Customer Reviews

Pieces from the Crazy Quilt: The Childhood Memoirs of a Great-Grandmother

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

 

 

In Pieces from the Crazy Quilt the Author utilizes visualization and symbolism to accurately depict a by gone era in urban America. Melvin, an African-American girl with a male name, takes us along on her travels through a period in American history when religion, integrity, and heroism were important values within the Black community. It was a time when the elemental family existed as a functional unit. The father is strong, intelligent, and a fierce defender of his family. The mother is a staunch, churchgoing woman with a myriad of personal skills, e.g., cook, seamstress, neighborhood confidant, and empathetic wife and mother. From the Author's painful description of the "Good Reverend," to her wonderful illustration of "The Raceman," this book oozes emotion, discovery, and truth. It would make an excellent movie or television mini-series. Great character presentation and development, coupled with interesting subject material combine to raise this book to my personal top star rating--a "5." Pieces from the Crazy Quilt, like it's author, is crazy like a fox. I loved it!

"Pieces From the Crazy Quilt" is symbolic of the Depression and World War II era; her candid visualization makes you think you are living each day with her through the course of this journey. Her style of writing is literary prose at its finest; pure, graceful and crisp. This was undoubtedly an enlightening and refreshing read! Marvin Arnett has done a miraculous job with "Pieces From The Crazy Quilt."

Tonya Howard

Imagine yourself sitting in a cozy living room, sipping tea and chat with your
grandmother. This is exactly how you will feel as you read the book Pieces of
the Crazy Quilt. The book although fictional, is largely based on the
experiences and memories of the author herself. Melvin, the main character of
the book, like the author is given a name that is traditionally considered that
of a male. The book takes place in Detroit, Michigan and covers the time
period of the 1920's through the early 1940's. It highlights what life was
like for African Americans during this often overlooked historical era.

What is most refreshing about the book is Melvin's voice. The story is told
solely from her point of view as she reminisces about her childhood and
family. As she relates various stories about her growing up on Herbert Street living in the "Green House," you become so drawn in that as a reader you feel
like you are right on the street and are one of the characters. The "Church
of the True Believers", where Melvin and her family attend, has enough drama to
keep the pages turning. In addition, to the drama Arnett has created or
perhaps re-created a diverse cast of characters, some to be respected and
others to be despised. However, through all the drama and through all the
characters, important life lessons are learned. If there is any message that
stands out in my mind after reading this book it is that all experiences, good
or bad, are opportunities to learn and grow.

Marvin Arnett tackles any number of tough issues such as love, loss, poverty,
wealth, hurt, healing, wisdom, education and the importance of having God in
your life. This isn't a Christian Fiction novel per se, but it is abundantly
clear that part of what helped sustain the Sprague family was their faith in
God. It was refreshing seeing a mother and father working hard to support and
provide for their family. William Sprague, Melvin's father, was a pillar of
strength and wisdom that would climb any mountain for his children. Grace
Sprague, Melvin's mother, had a quiet and enduring faith, and her kindness was
felt throughout the community.

Arnett's conversational writing style makes you feel more like you chatting
than reading a book. The characters were so alive that I felt as if I knew
them personally. The book is loaded with moral lessons, but never comes across
as preachy. This story will make you laugh, make you cry, and even make you
want to haul off and punch someone in the nose. This was an excellent effort
and I truly look forward to any future works by this author. I highly
recommend this book.

...

An inspiring book told from the author's memories of her childhood experiences from the time of the Depression to World War II.

She speaks highly of her mother's cooking and sewing and of her father's influence in the community. She talks about her schooling, her love for going to the library, the death of her sister, the relationship with her brother, her various outings, adults that had impacts in her life and much more.

Libraries everywhere should have this book.