Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781937650162 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Small Batch Books |
| Publication date: | 09/07/2012 |
| Pages: | 348 |
| Sales rank: | 417,905 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.80(d) |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Hattie
4.6 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
9 reviews.
 |
HATTIE the novel is a very special story that instantly and consistently draws the reader in. Its power comes not only from Hattie's recollection of thoughts and key life events but from the structure - or anti-structure - the novel follows. Purposefully done, the setting in which Hattie's life takes place is blurred just enough for her words to resonate in the hearts and minds of readers of any age. Evident throughout the novel, Anna Bowen made deliberate choices with syntax, diction, and structure in order to create HATTIE's unique milieu.
Hattie's appeal to emotion is never forced and never gender based, as I found even myself empathizing with each trauma Hattie went through. No matter if the reader is male or female, Hattie's words allow one's self to be easily put into her shoes. These same words pull in the reader as if he/she were right there in the room going through the same emotional and spiritual journey Hattie so boldly went through.
What is guaranteed is that each and every reader will walk away from HATTIE just a little bit changed - the story forever apart of one's life. She brings a wise perspective to life's traumatic and evil side that left me feeling hopeful and confident in my own journey. Does Hattie bring comfort, inquisition, wonder, and even turmoil? Yes, but it is up to each reader to decide what it is that he/she will take away from the experience.
I know I will carry Hattie everywhere I go and will revisit her time and time again.
|
|
Hattie a novel was very emotional, I cried during parts of Hattie's life. She kept on going with her life no matter what, this made me feel that you can always carry on in life. Enjoyed reading this novel even though I'm not sure enjoyed is the correct word.
|
|
A really heartfelt book....enjoyed reading
|
|
A GEM of a read
I finished reading Hattie days ago and I am quiet, still immersed in the waters of her life. It is difficult to describe the experience of reading this finely honed novel. Such an exceptional book! It reminds me a little of the wonderful, Colors of the Mountain, by Da Chen, with its contrast of shocking moments and artful writing.
The stories of Hattie’s life are told in a first person narrative, in words that shimmer with the fullness of sorrow, wonder, evil, and love. Her storytelling style is not as simple as it first seems, nor is her life. Hattie’s voice resonates with the honesty of a child, as she describes the circumstances and vastness of emotions that she has experienced in a lifetime. It does not matter that our experiences may differ from hers; we understand the intensity of her fears, her musings, her longings, and her questions. As fellow travelers in life journeys, we are fascinated by her story and her reflections.
Hattie divides the events of her life into three parts: IN THE MEADOW, BY THE STREAM, and THROUGH THE WOODS. It is as if she begins by tossing a small pebble into the pond of her life---reflecting within the concentric circles of that pebble until the circles disappear into the stillness. She tosses a second pebble into a different area of the pond. It generates a new set of circles. As she reflects about the stories of her life, the pebbles tossed become larger and the wakes deeper, overlapping, and multidimensional as they release their truths, to her and to us.
Readers who have experienced brushes with their own mortality will recognize the circular pattern of her life review. In moments when we believe we may be reaching the end of our lives, our mind goes hunting again and again through its caverns of memories. We yearn for meaning, for the wisdom to be able to see the interlocking circles of our lives more clearly, and we are grateful when a life guide appears to assist us, sometimes so unexpectedly. If we are fortunate enough to see things in new ways and to grasp the meaning, our souls becomes stronger and our hearts more calm.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Truly, this is an extraordinary novel. Highly recommended.
|
|
Hattie is an unforgettable novel. Rarely have I read such a perfect book in the way it enveloped me in its world, in Hattie’s hard, harsh and nonetheless transcendent world. Hattie the character is so vividly alive in this book that she becomes like an intimate friend. I did not want the book to end. I became so lost in the character and her world that I completely forgot the book’s beginning, which is the end of Hattie’s life. So when I got to the end, I grieved at her loss. For weeks afterward, Hattie stuck with me. Incredible power! A truly gifted writer! This may be Ms. Bozena Bowen’s debut novel, but I sure hope it’s not her last.
|
|
"Hattie" is a touching story that immediately draws the reader in with Hattie's recollection of life events. Hattie lived a life of hardship, abuse and painful tragedies as a wash woman, a loving mother and a wife who lost everything but gained herself. Written beautifully with such a poetic voice, I am moved read "Hattie" a second and third time.
|
|
Hattieis a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. The Mom’s Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of PBS’s Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times best-selling Author and; LeAnn Thieman, motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books. Parents and educators look for the Mom’s Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families.
|
|
I just finished reading HATTIE, and even with such mature content, at 18 I could fully feel the pain of the narrator. It was written beautifully, opening new views on life's toughest subjects. I was eager to read more about Hattie, and felt myself developing a relationship with her. Not only was it written exceptionally well, but it was so different from any other story I have ever read. It truly captures life's miseries and beauties. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to open their minds and soul.
|
|
Hattie's life story is told in three parts: In the Meadow, By the Stream, and Through the Wood. It is a tale of child abuse, spousal abuse, tragedy, murder, and poverty, which only ends in death. There are few bright or humorous spots in this trauma-filled tale.
The first person narrative is used to draw sympathy in this typical “it's a hard life and even harder for a woman” tale.
|
Explore More Items
