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Steph
I don't agree. The book, while full of dark situations and issues, is beautifully written. I think that the fact that some people can't get through it speaks to how well its written (people are complaining about the subject matter, now how it's written). She makes you vividly see and hear things with her prose. I know some ppl are put off by the prostitution of children, but she's the LEAST explicit in those moments. Inferring what is going on but not being perverse.
W.
Are we reading the same book? This is an ugly story told with the most beautiful prose. I can hardly discern between prose and poetry. I couldn't put it down. I could read it again right now.
Katie
It is difficult to articulate my disgust for this book. This is not a book that I would suggest anyone read, and I believe Oprah got it VERY wrong. This book lacked a solid story line and went completely on shock value of the disgusting rape of children and women. Did we forget about how she went to NY to find her mother? She might have seen her then left? Maggie was such a big part of her life and she left her and we never hear anything until she passes? How did love conquer anything? Every person was brought into the book and immediately dropped out to bring back the horrible acts. Maggie, Ephram, her father, her mother....they all had quick cameos then were quickly forgotten. Main parts of the story line were dropped to focus on more shocking descriptions of rape and murder rather than following the story.
Megan
Definitely--although it has the components that Oprah likes to read all over it--oppression, submission, abuse, alcoholism, and the South. I stuck with it hoping for a redeeming ending. It wasn't worth the slog through all of the muck for those two paragraphs of positivity at the end. I can't recommend it to anyone.
Kate Hornstein
Just posted this review...Spoiler Alert!
Oprah said she brought back her Book Club for this one book because it was “like no other book she’s ever read.” Hmmm…that was enough for me. I went out and bought it, thinking about other books that could be like that: “Ulysses,” “Slaughterhouse Five,” “Invisible Man,” Faulkner anything, Virginia Woolf anything.
And then I get it, this book is unlike anything she’s ever read because it is a book that involves child prostitution/snuffing combined with witchcraft. Oh my, I made it through, just barely. And I have deep respect for the author who says she is a victim of human trafficking as a child and has worked with runaways. It’s a brave book that hits you over the head with graphic imagery and a grim worldview.
But for Oprah to say it’s “unlike anything she’s read” seems odd. It reminded me at times of “Ode to Billie Joe,” the movie, “Angel Heart,” and yes, “The Color Purple.” In fact, that’s the problem with this book--it tries to be too many things at once: a book about racism, a book about child abuse, a book about voodoo, and New York, and Texas, and the woods, etc.
And then there’s the nature imagery (the crows, the pine forest, the flowers) that seem to be thrown in with everything to make things more “literary.” I felt myself becoming extremely bored whenever the crows came along.
Cynthia Bond, you are a good writer; I would say--an excellent writer. The passages about Ruby in New York and Celia and her church would have been enough: well-written, great character studies. Or just the child prostitution piece. This is such a big, ambitious book that I am now anxious to read whatever comes next because I believe it is going to be better: less will be more and may be all you need. Rather than one story, you have a hundred.
Oprah said she brought back her Book Club for this one book because it was “like no other book she’s ever read.” Hmmm…that was enough for me. I went out and bought it, thinking about other books that could be like that: “Ulysses,” “Slaughterhouse Five,” “Invisible Man,” Faulkner anything, Virginia Woolf anything.
And then I get it, this book is unlike anything she’s ever read because it is a book that involves child prostitution/snuffing combined with witchcraft. Oh my, I made it through, just barely. And I have deep respect for the author who says she is a victim of human trafficking as a child and has worked with runaways. It’s a brave book that hits you over the head with graphic imagery and a grim worldview.
But for Oprah to say it’s “unlike anything she’s read” seems odd. It reminded me at times of “Ode to Billie Joe,” the movie, “Angel Heart,” and yes, “The Color Purple.” In fact, that’s the problem with this book--it tries to be too many things at once: a book about racism, a book about child abuse, a book about voodoo, and New York, and Texas, and the woods, etc.
And then there’s the nature imagery (the crows, the pine forest, the flowers) that seem to be thrown in with everything to make things more “literary.” I felt myself becoming extremely bored whenever the crows came along.
Cynthia Bond, you are a good writer; I would say--an excellent writer. The passages about Ruby in New York and Celia and her church would have been enough: well-written, great character studies. Or just the child prostitution piece. This is such a big, ambitious book that I am now anxious to read whatever comes next because I believe it is going to be better: less will be more and may be all you need. Rather than one story, you have a hundred.
Marcella
I've given up on trying to get through this. Two attempts and can't get past 4 chapters.
Caroline
Yup! She got it wrong!
A. White
We do not live in a perfect world. It would be very nice if we did. But the book mentioned a subject that actually happens in reality. All we have to do is look around to see it. I know this is a fictional story but in reality these things does happen.
Dee
That is exactly what I thought Camie. This is NOT an American Classic as Oprah stated in her magazine. It is very narrowly focused on child sexual abuse and neglect and religious hypocrisy. Working in the healthcare profession, I have read some heavy subject matter; but there should be warning labels for the explicit material because I wish I could get some of the images out of my head.
Kim
I also found it hard to get through this book.Most of it was due to the Dybou. However, I stuck with it, but I was troubled with the vivid description on pages 293-297. I don't think it was necessary.
Jonnell
While I think it's beautifully written, I just can't seem to get into this book. I'm probably going to put it down and come back to it and try again. Sometimes you just have to be in the right place/mind set to get into a book.
Tara
I'm planning on this one but find it confusing that most people are complaining that the subject matter is dark-since when has Oprah ever selected a cheerful book?
Don't get me wrong, many of her choices are quality reads and not all of them are for everybody(myself included) but if you're familiar with Oprah's Book Club selections, this is par for the course, in my opinion.
Don't get me wrong, many of her choices are quality reads and not all of them are for everybody(myself included) but if you're familiar with Oprah's Book Club selections, this is par for the course, in my opinion.
Mary Leavitt
I'm reading it now. The writing is strong but I agree she did get this one wrong. The story is very dark and odd.
Jeannie
I have a GR friend who felt exactly like you did. I am going to pass on this one.
Patricia Robinson
Oprah definitely did NOT get it wrong. She got it right. I absolutely loved this book. There were parts that were difficult to read, but I could not put it down. It's one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read. I read it twice in a row.
Allie Wyant
I had a hard time getting through this book and didn't enjoy it at all.
Lisa
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