Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis



Wow!!
 
Hattie had eleven children.  Among them, Franklin, Ella, Bell and Cassie, to name a few.   I said “had” for a reason.  This story is about twelve of her family members, the twelfth being her grandchild. 

Each of her children have their own story and life to tell about.  One was stricken with tuberculosis, one had a bout with rage when his mother was spoken ill of and one had a homosexual encounter.

Hattie was passionate - when she made love to her husband August, when she showed no emotion to any of her children, and when she showed hatred towards her husband during their arguments.  She provided what she could of the basic necessities and that was that. 

I found this story to be so lifelike in all its dramatizations.  Each character was written with fierce emotion, nothing was held back.  There was death, infidelity and such emotional loss within each character. 

1 comment:

Unknown said...

You mentioned that she as passionate (in the way she made love to her husband, August) but was also unemotional to her children? I get passion during love making, I get passion (hatred) when arguing, however, to the children not so much. Can you elaborate on her distance towards her kids?