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

A mother's pain

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

The varied saga of Hattie's life. Eeach character was unique in the drama of thebook. Each tells its own story as one of Hatties children.

If you’ve listened to books by Ayana Mathis before, how does this one compare?

This is my first and I enjoyed listening to the work of Ms. Mathis and was very pleased. Great writing, performance and narrating.

Which scene was your favorite?

I had a few; the death of Philadelphia and Jubilee; Six as a preacher in Alabama and Floyd and Lafayette, Lawrence and Bell and Hattie. They all sound like real-life dramas.

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

"And they say"

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed listening to this book. I did not know what to expect. Thought it was just another slavery story but was very pleased with the build-up of the characters and the performances and narrations were great! I gathered strength from Hattie and her woes. I was surprised by the abrupt ending which led me wonder if a second book is in the making. In all of the hurt that Bell felt toward Hattie, Hattie was there for Bell in the end.
Great work Ms. Mathis

Perfect for audio

I am glad that I listened to this book because I don't think I could have stuck with it in print. Given the Oprah connection, I am happy to have it in my library. Parts of it I loved, but other parts....

Nice introduction to Ayana Mathis

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, I enjoyed listening to this book.

Would you be willing to try another book from Ayana Mathis? Why or why not?

Yes, I would read another book from this author. Hopefully "Tribes" was an appetizer to more "meaty" work.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I would not say this narrator added nor took away from this book. She performed as expected.

Did The Twelve Tribes of Hattie (Oprah's Book Club 2.0) inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

This book had an interesting storyline and started out well. As the tale went along I felt the author got sloppy with her writting. I found it confusing when the children were introduced at random times, as adults. There was no history to reflect on to understand the characters and their flaws except that they were the offspring of Hattie. Each lacked dimension and I found myself asking out loud, "What's going on?" I see the direction the author was headed in but she just didn't seem to get there completely. Overall, this was an ok book. No where close to terrible but not amazing. Hattie was a very sad, angry woman that probably should of never had one child let alone twelve. Unfortunately the reader wasn't privey to the root cause of her anger and sadness.

Great story! Thoroughly enjoyed it!

If you could sum up The Twelve Tribes of Hattie (Oprah's Book Club 2.0) in three words, what would they be?

The story was very entertaining, an easy read, the story kept you engaged throughout.

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

The ending when Hattie realize that the cycle of hardships that surrounded her family had to be broken with her grand daughter.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene when she lost her twins, most memorable and sad. this was the catalyst of Hattie's depth of sadness.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, I had all sorts of feelings, sadness, mostly, for what her children experienced as a result of Hattie's issues.

Any additional comments?

Great book, it give you a lot to think about, how people internalize deep rooted feelings that have a fundamental impact on others lives.

UNIQUE AND FRESH

it puts a hook in you and won't let you go. the only thing that I regret is that I didn't find out what happened to the baby she gave to her sister but then again the book had to end

Alluring

Impossible to put down once you connect with the main character Hattie. You'll cycle through feelings of impathy, disapproval, victory, and understanding resolution. Great read!

Well performed !

Good story but the ending left me wanting more. This is a great example of how large families sometimes struggle.

Brilliant, heartfelt and inspiring

I’m not even sure where to start this review. After reading the first chapter I was a little heartbroken I put the book down for a bit. But I had to know more so I picked it up and continue to read or listen. Each chapter I wanted more. Each chapter captivated me and kept my interest I wanted to know more about each character. It’s almost like each child could have a book of their own. I’d love to see this made into a miniseries. You won’t be disappointed!

12 Tribes

The story was engaging, all of the charactors were described perfectly and the narration was excellent.

Abrupt ending

The story was slow at times, but quite good, woven together like and old quilt. But the ending seemed very rushed and abrupt.