around calling strangers homophobes.
But you k I would die before reading another book highlighted by Oprah. But you know what? And I write reviews for my like-minded friends including my gay like-minded friends.
Good grief, I don't like mysteries either, but I don't hate people who do. I have a degree in Lit. I know books. I am also pretty sensitive to the idea of a sell-out. I don't like it. I'm a purist.
The craft above all! Take a chill pill, zealots. View all 26 comments. The book opens with a heart rendering tragedy which quickly captures the reader's interest. The great migration, the early 's and a mother with her three daughters move to Philadelphia to escape the Jim Crow south.
Things do not work out as planned, Hattie has a hard life but does manage to keep nine children alive with very little help. Hattie is a formidable character, she has a strength and resiliency that keeps her going, but this does not mean she does not carry hurts and scars. The stru The book opens with a heart rendering tragedy which quickly captures the reader's interest. The structure of this novel was a bit difficult for me to get used to at first.
It is divided and narrated in chapters by some of her children, her husband and Hattie herself. The ones narrated by Hattie were my favorite. This novel follows Hattie and her children for over a decade, and by the end of the book I really felt for Hattie and love the fact that even at the end of the book she never gives up hope. A well written first novel, told in very matter of fact prose, in somewhat of a different narrative style. Well worth reading. View all 3 comments. Jan 20, Nicolette rated it really liked it.
A good first effort for the writer. Despite being able to do that, I still felt that some of the characters were under-developed. I felt robbed with some stories, they ended so quickly without much substance while others were packed to the gills from beginning to end. In my own life experience, I've met Hattie and her tribe, multiple times.
In some cases some m A good first effort for the writer. In some cases some members of the tribes were able to rise above their beginnings and create a more successful end. I wish that had been the case for some of the members of Hattie and her tribe -- even if just one of them. Even reading this fictional account, there was the reminder that "life is difficult" Scott Peck. Life must be hard carrying around all that hurt, anger and dysfunction. But it doesn't have to be all difficult if we choose to acknowledge, then make positive changes to the negative aspect s of our situations that we've contributed.
I'll definitely read this book again, maybe not cover to cover -- in the order the book was published -- like I did this time. I'll definitely recommend this read to others. Oct 28, Debbie "DJ" rated it it was amazing Shelves: historical-fiction , cultural. This book drew me in right away. The story centers around an African American woman, Hattie, who leaves the south yet is still entrenched in it in many ways.
Most chapters focus on the life of one of her many children, and includes the date, which really gave me a perspective of life in those times, especially for someone of color.
I felt the whole story merged together nicely, and flowed in a way that kept me connected to all the characters. Reminiscent of Toni Morrison, the writing is superb. I'm a sucker for any character driven book, and this one was excellent.
Dec 08, Angela Ross Williams rated it it was ok. Completed the book on December 9. Interesting how author reflected the main character chapter by chapter. Interesting read that I relate to personally based on family and other connections during same era, culture and migration.
Can't wait for discussions to begin, I'm interested to see what others thought of the book as well. Now learned not to spoil for others still reading. Good reading, waiting to discuss!! Thank you. Mar 24, Krista rated it liked it.
I had mixed feelings while reading this book. It is really 12 short stories with a bit of overlap between the characters. It was well written and compelling at times, but I didn't have the opportunity to really get to know any of the characters or get very invested in their stories. Feb 06, Glenda rated it it was ok Shelves: books-read-in This book is divided into 12 chapters with each chapter being told by or about one of Hattie's children. The stories were well written and kept my attention, but were only connected through Hattie.
After the one chapter, that character was not heard from again. This left me wondering about how things turned out for each character, but we never find out. Each story is depressing and tragic. Hattie has a lot to deal with--poverty, a womanizing husband, and too many children to care for. She loses This book is divided into 12 chapters with each chapter being told by or about one of Hattie's children.
She loses the ability to be loving and tender. Contact us here. Or You can read more about us to see our vision. Check our ranking below. Sale Bestseller No. Bestseller No. Ida B. What benefits are there with buying an Twelve Tribes Of Hattie? What factors deserve consideration when shopping for an effective Twelve Tribes Of Hattie?
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One of the Best Works of Ayana Mathis. Published in February 20th the book become immediate popular and critical acclaim in politics, non fiction books.
Native American tribes.
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