The Darkest Child

This book was so amazing and more than what I ever expected it to be. This book takes place in the era of the Civil Rights movement and is a realistic view from a outcast child. Tangy lives in a poor household with a single mother who has many children by different men. In the beginning she sees the world through a childs eyes and then certain circumstances and situations throughout the book make her wise beyond her years and makes her grow up faster then a child should grow. She is only 18 at the end of the book and you see she has a story to tell of a life you would never expect a child to go through. My favorite character in the book is Junior because this character made Tangy realize how smart she was and kept her mind on trying to better herself and her situation and was a great person for her to look up to. The Narrator also did an amazing job telling the story and making the audience feel as if they were a part of the story. I could see the scenes in my head and felt like I too was a child watching all the madness happening around me. Great book that I would recommend to everyone.

I read this book with my book club Mocha Girls Read and it was our selection for Black History Month. I have to say this was a hard read for me. I had a hard time getting caught up in all the craziness of the characters especially Rozelle aka Mama.

Rozelle's character is an over dominating, bipolar woman who has ten kids by ten different men from working in the "farmhouse". I was slightly disturbed by the "we know but it ain't our business" attitude the various people took regarding her abusive behavior toward the kids. I have found that some of it really rang true in the Black community but this book slaps it in your face. Rozelle's best and only friend Ms. Pearl knows she is abusing her kids and does nothing but buy them a pair of white socks for their birthdays.

This book is full of family drama steaming from Rozelle's crazy actions. She is the character that propels action in ever single person and sometimes lack of action.

For me personally this book has too many characters and was missing the big climax. There were so many small climaxes in this book within various circles of people involved but nothing really happened as a result of all the drama. As Oprah would say, there was no big Aha! moment for the characters as a whole or the town.
This was a great first time novel for Delores Phillips but the story was interesting in parts and missing something for me as a whole.

The narrator did an AMAZING job of reading this book. I loved her voice and it suited this book, location and time period perfectly!

The Darkest Child by Delores Phillips is soul wrenching horrendous. One would never believe that a Mother could so deeply harm a child, let alone "10" of them, emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally. Rozelle is a woman who is Pure Evil! She cares for no one, not even herself. Unfortunately, the reader never finds out why Rozelle is the way she is. She's hateful, spiteful, souless, and completely mental. She has 10 children by 10 different men. Most are as white as she is with one being what she calls "A Dummy" and the other "Dark as her tires". This is a Mother who pimps her sons and prostitutes her daughters.

They lived in a small town in 50's and 60's back when there were signs of segregation and blacks were no longer slaves but instead paid slaves, maids. The people in the town had just grown accustomed to the way things were and weren't looking nor asking for change. And when one does he dissappears. There are many complex characters in this story. It is a page turner for sure. I just couldn't stop reading about this mass of disfunction.

I was disheartened to learn that Ms. Phillips hasn't written another novel. I wouldn't have thought from the texture and complex nature of this novel, it was her first. I'm sure I wont forget this book any time soon. It is hard for me to write this review without giving away spoilers. There's just too much to tell. Pick this book up. You wont be dissappointed.

I could not wait to get in my car each morning and listen to this audio, I enjoyed this book so much, it stayed on my mind long after I finished it. The story just brings out all kinds of emotions in you. I would love to read more from this author, I highly recommend this book!!!!

Yes, a million times! This was an awesome story, hated for it to end.

My favorite character was Mussie. Her character is older and shows the true outcome of most people who have lived the life she lived.

I would take Tan out. She is intelligent and I would love to teach her so much more!

This story is a very dark read. It is amazing to see what an abusive mother can do to a family. The mother had 10 children and kept most of them under her spell, even though she had her favorites, she abused her children, and sold out her daughters to men for money and favors. This story kept you wanting more, trying to see if the children would ever get away or stand up to her.

I was devistated when the mother threw baby Judy off of the porch and she died. She then made it seem as though the baby slipped out of her hands. All of the children knew the truth and most of the people in town, but no one said a word or no one saved the other children.

Love the audio version

This book stayed on my mind a few days after I finished.

I could not put this book away! I listened and listened I cried, laughed and yelled at many of the characters in this book. Despite the tragedies and there are many , I really loved the ending.

I found this story to be shocking. I was astounded by the mother's behavior. Really, it was hard to stop listening. I found the end to be satisfying also.

This was a good read. Could not believe the devil mother. Did not like the end.