Rating: 
Summary: Painful, but highly important reading
Review: I found "The Warmest December" to be very painful reading, but couldn't put it down. Through the vehicle of fiction, McFadden studies the impact of alcoholism and domestic abuse upon the lives of children. McFadden explores the emotional, psychological and economic reasons why women stay with abusive men, and the destructive consequences of remaining in such a relationship. Although she vividly depicts the nightmare of cruelty and destruction that can accompany alcoholism, she also writes about the potential for healing and redemption.
Rating:
Summary: Get out! If not for yourself, DEFINITELY for your children
Review: I just could not understand the mother's (Della) reason for staying with her husband (Hy-Lo). He beat her from the beginning to the very end of their relationship. I place blame on the mother as well as the father. If she wanted to subject herself to his abusive treatment then that's on her, but she shouldn't have subjected her children to this kind of emotional, physical, and mental abuse. I place the blame with the grandmother (Mable) as well. She would threaten to call child's services if Hy-Lo wouldn't do what she wanted him to do, when she should have called child's services all along. It would have been better for the children if they had grown up without a family rather than with a family were they had to fear for their lives. Didn't the mother realize that she was raising children in the image of her husband? Wouldn't she be afraid that her children would think it's okay to hit a woman, or become an alcoholic, or abuse your children? Her only concern was that she wanted her children to grow up with a "father" and to have everything that she didn't have. Well, if I were in that situation, I would rather be without. The narrator of the story is the daughter of Della and Hy-Lo called Kenzie. She grows up with the mind-set that she has to inflict pain upon herself by biting in lip until it bleeds for thinking the horrible thoughts in her head. She wishes death upon her father because she hates him so much. She finds herself going to visit her father when he is hospitalized to fight out her frustrations and demons that he has inflicted into their lives. What she finds is a hollow hole next to her heart that isn't being filled with the hatred that she has for her father; she discovers that she must turn that hate into love if she wants to fill the void. Hy-Lo, although very real and monstrous to his family, was only repeating the cycle of abuse that he grew up to known. Although the father was a mentally sick man- torturing his family and harassing his children, beating them like they were grown adults, and punching his wife in the face with his fist- it should have been the responsibility of the wife to leave her husband, if not for herself then definitely for her children.
Rating:
Summary: Too cold for words!
Review: I just finished reading this book this morning. I closed the cover and then I cried. I wasn't sure if I could have been as forgiving as Kenzie was. Even after getting a better understanding of the cycle of violence that Hy-Lo had spawned from, I don't know. This novel evoked such vivid imagery and misery, it was at times, very difficult to get through. I found myself holding my breath, gasping in shock and shaking my head in dismay. It was an intensely sad book and as much as I almost didn't want to finish it, I felt compelled to do so. I would love to see a sequal to this book to find out what happens next with Kenzie and her mother. How do they ever reconcile and repair their smashed and shattered lives. I would recommend this book with a warning that it is not for the faint of heart. I wouuld warn that this book will move you to tears and maybe depress you and haunt your dreams. But the characters and story will live with you for a long time as well as the lessons of human strength in face of overwhelming odds.
Rating:
Summary: Heartbreaking and Gut-wrenching, Powerful story...
Review: I just recently completed Bernice McFadden's second novel, The Warmest December. What a compelling, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching story, that's sure to pull at your heart strings. Page after page, I couldn't imagine what would happen next. My heart ached for the Kenize and Malcolm Lowe and the pain they had to endure from their abusive father Hy-Lo(Hyman Lowe)There were times when I thought how could anyone be that cold-hearted and mean-spirited and then you meet Gywenth Lowe, his mother and their grandmother,who passed the genocidal traits down to her sons. What enraged me even more was that their mother Della, had the opportunities time and time again to save her children and herself as well but, sacrifices it all for what she values. Her own mother couldn't convince her, she was playing with fire. Her confession at the end of the book, was truly a shocker but, gave me some type of understanding as to why they endured so much pain and heartache at the hands of a mad-man. I found that even in those situations of domestic abuse, women try to convince themselves and others that, they're loved, well-cared for, etc. This story gives insight into the lives of abused children and all they suffer as children and possibily adults. You see the toll that it takes on other family members and friends of the family as well. Berince did a beauitful job bringing such a touchy subject to light and giving Kenize Lowe the strenght to share her story with the reader. Bravo!! Bravo!! Bravo!!
Rating: 
Summary: Flat!
Review: I like the writings of Bernice McFadden, but this isn't one of them. It is a very detailed story of the pains and misery of alcoholics. The author explicitly describes the torment and affliction of the disease. I think she did a great job with that, but the overall reading of the book was a chore. I think Ms. McFadden was bending the elbow when she wrote this one; it's not one of her best. She as done much better.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet as Sugar
Review: I love this book just as much as I liked her first novel, Sugar. The story is amazing. I felt like a fly on the wall in every aspect ogf the story. I felt like I was there.
Rating:
Summary: Life
Review: I loved this novel, It was such a sad story from the begining to end. But in reality people do live like this. I felt so sorry for Kenzie the whole story but I was glad for her at the end. This was the first novel I've read from Ms. McFadden and I plan to read many more.
Rating:
Summary: REMARKABLE!!!
Review: I took a chance and read Sugar when it first came out (Jan 2000). I decided then, that I would definately purchase anything this gifted writer produced next......Boy! am I glad I did. This book brought back memories of a childhood, long since forgotten. Events that were stored away in a far, and unvisited place(my mind) were dealt with. Although I wasn't "Kenzie", my best friend at age 9-14 was. Reading this book, I grasped an understanding for the "promise you won't tell anybody" plea, that came on a regular basis. Cassandra, or Sandy (as I called you), If you are out there reading this (since I know you still love to read), I just want you to know that I never told a soul. But several years after we were torn apart, I heard what happen to "him". SEE? I told you god would take care of him, and keep you out of trouble at the same time. Through this book, I know we will be brought back together at some point and time. So that you know for sure that it is me..............."You will always be my little Raggedy Anne"!!!!! After all these years, I still love you like a sister. Oh! and by the way, mines finally had a baby of her own!!! Ms. McFadden, you will never truly know the impact this books has had on myself and many, many others. I just want you to know that it has touched on feelings I had tucked away for many years. I am truly greatful for the opportunity to share the experiences of your characters. Keep up the "great" work. You have a dedicated fan in me. I patiently await your next novel. Be blessed, Mommie
Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC & RIVETING
Review: I was so drawn in that I felt every punch, bruise, tear, disappointment, shattered dreams and heartbreak. The power of forgiveness can truly change your life and McFadden is in tune with that in this book. She is insightful and very intutitive. I was touched in the core of my being. The language is fascinating. McFadden has outdone herself with this book. I suggest you read this book and Sugar. Both compelling books but so different its hard to believe that its the same author.
Rating:
Summary: A healing story written with heart and emotion - FABULOUS!
Review: Just when I think I've read the best book of the year thus far, along comes a book like this one that just completely disarms me. "THE WARMEST DECEMBER" is just such a disarming book. This healing story of an adult child of an alcoholic parent and an alcoholic herself will move readers to tender, poignant smiles and an occasional tear. Kenzie Lowe, the main character, manages through a series of memories and flashbacks at her dying father's bedside to reconcile with her brutal past and turn her hurt and rage to forgiveness and acceptance. A healing story written with heart and emotion, "THE WARMEST DECEMBER" is one of the most moving novels I've ever come across. A must read for anyone who has ever lived under the influence of alcoholism. Adult children of alcoholics will see a great deal of themselves in Kenzie and will cheer her on her road to recovery. An absolutely unforgettable keeper!
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