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6th out of 97 books
—
180 voters
Mama
The explosive novel that introduced #1 New York Times bestselling author Terry McMillan-now in a new trade edition.
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
December 6th 2005
by NAL Trade
(first published 1987)
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The very first time I heard about Terry McMillan’s debut novel, Mama, was in my African-American literature class in college. The book was not on our reading list but McMillan’s name came up in a discussion where the professor stated that Mama was some her best writing. I held that statement in the back of my mind for years. After reading Getting to Happy, McMillan’s latest novel, I decided to read Mama.
The story is being told by Mildred the matriarch of the Peacock family and the main characte...more
The story is being told by Mildred the matriarch of the Peacock family and the main characte...more
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This book is about Mildred, a black woman who is trying to raise her five children all on her own. The family is poor and as they continue to struggle, Mildred tries to have faith that things will get better. I thought this was a touching story of the love a mother has for her children and I admire Mildred for being strong despite her situation. After reading this book, I became a fan of Terry McMillan!
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This is my first time reading a Terry McMillan book, and I'm also aware that this was her first book. Hopefully that little fact makes all the difference in the rest of her books. On to the story, Mama is a good book. I just had high hopes on the book because I'm a fan of Terry McMillan as a person. My biggest problem with the book was that it wasn't developed enough. There were so many points where I wish she would have elaborated on more. I saw that this mostly happened at the end of chapters...more
May 29, 2011
Jo
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Jo by:
My Mum
Shelves:
modern-fiction
My Mum bought this for me in '92 when she was at Hillcroft college. I remember it was an quick read in terms of pace and a slice of harsh reality in terms of ambition and attainment of creating a better life as a woman on her own. The sacrifices, the costs to the soul the choices we make. I remember being grateful of my Mum, failings included, and mindful of her struggles in getting us where we were.
I went on to read Disappearing Acts and Waiting to Exhale and whilst these novels were of the sa...more
I went on to read Disappearing Acts and Waiting to Exhale and whilst these novels were of the sa...more
This is a gutsy, sassy, funny story about a tough mother attempting to raise her large, impoverished family. Mildred is earthy and strong and never stops trying to push her children to achieve more than she believed she ever could. In the words of an "Essence" review, "MAMA is unapologetic about exposing the pain that blacks can inflict on themselves and one another..." I was somewhat disappointed that Mildred was unable to find the strength to overcome her own weaknesses when the opportunities...more
I started reading this book in grade school, after I finding it in the school library, but never finished. It wasn't until a few years later that I picked it up again, after my brother brought it home from school. I went out, bought my own copy and then passed it around to my mom and sister. We all took something from the story and enjoyed it so much, that we took on characters from the book. I was given the character Freida (whether I wanted it or not) who I still have some things in common wit...more
Mama; Mildred Peacock, proud black woman! She's broke. Lives in a poverty-stricken neighborhood in a broken down house. After a violent fight, she puts out her no good violently abusive husband!! And rightly so, because even though he didn't have a job, he kept a mistress!! Mama is 27 with 5 children. I loved this book as it was Terry McMillan' first novel!!! It was the hottest book back in the day being read by so many. Also, though this is a sad situation, Mama is portrayed as one who struggle...more
The family portrayed here made me feel bad, made me wish for better but certainly felt very real. I think these are people we all know. They may be members of our families. I have 3 copies of this book. Accidentally, I loaned one out and it never came back to me and I kept replacing that copy, lol. This book is just too good not to own. It is a far cry from some the superficial books that I have read that have tried to cover similar subject matter, with not as much success.
Im glad Mildred divorced her jealous husband, she deserves someone better than him. Im glad that she continued her life with her 5 five kids after everything she been through her entire life. Im proud of her older daughter because she traveled different places, so she coudl decided what college to attend too. Also im surprised that she didnt have no baby!
If you want to cry and feel a sense of pride while crying this is the story. This is a journey for both the mother and her children during the 1950's. ( dont quote me on the exact date/ its been a while since I read it) I really loved this book. It was the first book of McMillians that I read and I've read all of her books since then.
