The Warmest December

WOW! Is an understatement!

The Warmest December -

POWERFUL! GRIPPING! Entering your heart without hesitation, Bernice L. McFadden takes you through A daughter’s alcoholic family life, from present to past, to present, finding a forgiveness that tears at your skin, demanding to be there, owning its residency. A must read for anyone who takes real literature seriously.
McFadden’s exemplary writing and compelling story will hold onto you until you turn the last page - I felt every last word, from beginning to end.

Sometimes you just have to Forgive!!!

I thought this book was very good. It kept me intrigued by the telling of Kenzie's life and the really bad childhood she had. I wish Malcolm made it though. The book made me think of my own childhood and it taught me that I need to forgive in order to move on.

Great read from start to finish!

I was shopping at a bargin outlet and found this book on sell for $5.00. I've heard of Bernice McFadden, but never read anything by her. This book made me cry, angry, joyful, and laugh. It is a great read and I highly recommend it.

Good Read!!!!Had a hard time reading through the abuse, but in the end it was well worth it!!!!

THIS WAS A GOOD BOOK. I FIRST TRIED TO READ THIS BOOK ABOUT 4 YRS AGO AND HAD A HARD TIME READING ABOUT ABUSE THIS FAMILY ENDURED. BUT A FRIEND ENCOURAGED ME TO PICK THIS BOOK BACK UP AND GIVE IT A TRY. I MUST SAY IT WAS WELL WORTH IT. THIS BOOK WAS DEFINATELY AN EYE OPENER. IF THE NARRATOR OF THIS BOOK WAS ABLE TO FORGIVE THROUGH ALL THE PAIN SHE ENDURED IN HER LIFE, ALMOST ANYONE CAN LEARN TO FORGIVE AND LET YOUR HEART RID ITSELF FROM THE WEIGHT OF PAIN AND TRAGIC EPISODES IN YOUR LIFE!!!! THIS A GOOD BOOK FOR ANYONE AND A MUST READ.....

Gotta be the best !

This had to be one of the best stories told on actual life, I really enjoyed the book and all credit is due to the author!

sadly depressing

I thought 'Warmest December' was a excellent book but very depressing, it made me look back into my own childhood and thanked God for not knowing such sadness. I highly recommen this book, if your heart can take it. I love her work, very detailed.

The Warmest December Pierces The Coldest Of Hearts

Bernice L. McFadden's novel takes a candid look into the lives of women suffering around the world and brings it home for all to witness. I had trouble reading it, because of how personal the book had become, a mirror of my own life. For anyone who has survived a life of abuse, read this book and smile because you overcame your troubles. And, for anyone who hasn't gone through such an ordeal read The Warmest December and feel compassion for those who have.

Confusing at First, but read in a weekend!

This book was confusing at first; going from past to present, then became a easy read. It was suspenseful waiting to see what the deal was with Malcom. I did enjoy the book although it is very sad with the abuse she, her brother and mother took. I think that the book could have been a little longer and got into her adult life more.

Moving account of abuse and the struggle to heal...

This is an excellent work of how alcoholism and child abuse scars inside and out. I so enjoyed the writing style. McFadden gets to the point and the reader feels the sharp pain as Kenzie recounts her harsh upbringing and her attempts to ease the pain. Inevitably, she and her mother turn to alcohol and they stumble like zombies through lives that they don't know how to fix. This is a very moving work, excellently written.

Underdeveloped....

This book was not horribly bad, but i think it just lacked something. The author focused too much on the abusive 'past' of Kenzie's life along with her parents, but she failed to focus on what obstacles made it impossible for Kenzie to get by in her current life. We know she was on welfare and things like that, but this was a girl who had been educated from a prominent boarding school and went on to college.....this is not typical history for a welfare recipient. I mean I am aware of the acholism she had to endure due to the environment she was exposed to as a child, but I think the author exaggerated the consequences that Kenzie dealt with because although her father was way worse off than she was as an alcholic he still managed to provide financially for the most part of her childhood. I think the author left out a great deal of information that would tie the main points of the novel together. I also thought the ending was too abrupt and predictable. Also the whole 'what-happened-to-Malcolm suspense' was over-rated...the author could have cut to the chase a bit earlier in the story. I read this book first because it was the only one of the author's 3 books that were held in my local library. I have heard rave reviews for Sugar and Bitter Earth, but Im not sure if I want to read them after being a bit disapointed with this novel. To each is own, this is just my personal opinon.

Really grabbed a hold of my heart

I'm a true fan of Bernice McFadden, for she won me with Sugar. When I saw 'This Bitter Earth', and that it was a continuation of Sugar's life I got goosebumps at what was going to be said next in this girls life.....But I got a hold of Warmest December and let me tell you, this woman is fabulous as to how she tells Kenzie's story through the eyes of her childhood all the way through her battling her addiction/abusive behavior.....This book truly touched my heart in a way that I didn't expect for it had me feeling the very same way she felt, compassion for those who had in fact been abusive too........Family....Read this novel and you to will in fact be touched by the infirmity of this family or you may even find youselves on these pages allowing you to let go and also experience 'The Warmest December'

Wow!! Explosive, Heartbreaking and gut-wrecnhing..

What an explosive, heartbreaking but touching story, The Warmest December turned out to be. The story focuses on the lives of Hy-Lo(Hyman) and Della Lowe and their children. Della, Kenize and Malcolm helplessly try to survive the abuse they suffer at the hands of Hy-Lo. You see the pain they endure and the effects it has on each of them as the years come and go. Kenzie narrates the story for us and takes us a on journey of what it's like to be a child in an abusive home. She attempts the process of healing and wonders if, she can forgive not only her father but, also her mother(Della) who makes a tear-jerking confession to her daughter towards the end of the book. While reading this book, you see just how genocidal their abuse was and why, when you meet Gywenth Lowe and the other members of the Lowe clan. I thank Bernice for bringing this story to light and for doing such a beauitful justice to it. I hope this story gives insight to many and helps abused victims with their healing and renewal process. I also hope this story will empower their families and friends as well. Thanks so much Bernice for the wonderful read.

Totally Mesmerizing...

'The Warmest December' is a spell-binding emotional rollercoaster... McFadden vividly takes her readers into the tormented world of Kenzie Hayman. Powerfully written. Read it and tremble... Bernice McFadden is Brilliant!

RECOMMEDED READING TO ALL

This was briliantly written. McFadden keeps you reading without ever wanting to put the book down. It was very heartbreaking to see how a parent can wreck a home and lives and on the other hand how to forgive. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND!!!

She's done it again!

Incredibly vivid and expertly written, Ms. McFadden weaves a tale of violence, struggle, forgivness, and strength that will only have you putting it down only to dry your tears.

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No text was provided for this review.