Rating: 
Summary: Stunning !
Review: "The Warmest December" details the turbulent life of a family destroyed by abuse and alcoholism. Kenzie Lowe, the eldest child of the family narrates the story. A host of strong, believable characters carry the story as the author carries the reader from one traumatic event to the next. Throughout the novel, Kenzie struggles to free herself from a past of secrecy and cruelty that has her encased. This is a powerful story of survival and ultimately forgiveness. I read, I cried, I got angry, I laughed. I anxiously awaited the death of the father only to feel sadness and empathy for him when he died. This is my first read by McFadden and I'm greatly impressed by her near flawless writing and story telling ability. I'm looking forward to reading more of her work. Highly Recommended!
Rating:
Summary: The Warmest December
Review: A good book? Yes! However I found it hard to read, not because it was too complex, it was too REAL. Painful reading about these characters. I was entertained, yet I was pained too. So pained that I found the book hard to complete. I think my issue with this book is the fact that I'm a Social Worker and to read about the subject matter that I hear and help my clients deal with on a daily basis was not relaxing reading for me. I recommend this book, however be prepared to be horrified and disqusted with the actions of the mother and maternal grandmother.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent Book, a must read
Review: A hart break of a story that can make you cry. Ms. McFadden delivers again with a bittersweet tale. An enjoyable read from beginning to end. Go and get a copy of this book now.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Writer
Review: As I expected, The Warmest December is a very gooood book. Bernice McFadden can tell a story. When I started this book, I couldn't put it down until I finished the entire book. The theme reminded me of Gal, by Ruthie Bolton. Can't wait for her next one. Thanks for a well written book.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book Ever Written
Review: Bernice L. McFadden is simply the best! This book pulls you in and takes you on a ride that will be hard to forget. Kenzie's tale of ups and downs stay with you long after you have finished the book. Ms. McFadden uses words in such a way that make it seem like you are outside of Kenzie's window looking at all that is happening to her. Kenzie's story makes you think that if you were in her situation, would you act the way she did, when in fact she didn't have to? This book shows that if nothing else, when the tables are turned, we all do things that we would never expect to do. It was so much easier for Kenzie to say what she wouldn't do, but not until she was placed in a situation where she thought she had no control (visiting her father's hospital bed everyday) did she finally realize that two wrongs didn't make a right. Kenzie reminded me of me. Things never seem to happen the way we wnat them to, but in the end, we finally see that all things do in fact happen for a reason. This book is a true testament to that. Everyone should read this book. It will give people who have no idea of what children who are abused go through an inside look. It will also put things into perspective for the child who was abused. Also, a easy read and worth the time it takes to finish it.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, Powerful Storytelling!
Review: Bernice L. McFadden wrote a book a few years ago called Sugar that got my attention. With, The Warmest December, she did the almost impossible by elevating her writing to the next level. Although a very painful-to-read story about abuse due to being an alcoholic, Bernice L. McFadden weaves a totally powerful, believable, and unforgettable story. Ms. McFadden moved away from the popular "sista-girls" stuff to write a story about hate, love, understanding, and, ultimately, redemption. As hard as it was to read some of the things that happened to the Lowe family, I guarantee you won't be able to put this one down!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, Powerful Storytelling!
Review: Bernice L. McFadden wrote a book a few years ago called Sugar that got my attention. With, The Warmest December, she did the almost impossible by elevating her writing to the next level. Although a very painful-to-read story about abuse due to being an alcoholic, Bernice L. McFadden weaves a totally powerful, believable, and unforgettable story. Ms. McFadden moved away from the popular "sista-girls" stuff to write a story about hate, love, understanding, and, ultimately, redemption. As hard as it was to read some of the things that happened to the Lowe family, I guarantee you won't be able to put this one down!
Rating:
Summary: The Warmest December Pierces The Coldest Of Hearts
Review: 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.A.E.H. Veenman, an author and reviewer
Rating: 
Summary: Truly a captivating read
Review: Bernice McFadden has the gift of providing imagery and provoking intense emotion. The memories that Kenzie recalls are so powerful and truly tug at the heart. It is a great example of how forgiveness is possible even in the worst of scenarios. Definately worth the purchase :)
Rating:
Summary: MOVING AND SAD....BUT BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN!!
Review: Bernice Mcfadden has written another masterpiece which draws the reader into the violent life of young Kenzie Lowe, and her brother Malcolm. Her world is full of darkness...shadows spread by her father, Hy-Lo. The author does an excellent job of taking the reader from from the present of the adult Kenzie--where she begins her vigil at her father's deathbed--to the past of the child, and her ugly memories. Kenzie's memories are nothing pleasant; her father was an alcoholic, and a violent one. Her childhood memories were of walking on eggshells around her father, never quite sure what would ignite the flame of the dragon that lived within him. Hy-Lo routinely beat Kenzie's mother Della, and brother Malcolm. None were spared; especially painful is the recollection of the death of her beloved cat Priscilla at her father's hand.
Now an adult, Kenzie must deal with her own struggles with the bottle, and come to terms with everything that she has been through. Kenzie has never referred to her father as Dad and has never held love in her heart for him. But the bedside vigils lead to a conversation with Nurse Dianne, an old childhood friend of Hy-Lo and his brothers, who sheds some light on Hy-Lo's own troubled childhood at the hand of his cruel mother Gwyneth. Through Dianne, Kenzie is finally able to see her father as something other then the victimizer that he had been to her and her family, and can perhaps reach beneath all of the hate that she feels for him to find at least a little compassion.
Difficult material, but one cannot not help but love the writing of this author. If nothing else, Ms. McFadden is never one to shy away from difficult subject matter.
DYB
|
