The Twelve Tribes of Hattie

By: Ayana Mathis

Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo, Bahni Turpin, Adam Lazarre-White

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

A debut of extraordinary distinction: through the trials of one unforgettable family, Ayana Mathis tells the story of the children of the Great Migration, a story of love and bitterness and the promise of a new America.

In 1923, 15-year-old Hattie Shepherd flees Georgia and settles in Philadelphia, hoping for a chance at a better life. Instead, she marries a man who will bring her nothing but disappointment and watches helplessly as her firstborn twins succumb to an illness a few pennies could have prevented. Hattie gives birth to nine more children, whom she raises with grit and mettle and not an ounce of the tenderness they crave. She vows to prepare them for the calamitous difficulty they are sure to face in their later lives, to meet a world that will not love them.

Captured here in 12 luminous narrative threads, their lives tell the story of a mother’s monumental courage and the journey of a nation. Beautiful and devastating, Ayana Mathis’s The Twelve Tribes of Hattie is glorious, harrowing, unexpectedly uplifting, and blazing with life.

©2013 Ayana Mathis (P)2013 Random House Audio

compelling powerful

Would you consider the audio edition of The Twelve Tribes of Hattie (Oprah's Book Club 2.0) to be better than the print version?

an oprah book..heavy duty but very very compelling and a powerfull look at a
african american household mid 20th century with too many kids and an
oppresive mother

great performance...book needed more

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

There was no redeeming character throughout the book... no positives in the picture of society it painted. I know their lives were very difficult but wish the author had more compassion for the characters.

This was a lovely and hard book to listen to.

Fair warning, this is not an uplifting book. However, the characters are rich and their storylines are complex and messy, in the way that families often are. This was one that I could not turn off. It is definitely worth your credit.

I didn't care for this

I did not care much for this book. It seemed as though this book jumped around and it was sometimes hard to follow. I did not care for the narrators. I listened to this book up until the last chapter; at that point, I had had enough and wanted to listen to something I enjoyed more. Maybe this book would be more enjoyable if I read the book instead of listening to it. There are so many good books out there with amazing narrators! I was annoyed with myself that I used up a credit on this book. I do not recommend this.

Loved the different characters

Would you consider the audio edition of The Twelve Tribes of Hattie (Oprah's Book Club 2.0) to be better than the print version?

I started reading the book for my book club, but it didn't hold my attention enough to put aside chores in order to read it. When I downloaded the audiobook, I couldn't stop listening! So, yes, I would consider the audiobook better than print.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that the story was told by different characters in the book. It made the story more complete for me.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I have never listened to other stories by these performers.

If you could take any character from The Twelve Tribes of Hattie (Oprah's Book Club 2.0) out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I would take Floyd, the musician out to dinner because I love music. I would want to talk about the different places he has played and all of the interesting people he has encountered.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was a great listen.

very moving story I feel thier should be a part II

I wanted to here more about Six and Billiups and Floyd. I need to know what happened

Enjoyable Listen

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

This is a well written book, that really demonstrates the theory of "show don't tell". The author takes us through the life of Hattie and her descendants in a captivating way.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Twelve Tribes of Hattie (Oprah's Book Club 2.0)?

In the Alice and Billups chapter, when Alice finds out who Billups has been seeing (don't want to spoil this for anyone) and her reaction.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Bell.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie - "Descendants of Job"

Any additional comments?

As usual, Oprah picks a pretty depressing story. But it is well written and the performances are excellent. It was worth the time spent listening to it.

Mesmerizing layers of Hattie's life journey.

I found the book to be extremely telling of Hattie's soul journey. It took us to the very core of her being and it provided questions about harsh relationships with the women in my life, that I always found to be unnurturing. Chronocalling her truth in a manner that was fun, painful and heartwarming was pure genius. An excellent read; one to keep on the shelf and reread to search missed hidden treasures to be found in Ayana's writings of Hattie...all 12 tribes.

Great Read

This will be my third time reading this book and I always find something new .
Won’t regret it

A Different View

What did you love best about The Twelve Tribes of Hattie (Oprah's Book Club 2.0)?

I felt like this book was very well written. I went into the book knowing nothing about the story, and was amazed how well it is crafted. This really showed me a different kind of life that I have never been properly exposed to. There are so many horrific parts in the book that enraged me, and made me grateful for the day and age we live in now. Truly an enlightening book. Bravo.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Twelve Tribes of Hattie (Oprah's Book Club 2.0)?

I think the part when Six is shipped from home, and makes such a name for himself is the most memorable for me. I thought it was very ironic that he was curing people, giving them life, when he was so depressed and lifeless himself. Also near the end of the book Hattie refers to Six as "lost", that he was going to be a troubled soul forever. This was sad to me, because I feel like nobody is lost, with the right support anybody can get better.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This narrator was perfect for this book, because she brought the characters to life with the hint of accent.