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Summary: KUDOS TO TINA MCELROY ANSA
Review: BABY OF THE FAMILY IS A FASCINATING STORY ABOUT FAMILY, FRIENDS AND THE GENERAL LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER.KUDOS TO TINA MCELROY ANSA FOR THE UPCOMING FEATURE FILM PROJECTS OF "BABY OF THE FAMILY" AND "UGLY WAYS." Tina, Thank You from the bottom of my heart for trusting Jonee to allow me the opportunity to prove my friendship and how hard I can work for you guys. This means a lot to me. May God Bless the both of you. - james dawson, assistant to the director down south filmworks, inc.
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Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: Baby of the Family is more than just the story about a girl with special abilities. It is also a story about family and friendship in a small Southern town. Ansa touches on so many of the nuances, superstitions, and phrases that still exist in these towns. It took me back home to my small hometown in Louisiana, which I had previously considered an anomoly. I literally did not put this book down until I had devoured every last page
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Summary: How to take the long route and still not get there.
Review: BABY OF THE FAMILY read like two seperate novels, and that was a problem for me. The first few chapters dealt with Lena's sixth sense and I was captivated. Then, the book shifted into a coming of age story that took up the majority of the novel. Lena's powers were not addressed anymore until the last three chapters, and by then, I didn't care anymore. Had the novel stayed true to the plot, I am sure it would have been a great read, but because it deviated and didn't jump back on track until the end, the entire novel was a let down.
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Summary: How to take the long route and still not get there.
Review: BABY OF THE FAMILY read like two seperate novels, and that was a problem for me. The first few chapters dealt with Lena's sixth sense and I was captivated. Then, the book shifted into a coming of age story that took up the majority of the novel. Lena's powers were not addressed anymore until the last three chapters, and by then, I didn't care anymore. Had the novel stayed true to the plot, I am sure it would have been a great read, but because it deviated and didn't jump back on track until the end, the entire novel was a let down.
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Summary: Da Bomb!
Review: I AM MELINDA...AND I AM A READER. PLEASE IF YOU NEVER-EV-VA READ ANOTHER BOOK, READ THIS ONE. IT TAKESYOU SO DEEP AND IT JUST PUT YOU THERE WITH THE CHARACTERS. LENA AND HERMAN. I READ IT AWHILE BACK AND IT STILL GIVES ME CHILLS AND SHIVERS IN A GOOD WAY. IT IS SO PASIONATE AND YOU WILL LOVE IT. NOW, THIS IS A BOOK YOU WON'T PUT DOWN-FORREAL, CHECK IT OUT AND E MAIL ME IF YOU LOVED IT TOO. mismelodie@hotmail.com
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Summary: girl. ooh!
Review: I AM MELINDA...AND I AM A READER. PLEASE IF YOU NEVER-EV-VA READ ANOTHER BOOK, READ THIS ONE. IT TAKESYOU SO DEEP AND IT JUST PUT YOU THERE WITH THE CHARACTERS. LENA AND HERMAN. I READ IT AWHILE BACK AND IT STILL GIVES ME CHILLS AND SHIVERS IN A GOOD WAY. IT IS SO PASIONATE AND YOU WILL LOVE IT. NOW, THIS IS A BOOK YOU WON'T PUT DOWN-FORREAL, CHECK IT OUT AND E MAIL ME IF YOU LOVED IT TOO. mismelodie@hotmail.com
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Summary: Somewhat Disappointed...
Review: I had read so many great things about the author that I decided to check out all her books starting from the beginning with Baby of the Family. Although I think the author did a great job with imagery and detailed description, I was somewhat slightly disappointed with the plot. It started off great - Lena's birth with the veil over her face, visits from ghosts, and the superstitious undertones set the tone for a juicy plot and then NOTHING for the majority of the book. I was so disappointed; the novel had great potential to be so much better. It went on to become an elongated coming of age story that concentrated on select moments of Lena's adolescence. Interesting characters were sprinkled in the book; but often exited with no closure to their story lines. I actually found myself wanting to know more about other characters, as they were more interesting than the mediocre clips into Lena's teenage years. I enjoyed the author's style but questioned the delivery of plot. I haven't given up on the author, I hope to jump into Ugly Ways next.
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Summary: Somewhat Disappointed...
Review: I had read so many great things about the author that I decided to check out all her books starting from the beginning with Baby of the Family. Although I think the author did a great job with imagery and detailed description, I was somewhat slightly disappointed with the plot. It started off great - Lena's birth with the veil over her face, visits from ghosts, and the superstitious undertones set the tone for a juicy plot and then NOTHING for the majority of the book. I was so disappointed; the novel had great potential to be so much better. It went on to become an elongated coming of age story that concentrated on select moments of Lena's adolescence. Interesting characters were sprinkled in the book; but often exited with no closure to their story lines. I actually found myself wanting to know more about other characters, as they were more interesting than the mediocre clips into Lena's teenage years. I enjoyed the author's style but questioned the delivery of plot. I haven't given up on the author, I hope to jump into Ugly Ways next.
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Summary: Interesting and informative
Review: I have always wondered about the caul and this book was informative. My brother was born with one and he always had the gift to see the future and I thought he was just pulling my leg. I guess there is some truth to the power of the caul.
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Summary: Great Characters!
Review: I like this quaint little town of Mulberry and its cast of characters. This book is about Lena, the baby of the McPherson family, and her supernatural gifts. Lena was born with a caul over her face. Because her mother didn't believe in superstition, she did not follow the rituals or dispose of the caul properly. Hence, Lena is plagued by ghosts and demons. I picked this book up after reading about Mudear and the hilarious characters of Mulberry in "Ugly Ways." This author's forte is writing about families with all their flaws and idiosyncrasies. Unlike the ornery Mudear, the mother in this book is loving, and indulgent, even if she is a little high strung. One of my favorite scenes in this book is when she tells her hyper children that they were making her very azzhole quiver. You have to read that in context to get it. I also liked how the patriarch of the family, Jonah McPherson, was a shrewd businessman. He owned "The Place" -- the local watering hole -- and a couple of other businesses. I'm the youngest of a southern family, so I could relate to a lot of this book. The baby of the family definitely occupies a prized position in the household. And let's face it, most of our older relatives still hold on to some superstitions. This was a very good book. I passed it along to my sisters, and they enjoyed it as much as I did.
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