It's not for me to enjoy Terry McMillan. I have tried, and I have found that she is like a person who is telling you a story about people you don't care to know at all. When the story is over, you feel like you have wasted your time listening (or reading in this case) to a story about people you don't care.
Because I never get invested in her characters, I don't care for her books. I'm glad that I read this because I found what it was that I do not like about her writing.
Because I never get invested in her characters, I don't care for her books. I'm glad that I read this because I found what it was that I do not like about her writing.
This book was amazing. A young mother with five children who struggled to make ends meet for her kids. I have actually meet women like Mildred very strong driven and wanted to see her kids do better in life even if she did act like there best friend instead of the mother at times.
this is one of my favorite books. i have read this at least five times since 1995 and now own it in hardcover. i love the characters and how the author does a great job at creating real emotions and situations for this family and their dynamics.
i think terry mcmillan's best work...
i think terry mcmillan's best work...
mama is a very passion book.It shows me how to love and how to show copassion towards my kids when i have them 20 years from now.MRS.MCmillian has a very kind and loving heart to put these charcters in this promblem which is the mother is trying to love,comfort.and respect her children and at the same trying to love her self and respect herself.
I read this on my own back in the summer of 8th/going to 9th grade. I couldn't put it down the moment I began reading it. I had never read anything like it before. Terry McMillan is a genius at what she does. It was deep, emotional, and so real. A really great read.
this book was OK. the family story was good but to me it was the same thing reoccurring over and over. Mildred can't pays her bill, so she moves to Cali. Mildred gets bored and can't pay her bills so she moves back. I honestly thought Mildred's troubles would have transitioned better and then she would over come them, but I guess not. 2.5 stars
I read this book when I was about 9 or 10 years old... It was my introduction to "adult" literature. From that point on, I was hooked. Needless to say, I don't remember specifics, just the feeling and expansive impact it had on me. I'm thankful for that.
This was the first book that I read that actually made me believe I could be a writer too! Ms. McMillan inspired me and gave me hope that I could write stories for and about us in my own voice. So this is my way of paying homage to an idol!
I love, love , love this book!! One of my all time faves.....I've probably read it 20 times over the years...a book all single moms who have endured their own personal struggles and demons can relate to...
Ups and downs (mostly downs) in the life of this woman and her children. She lives her life too much through her kids, which is depressing. Also always looking for the perfect man. frustrating book
Terry captured my heart with this one, I can't even read it again because it makes me think of my grandma GOD rest her Soul who passed this year. It truly depicts the typical black family. I love it.
Mama was really Terry's debut. Many did not know of this wonderful story until her infamous Waiting to Exhale came out. Mama made me want to who McMillan was.
This is my favorite book by Terry McMillian! I have read it numerous times and plan to read it again and again! She should do a sequelor prequel.
This was a really good book. I read it for the first time about 20 yrs ago but iv'e read it a couple of times since then also.
One of my favorite Terri McMillan books of all time! She wasn't perfect but she was a mother and did what she had to for her kids
I just finished Mama, it is a very great book to read. The way she grabs the readers' attention was to the t. It was like a cliff hanger in every chapter, i just had to keep reading and reading.I can't wait to start reading more of her novels.
My favorite book by Terry McMillan. Borrowed it from my roommate while stationed in Korea.
I couldn't put it down!
I couldn't put it down!
One of my all time favorite books. I can re-read this book forever. Currently, working a screenplay for this book.
McMillan told a gripping story throughout the pages of 'Mama' I think its by far one of the best books she's written.
I remember reading this book, but it has been so long. I read this book sometime in the mid 90's.
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Terry McMillan is an African-American author. Her interest in books comes from working at a library when she was sixteen. She received her BA in journalism in 1986 from the University of California at Berkeley. Her work is characterized by strong female protagonists.
Her first book, Mama, was self-promoted. She achieved national attention in 1992 with her third novel, Waiting to Exhale, which remai...more
More about Terry McMillan...
Her first book, Mama, was self-promoted. She achieved national attention in 1992 with her third novel, Waiting to Exhale, which remai...more
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