Customer Reviews

Kinfolks (Ballantine Reader's Circle)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book was a joy to read, while I first thought the plot came a little too fast, as I continued to read, I realized I didn't know what the plot really was. The bond between the Patrice and Cherry reminded me of my older sister and her girlfriends. The women in the book handled the issue with grace and maturity, no kiddy, catfights. (As seen on the raunchy talk shows.)You go ladies! While this book is a work of fiction, it shadowed my own life. I have recently located my 'kinfolk' and the initial reactions were welcoming.

As a child, I couldn't understand why my Dad would greet our friends with the question, "Who are your folks?" I just thought it was because he knew everybody, and he does.

We later found out the reason, it was to make sure we were not kinfolks.

I'm looking forward to reading other books by Kristin Hunter Lattany.

Readers who were teenagers or in their twenties during the sixties can definitely "relate". Two dsyfunctional friends/parents Cherry and Patrice find out their children who are about to marry have the same father and the story takes off. Cherry and Patrice begin looking for Eugene Green's other children of the sixties. They even recognize a son of his living in the neighborhood. Just how many women were charmed by Eugene Green during the "free love" and "I don't need a husband" era. In their search, their friendship is strengthen, they set real priorities, and there is personal growth and action for both of the friends. Meanwhile, the children having to fend for themselves not only "grow up" a little, but find and help their biological father. Well written. Delightful and funny. This book gives new meaning to our parents statement "who are his people"?

What do you do when you find out that your child is about to marry their half-sibling? You call off the wedding and go looking for any other kids that the father might have been a sperm donor for. Kinfolks is an entertaining and compelling read with a strong social message that takes us into the lives of Patrice and Cherry as they go on a venture to find the other mothers and offspring of one Gene Greene. Life in the ‘60s was made for peace, love and casual sex…but some 20/30 years later when the results begin to rear their heads in friends and significant others not realizing they’re related its time to take action before an accident happens. If you’re looking for a well-written, solid read with colorful characters and an enlightening storyline then look no further than Kinfolks by Kristen Lattany.

Patrice who is a plus size 20 and wears ethnic caftans and Cherry who is a size 12 and wears cheap bargain clothes are two long term ex-revolutionary friends who grew up in the sixties. Back then they attended H. Rap Brown rallies and hanted "Ungawa Black Power" while giving each other the "Black Power" handshake! They were both liberated young ladies just like all of their friends then and they made a conscience decision to have both of their children out of wedlock, because they felt at the time that rules were made to be broken. Now they are both middle-aged women embarking upon menopause and their children Saint and Aisha are all grown up and engaged to marry each other.

Toussaint (Saint) is a devoted son to Patrice and is responsible and mature for his age. Aisha (Eliza) is a spoiled brat and even her Mother Cherry has come to realize that she let her have her way too much when she was raising her. Patrice and Cherry know that their children are engaged to be married soon, but instead of being happy they both are worried right now. Cherry is worried about all the money that this wedding is costing her and Patrice is worried about the things that are similar between Saint and Aisha. Couples are supposed to have a lot in common, but this is ridiculous!

I loved the way Kristin Hunter Lattany told the story by devoting the chapters to each character. This gives the reader more insight into the characters personality and lets you know what the character is thinking through-out the story. The story was realistic, inspiring and even funny in some places.

Reviewed by H. Renay Anderson
For BBW Reviews

I was not impressed by this book. It could have been better. The plot was revealed early on, and then the book went downhill.
I was waiting for something huge to happen after the plot came out, but nothing was there.
Please do not waste money on this book...get it from the library if you must.

From cover to cover this book is a winner. From the first page I was hooked. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader intrigued.Patrice and Cherry are a riot.

This book is an easy read. It really flows with the subject. I would have never thought all of these different families could get together and be friendly and cordial to one another. Aisha and Saint when they found out they were brother and sister, they never discuss their relationship anymore. How could Cherry and Patrice best friends never discuss they slept with the same man. Seems to me the money they raised should have gone on their bills. It was good to see Cherry found a nice man. But I just dont see women getting together finding their lovers children.

Kinfolks is the story of two best friends who's son and daughter are about to get married, but shocking news will keep them from being together. This book was good, but also made us look at one of the bad parts of just going around having kids without being in a serious relationship.

THIS BOOK WAS GREAT I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO READING SOME OF THE OTHER BOOKS MRS.HUNTER-LATTANY HAS WRITTEN.YOU MUST GET THIS BOOK IT WILL HAVE YOU LAUGHING,CRYING,AND WISHING YOU WERE THERE...

Kinfolks was a good book,UNTIL, I reached the last chapter. There was not enough tension between the women who conceived these children and the man who help create them and then left them. At the end of the novel, everything seemed to be placed in a tight tiny package and 'the end'. That's it. No more. The emotional level could have been explored a little deeper. All in all, a quaint read.