A Day Late and a Dollar Short

By: Terry McMillan

Narrated by: Terry McMillan

Length: 15 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The Prices are introduced by Viola, the family's outspoken matriarch: Her husband, Cecil, has shut the door behind him for the last time; and their four adult kids, scattered across the country, seem determined to send her to her grave, or at least to the hospital with worrying. Paris is divorced, mother to a nearly seventeen-year-old son and the one who always comes to everybody's rescue, although she doesn't have a clue as to how to save herself. Lewis is the scapegoat, and his troubles keep landing him in jail, which only seems to confirm what his family thinks he is. Out in Chicago, Charlotte knows she's gotten the short end of the stick for years, has "nothing in common except blood" with her parents and siblings and would just as soon divorce them all. Janelle, the baby of the family, is not only on the defensive about the course of her own life but she's facing a new crisis, a fast-brewing storm with her teenage daughter that threatens more than she's willing to admit. And don't even ask Viola about Cecil: "He's a bad habit I've had for thirty-eight years which would make him my husband." But Cecil has some ideas for taking his hardworking life into his own hands, regardless of what his wife and kids think about it.

©2001 Terry McMillan (P)2001 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A glorious novel...without question, this is McMillan's best." (The Washington Post)

"McMillan has the uncanny ability to render family conflict with both humor and compassion...a life-affirming read...a triumph." (The Los Angeles Times)

 "[McMillan] in top form." (The New York Times Book Review)

This book is great.

Instead of having one person tell the whole story, Terry McMillan allows all of the major characters to tell the story. The mother begins telling the story. She then describes her (family) husband, children, and grandchildren in a way that only a mother, wife, and grandmother can. It was downright hilarious. To my surprise,however, the husband and children tell their opinions on the family and themselves. When you see how the family sees a person as opposed to how the person sees themselves you begin to think about some of the attitudes you have towards members of your own family. The beginning of the book will have you cracking up and by the end you will be in tears.

I love this book!

I read this book many years ago and wanted to read it again. Hearing this book in this format made it new to me again. I loved it!

Another Black Woman

This book was awesome! so realistic! So many black families suffer in the same ways, but the love is always there. What I heard was a generation not knowing how to show love but only one way. It didnt work for everybody and so they struggled. It is unfortunate that we learn true thoughts and feelings in death. Thank God for a different generation. We have learned new terms and ways to express both verbally and physically the love we have for our children and family.

Awesome

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well written and beautifully narrated. Wonderful storyline, from start to finish.

Phenomenal

This book was truly enjoyable. The different narrators made it even better. Read with character. Some parts of the story really hit home for me.

Loved it!

The novel and the performance were both amazing. I laughed and I cried! I'll definitely be recommending!

Thumbs up for real life!

I laughed, I cried, I got mad, I found relief, I wanted to help someone, and it may make my life in my later years just a little better. Thank you Terry. Oh,... reader is fantastic. All your readers are on target.
Love you.
p.s. keep writing!!!!!!!!!

Heart Touching Family Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Good story line, lots of characters, narrating is excellent.

What other book might you compare A Day Late and a Dollar Short to and why?

Her last book, Who Asked You Anyway, it was another book that surrounds family.

Which scene was your favorite?

Family reading each others letters. Touching.

If you could take any character from A Day Late and a Dollar Short out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Paris, the dinner conversation be so interesting; & she would know her way around the menu.

High School Juniors and Seniors/ Great Listening

I thought because the book was short it wouldn't have much to say or good info. But, I was wrong!
I have a new grad who thought she knew it all, until she listened to this book. And, now she is a little bit more humble and listens to my suggestions. Sometimes it takes another VOICE in order to be heard.

Terry McMillan did it again!

Another audiobook on Terry McMillan work has a BIG THUMBS UP! Again, I am cheering for the main character of Terry McMillan! This audiobook kept me interested in the lives of the main characters and I find myself shaking my head, saying to myself..."uh huh... yepper.. [with a roll to the neck]..." :) Great job on yet another successful book by Terry McMillan!

Keeping it real

This book explores the dynamics of family life in a way that really resonates.
It shares a range of perspectives that left me entertained, emotional and reflective.
Really enjoyed

Great story but awful recording

This was difficult to listen to at times because it seemed to have a fuzzy echo on the recording but I powered through and it was everything I expected from Terry xXx

Slow burner

It started really slowly, but as the story develops. It was a wonderful story about the highs and lows of family life. Really resonated with me.