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reading is my hustle's Reviews > The Twelve Tribes of Hattie
The Twelve Tribes of Hattie
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Allegorical novel about slavery and race. Uses biblical references (twelve tribes of Israel) in the same vein as Toni Morrison.
Bleak.
But, then Oprah loves her some cheerless storytelling.
Bleak.
But, then Oprah loves her some cheerless storytelling.
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The Twelve Tribes of Hattie.
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Reading Progress
April 1, 2013
–
Started Reading
April 1, 2013
– Shelved
April 1, 2013
– Shelved as:
fiction
April 9, 2013
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Finished Reading
July 1, 2019
– Shelved as:
fiction-domestic
January 6, 2021
– Shelved as:
bipoc
Comments Showing 1-8 of 8 (8 new)
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Petra: hiatus, finding it hard to communicate
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Apr 18, 2013 08:30AM
Oprah loves books about race in general.
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Petra X wrote: "Oprah loves books about race in general."Yes, and triumph over circumstance- all with a huge dose of the nitty gritty details of abuse.
I used to like Oprah before she got slim, she was real. Then she got slim and thought that she should be a guide to the world on how to live properly and I went off her.
Petra X wrote: "I used to like Oprah before she got slim, she was real. Then she got slim and thought that she should be a guide to the world on how to live properly and I went off her."She does love the self-help machine. AND, her favorite mantra::Live your best life!
What did you find allegorical about this book? I can't figure out what you mean.
Linda wrote: "What did you find allegorical about this book? I can't figure out what you mean."She uses the biblical story (found in Genesis: 12 Tribes of Israel) of Hagar (slave mother) to tell the story of Hattie and her husband who are looking to start a new life and new beginning at the start of the Great Migration (getting out of bondage & into freedom). Hattie goes on to have twelve children (who are dependent on her) which is an allegory for 12 Tribes of Israel.
Elizabeth, I like your idea of her using the bibiical story of the Twelve tribes, which I supposed from the beginning was the idea for the book. But they were the descendants of Sarah, not Hagar. In fact, you mention the "slave mother" Hagar who was cast into the desert by cruel Sarai, but actually God saved Hagar and her son just as they were about to die. That's the part of the book I was floored by: that when it seems Hattie, August and the granddaughter may find some true sustenance (and maybe learn some forgiveness that might bring some peace in their old age) Hattie grabs Sala back and refuses to allow her to partake of some hope. I was going to lead this in my book club but now I think they would rebel against it so I'm wavering. I just finished it last night and was so shocked by the ending. What do you think the author intends by her ending?
June wrote: "Elizabeth, I like your idea of her using the bibiical story of the Twelve tribes, which I supposed from the beginning was the idea for the book. But they were the descendants of Sarah, not Hagar. I..."june- we definitely have different takes on this book & i love it! i understood that g*d saved hagar but she was cast out (in this book the great migration) & the twelve tribes are actually sara's descendants but again allegory. i remember thinking the ending was a hopeful one. i think she stops sala from going up to the altar because she doesn't want sala to think anything is wrong with her. hattie finally reaches out in a way she never could with her children & that hattie's twelfth tribe (granddaughter sala) will have a better life because of it.
FWIW i think you should still lead your book group discussion on this one. the best books to discuss are the ones that spark debate. so glad you commented! :)
