Hoopi Shoopi Donna [Hardcover]

Shea (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1996

The accordian-playing apple of her father's eye, young Donna Milewski struggles with a painful estrangement from her father after the arrival of her adorable and destitute Polish cousin, a situation that is alleviated by their shared love of music.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Polka favorite Hupaj Siupaj Dana sounds like "Hoopi Shoopi Donna," and Donna Mileweski identifies with it. At 14 her life is wonderful. She has her parents and grandmother, two best friends, and her accordion. Then her father adopts Betty, his six-year-old niece from Poland. Everything changes, especially after an accident, falsely blamed on Donna, cripples Betty. Donna's life turns to ashes, and Betty becomes a hero and a celebrity. The girls barely speak, Papa changes, and there is no more music in Donna's life. Years pass, and Betty becomes a doctor, marries, and has a baby while Donna languishes. In her late thirties, Donna goes back to her music, and what happens is joy. Shea (Selling the Lite of Heaven, LJ 5/15/94) has written a warm story about a Polish American community that captures the agonies and ecstasies of ordinary and extraordinary family life. Highly recommended.?Barbara Maslekoff, Ohioana Lib., Columbus
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A worthy follow-up (titled after the American pronunciation of a Polish polka) to Shea's promising debut (Selling the Lite of Heaven, 1994); again, the author captures the spirit of an insular Polish-Catholic community and homes in on one unforgettable family. Donna Milewski is a relatively content 14-year-old--until her parents decide to adopt her cousin, six-year-old Elzbieta--the daughter of Donna's father's brother, who can no longer support his family back in Poland. Donna is ambivalent about the newcomer (called Betty in Massachusetts), but when Betty follows Donna on her first date and gets them both hit by an out-of-control truck, her happy existence abruptly ends. In the accident's aftermath, Donna gets blamed for being irresponsible, Betty--thought to have saved Donna--becomes a heroine, and the media goes crazy over the brave immigrant child who risked all to save her new ``sister,'' even giving the Milewskis a new home. No one bothers to ask Donna what happened (and she can't speak for six weeks, her broken jaw wired shut), so it's never discovered that it was Donna who saved Betty--and no one believes her when she later tries to explain. Meanwhile, Donna's father immediately transfers all his affections to Betty--for reasons unexplained. Although both girls recover physically, once Donna graduates from high school she moves out of her parents' house and never speaks to her father again. It will take his death--and an all-girl polka band she forms on an old friend's suggestion--before she can finally come to terms with her father, Betty, the accident, and a romance that's been waiting right next door. Until the ludicrous finale, when Betty's sister Aniela, a Donna look-alike from Poland, appears and offers a highly implausible rationale for Donna's father's inexcusable behavior, this is a sometimes rollicking, sometimes heartbreaking, effectively quirky read. (Author tour; radio satellite tour) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Atria; First Edition edition (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671535447
• ISBN-13: 978-0671535445
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,350,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful - and not just for Polish-Americans, October 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hoopi Shoopi Donna (Paperback)

I was knocked out by how wonderful this book was. I literally could not stop reading it until I finished it. Suzanne Shea has a wonderful feel for 2d and 3rd generation Polish-Americans (of which I am one) and it makes for a delightfully original setting. The family dynamics were heartbreakingly true to life, especially in the Polish-American culture. But you don't have to be Polish to enjoy the great writing and vivid characters.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I sent out SEVEN copies of this book!!Did YOU get one?, April 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hoopi Shoopi Donna (Paperback)

When I read this book back in 1996,I liked it SO much,I purchased SEVEN copies and put a note in the frontis(sp?) page telling that the one who received this book he or she HAD to give it to someone else to read...I have NEVER received the books back(and YES,my name and address WAS in each) so it is my HOPE that those books have since traveled the world..I ALSO contacted OPRAH"S book club about choosing this book to read........it needs MORE publicity..but i DO believe I've done MY part!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hoopi Shoopi Whoopi, October 25, 2001

By 

Julia Hackney (Cypress, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hoopi Shoopi Donna (Paperback)

I just finished reading Hoopi Shoopi Donna in October, 2001, although it was written in '96. Found it on a clearance shelf in a local drugstore and was attracted by the title and cover. What a great find! It was written with the kind of humor I enjoy. Just a daily take on everday life and relationships. I found the Polish family traditions interesting but the relationships were "every family." Donna's thoughts were so honest, even though she admitted herself they were not always kind. She knew she was being unpleasant at times but felt it was her right. Boy, I've felt that many times!
I am in a book club in my area and can't wait for my turn to host and choose the book... as I already know my selection. This definitely needs to be discussed with others.
The only adverse thing I can think of is my sympathy for the nice guys who always got dumped led me to being very frustrated with Donna. She's comes around at the end. Never have I considered reading a book twice... but this may be the one.