‘The Twelve Tribes of Hattie’ by Alana Mathis

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie��– Alana Mathis

This tale is an atmospheric read, richly detailed and well observed. It recounts the trials and tribulations of a family who escape from Georgia in the 1920���s and find a kind of refuge in Philadelphia. The matriarch has come from a relatively well-to-do family, and despite ambitions to better herself and her family, finds herself trapped in relentless poverty, having to put softness on hold while she cares for her expanding family.

I found the narrative easy to get along with, and engrossing. There is much to learn, too, within the pages of this tale, about attitudes. Clearly, this is a subject close to the author���s heart, and one which will resonate widely.

Cleverly, the tale is weaved around the stories of each of the children. However, as the story progressed, I felt myself disengaging, ever so slightly, perhaps because, as a device, switching points of view works well, but is hard to sustain through a whole novel. Characterisations were��sharp and well observed, but towards the end, the device of ���one chapter, one child��� felt as if it had become hard to sustain.

We get glimpses of real brutality from Hattie, set against a background of business-like disinterest, with no time for expressions of affection or love. Perhaps, then it is unsurprising that the children seem to come out of their experiences totally traumatised. The eldest twins die, the oldest surviving son is promiscuous and tormented about his sexuality, one child is badly burnt in a bath of hot water, one child is given away, one child endures years of sexual abuse, one is a deeply disturbed alcoholic, one child contracts life-threatening TB and two children develop mental illness. It may be na��ve to ask, but, is there no happiness in poverty? Apparently none of dad’s easy-going nature rubbed off on the kids, either. And yet, from the mind of the most disturbed child come such vivid and interesting passages of colour and startling insight.

I did gain a lot from reading this novel, and I am happy to recommend it, but please remove rose tinted glasses. There is much to learn, but little to rejoice in.