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Book Review of The Twelve Tribes of Hattie

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie
Chocoholic avatar reviewed on + 291 more book reviews


This book reads like something that Zora Neale Hurston or Toni Morrison might have written. This is the story of Hattie and her husband, August. She moves to Philadelphia during the great migration and gives birth to a pair of twins who don't survive long enough to celebrate their first birthday. Afterwards, Hattie gives birth to ten more children, who grow up to become a variety of colorful figures. Each chapter is told from the POV of one of her children (and one grandchild) and relates their experiences, but in the background of each story, you learn a little more about Hattie and August, so the book is really about the family. Some reviewers have said that they never heard anything more about certain characters after their chapter, but I don't think that they were paying attention, as other family members relate what happened to their siblings, in their own chapters. It's really the story of family and it is a really interesting read. Also a pick for Oprah's book club, if you're into that.