Customer Reviews

Neecey's Lullaby: A novel

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was my first novel by Ms. Burks so I took a chance on purchasing this book as I wanted to explore a new author. She brings the readers right into the lives of the characters. This book was not only moving but thought provoking. Child abuse will fester and continue to grow unless the cycle is broken. Neecy grows up all too fast out of the need to parent her siblings as her parents lack the strenght or skills to raise children. Great Read!!! Looking forward to you next book.

After reading 'Neecey's Lullaby', I sat for some time. This book is a true example of survival. To live through the things and still believe that there is good in the world and others is an incredible testament to the human spirit. Cris Burks captured my attention from the dedication page.... "Our past does not control us." That one sentence alone changed my perception of many, many things. This book was well written and a must read. I felt Neecey's pain, and rooted for her all the way. After reading this book I passed it on to my daughter, though only a teenager, and she too was touched. I am waiting for the next book. Cris Burks has a fan for life.

L. R. Thomas

I can't believe there are such few comments! This was a GREAT read! Neecey's Lullaby was a raw,emotional and entertaining read. Once I started I had to finish just to know how things would end up for her and her family.The character's in this novel are easy to relate to-I reccomend this book to any and everyone...Enjoy!

Although I found some of the paragraphs a little choppy, this was an intriguing story that left me wanting more. As another reviewer said, I would love for the author to go back to the mother's life before Chicago (where this story took place), because that would probably make for a good story as well. Great book to read if you want something that you can finish over a weekend or short vacation!

Sometimes you become a adult before the age of 18. This book show's the love a a child for her family. I'm waiting for the sequel.

Reveling in her childhood as daddy's little girl, Neecey could not have been a happier child. Loved and cherished by her father, she feels her world is soundly protected. An unexpected visit by a man from her mother's past puts a strain on her parent's relationship. After the unexplained departure of her father, her young world falls apart which is the lament weaved in NEECEY'S LULLABY.

Left in poverty, Neecey and her siblings move to a housing project with their mother, Ruby. Ruby's low self-esteem and the desire to receive validation from the arms of a man add additional mouths to feed as a result of unplanned pregnancies. During those times when Ruby is not in a relationship she is extremely abusive to her children. Her poor choice in men exposes her children to sexual predators and situations they should not be privy to. Neecey takes on the responsibilities of being "mother and protector" to her five sisters and brother.

Despite their traumatic situation, there are happy moments the children share. After several long-buried secrets are revealed, Neecey starts to question the love that Ruby has for her children. It is through the love that Neecey shares and receives from her siblings that she learns to love herself and receive freedom.

Chris Burks has written a very poignant coming of age story about a young girl who is thrust into bearing adult responsibilities. The strength of the novel is in how the author vividly details each scene -- the sights, sounds and smells. I thoroughly enjoyed the rhythmic flow of the prose. This is a must read for lovers of a really good book.

Reviewed by Paula Henderson
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Cris Burk's sophomore novel, Neecey's Lullaby, is a heart-wrenching and raw coming-of-age story. Set in Chicago, and spanning from the 50s through the 70s, Neecey's Lullaby is Neecey's story but it is oftentimes upstaged by the drama created by her mother. Neecey appeared to have a normal childhood, until age seven (7), when the man she assumed was her father left the family. After the father deserted the family, Neecey's mother, Ruby, succumbed to her own little world. As the oldest, Neecey became the surrogate mother to her younger siblings. Neecey watches as her mom, who lacks skills and education, seeks the comfort, company and finances of any man to help her take care of her increasing household. But Ruby's attention is displaced, as with each new man introduced into the household, there is a new set of fears and angst for Neecey and her younger siblings. Neecey manages to hold the family together but at what cost? A lot is expected of her at an early age and one has to wonder what repercussions come with the terrain.

Riddled with abuse, neglect, fear and mistrust, Neecey's Lullaby is an emotional roller coaster of rage, anger and shock! A more suitable title for the novel might have been Ruby's House of Horror as so much of the story centered on her as a one-dimensional, dysfunctional character. The story is an admirable attempt by Burk to try something different in an effort to write outside of the box (her debut novel would best be described as contemporary, chick lit); however, Neecey's Lullaby fell short on several fronts. The characterization was vague; secondary characters were introduced-- but as in the case of the older sister and the older brother as well as the Neecey's biological dad-the reader was not given any back-story on many of these characters. Their entrance and exit were both abrupt. The pacing was uneven and while several plot twists and turns were introduced they lacked intensity and passion. Or maybe after reading one hardship after another this reader just became immune to the next mishap. There were no highs or lows in the story, the narrative was very monotone and about half way through, I found my interest waning. The story was not a page-turner for me, but on some level it was engaging enough for me to finish the book; although it took me two weeks to do so. There is a saving grace to Neecey's Lullaby-Neecey had courage and a strong will to survive. She showed that with perseverance, determination and the desire to excel that one can move forward and move on.

Neecey's Lullaby was a very difficult read because of the theme, however, I respect Burks for tackling such a difficult subject matter and believe with time and practice that her storytelling abilities will improve.

Reviewed by Yasmin
APOOO BookClub

This book was wonderful. I didn't think it was going to be good. Once I started it, I couldn't stop. This book made me think about certain things. I'm glad I picked up the book. While I was thinking, I realized that things like what happened in the book, really happens in the world. I wasn't aware of most of the issues discussed in this piece of work. This book really opened my eyes.

This book is a tough read because of all the suffering the children go through. Neecey's resilience in keeping herself and her siblings safe is what keeps this book enjoyable. I am anxious to see if the author has a sequel to this novel as I would love to see if Neecey gets the answers she is searching for at the end of this novel.

I must say that this was a great book. I read it in one day. I felt so bad for Neecey and found myself crying for her and her siblings. It seemed every corner she turned she was being abused or hurt. Her mother needed some serious help and the grandmother had me so pissed off! How could a person treat children that way? I'm hoping there is a second part that mixes the mother's past with Neecey's future.