Helpful Score: 3
When I was 16, The Coldest Winter Ever was one of the first pieces of urban fiction that I read and right away I loved it. Having read it again 10 years later, even though the writing hasn't grown with me, the story and the message still resonates today.
The voice that Souljah gave Winter is still there. She is well- written, raw and real. She definitely shares my blood and could have even been me once upon a time. She's the pretty girl with the bad attitude, incredibly clever and perceptive, but misguided and immature. Both her mother and father taught her that to be the best she had to have the best and the best man for her was one that would cater to her materialism.
Just about every character from Winter's neighborhood (including Winter herself) are prime examples of the crippling loop that minorities fall into in this country. We are not taught any better therefore we don't know any better, can't imagine any better and ultimately we won't achieve any better. But before I get carried away on my soapbox, I will just leave you with my opinion that Souljah has written an engrossing social commentary that is still a reality for many of our youths.
Since Winter was one of my first experiences with urban fiction, for me this book set the bar. 10 years later, having read tons of urban fiction (and ultimately giving up on them because any have yet to compare), this book is still the standard.
The voice that Souljah gave Winter is still there. She is well- written, raw and real. She definitely shares my blood and could have even been me once upon a time. She's the pretty girl with the bad attitude, incredibly clever and perceptive, but misguided and immature. Both her mother and father taught her that to be the best she had to have the best and the best man for her was one that would cater to her materialism.
Just about every character from Winter's neighborhood (including Winter herself) are prime examples of the crippling loop that minorities fall into in this country. We are not taught any better therefore we don't know any better, can't imagine any better and ultimately we won't achieve any better. But before I get carried away on my soapbox, I will just leave you with my opinion that Souljah has written an engrossing social commentary that is still a reality for many of our youths.
Since Winter was one of my first experiences with urban fiction, for me this book set the bar. 10 years later, having read tons of urban fiction (and ultimately giving up on them because any have yet to compare), this book is still the standard.
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