Cynthia

Understand in a new way

Revisado: 07-13-18

OK, I have no experience with the world that Ta-Nehisi Coates describes in this letter to his son. I am a 67-year-old white woman, raised by a black woman who worked for my Texas family. I am ashamed that I never connected with her after she quit working for my parents who became too poor to afford a housekeeper/nurse/nanny/friend.

I cried at the descriptions of the ways that black men must train their children to act toward the American public.

I rejoiced when Mr. Coates found his place at Howard.

I worried when he sent his son into the world because, no matter what training he has received, it is still a dangerous place for black men and women.

Before I read this, I did not understand "Black Lives Matter." I thought to myself, "Well, don't ALL lives matter?"

I understand now. Please--read this book!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Oh, but for the end...

Revisado: 07-13-18

I don't want to be a spoiler, but everything about this novel was magnificent--except the end, which felt contrived. We read this for a book club, and the conversation about it never faltered. As I was reading, I received my DNA results--2% Nigerian! I recognized a probable "ancestor" in the book, and was a little ashamed, and a little relieved.

Still, read it! You won't be disappointed (at least until the last chapter)!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

How optimistic!

Revisado: 07-13-18

I have a Master's degree in special education, and for 8 years I was a teacher of students with emotional disabilities. Some have gone on to have wonderful careers and families and lives. Others, not so much. I saw in Eleanor so many of my former students, and it was a pleasure to re-visit them.

I loved Eleanor--her tenacity, her independence, and, ultimately, her dependence. She is unforgettable--as are many of my students. I am so glad we met!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Imagine you depressed...

Revisado: 07-13-18

I have experienced depression as two of the characters in the book. And I had a father who was bipolar, so much of the feelings in the book from the depressed to the children of the depressed was familiar to me. I appreciated the desperation of the father and son, and the frustration of the other members of the family. I did not doubt the reasons the mother married the father--I saw those reasons in my own mother.

The biggest complaint I have, honestly, is with both the narrators. I had to constantly figure out who was "talking" as every character sounded exactly the same! Why didn't the father have an English accent? Why did the mother and daughter and all three male characters sound exactly the same? After 13 years, I have come to expect more from the actors who portray the first-person narrators.

The story is good, but be prepared to be confused as to the narrator when stopping and re-starting this book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

I wish I could give more stars!

Revisado: 07-13-18

As a 67-year-old white female born and raised in Texas (and a retired high school English teacher), I think this is an outstanding novel that examines the frustrations of a young black woman in a way that I have never explored! I recently read Ta Nehisi Coates's amazing letter to his son, Between the World and Me, and found myself understanding as I never had the struggle from which I have blessedly been exempt.

However, I read this with my granddaughter, who will be a freshman at Kansas State, since it was their university read. Fiction can do so much to expand sympathy, and while I will never have a more paradigm-shifting experience than China Achebe's Things Fall Apart, this book is affecting and profoundly moving.

Further, though I have belonged to Audible for more than 13 years, I have NEVER heard a narrator as great as Bahni Turpin. Her voice changes with each character, and I ALWAYS knew who was talking. I am astounded that she voiced every character as each one has a clear and distinct voice! She is magnificent!

Thank you, Audible, for a life-changing reading experience! I will not be the same--and I can't wait for the movie, though it will not match the book, I am sure!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Thought-provoking

Revisado: 04-10-15

The story in the book is a search for God. I was fascinated by the progression of the sibyl's tale though I knew the end from the beginning. It was fascinating on many levels, however, and I can't wait to talk about it with others!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A Jarring Mystery

Revisado: 07-08-13

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

Yes. It is complex with fully realized characters and a whopping good mystery, too!

What did you like best about this story?

Caroline Lee was outstanding but not distracting in her performance. I knew each of the characters' voices quickly.

Which scene was your favorite?

I was fascinated by the scene presented at the beginning of the book that I always knew would be pivotal. I loved the end explaining that scene in greater detail.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Laurel described her relationship with her brother and how it had changed over the years because of the secret they were both keeping, I was reminded of how often relationships morph due to widely different reasons. In fact, I think this was a major theme of the book.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña