Customer Reviews

Ring around the Moon: A Novel

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This sister does so much more than tell a story from a child's perspective. She speaks vividly, and candidly about how our own views of skin color and hair texture and our ability to express emotion shapes our lives and relationships.

Some aspects of this book are those that one can immediately relate to. Things like racial prejudice and In-law relationships.

But other aspects go very deep. This book is a learning opportunity for those of us who speak and act out of our childhood experiences without really thinking. It teaches us about our own prejudices, reminds us of the roots, and challenges us to be mindful.

An excellent book, Ms Burnett Smith.

A ring around the moon means that "it's gonna rain the next day." Amy's world has a ring around it; we feel throughout the sense of foreboding that next page, next chapter it will rain on her always tenative happiness. Her father drinks, gambles and spends the weekends with his girlfriend. When he is at home, he quarrels with and beats her mother. Still Amy carries on - becoming a good student and befriending another "new girl" Mary Katherine Donovan, who is white. Mama supports the family by cleaning white folks houses, but she brings Miss Minnie to live with the family and care for and nuture Amy and her brothers, James and Lonnie. Written as an insightful child's cronicle of the last days and the horrifying end of her parent's marriage, Ms. Smith's second novel stirs us with laughter and tears. A wonderful read!!

I could really relate to this book. From the rent parties, father's infidelity, funny colored nappy hair, and the meddling family members...I was sure that Ms. Smith had somehow peeked in on my family. Overall the book was good, very descriptive and easy to read.

Ring Around The Moon is a moving novel about a family in rural Virginia during the 1940s. The story is told throughthe voice of Amy the 11 year old. She descibes the life of her family and life for the outside the home- school, segregation, etc. The books seems as though it could be autobiographical describing both the good and the bad of this family and the community. The author brings dignity to the characters and to their surroundings. Amy and Aunt Minne were my favorites. Though a dysnfunctional family there still is a story of hope, survial,and endurance. I look forward to reading other books by Mary Burnett Smith.

With the same grace and simplicity, Ms. Burnett Smith has again reminded me to look at life from a child's perspective. Adults (whether or not they are parents), need to stop and think how their words and actions impact the young people around them. Thank You, Ms. Burnett Smith,I am looking forward to your next book.

Ring Around The Moon is a moving novel about a family in rural Virginia during the 1940s. The story is told throughthe voice of Amy the 11 year old. She descibes the life of her family and life for the outside the home- school, segregation, etc. The books seems as though it could be autobiographical describing both the good and the bad of this family and the community. The author brings dignity to the characters and to their surroundings. Amy and Aunt Minne were my favorites. Though a dysnfunctional family there still is a story of hope, survial,and endurance. I look forward to reading other books by Mary Burnett Smith.

She's done it again! Ms. Smith has once again taken us into the complicated life of a young girl and created characters, situations and places that are completely real and very familiar. I was initially reluctant to read this book because I loved Miss Ophelia and didn't want to be disappointed if this book wasn't as good. Well, I needn't have worried because Ms. Smith has once again delivered. Keep doing what you're doing - this is one fan who is behind you all the way!!!

It appears that Amy had a difficult year when the family moved. She had many more issues than her father womanizing, gambling and drinking. Her red hair was a problem for her. The author told a good story on how Amy coped in her child hood, but how did she get beyond that point in her life. When the book ended she still was struggling with unresolved issues.

This is an excellent book. Some mentioned, what was the point and what was the storyline? There were several points and stories relevant to those interested in African American history and the African diaspora. Among those points are issues of skin color and hair among people of color. Specifically, issues that all types of people of color (all over the color spectrum) deal with and how some of these backwards ideas were planted. Issues regarding alcoholism and its effects on the family and future generations are also brought up. In addition to these issues, sibling relationships are explored and the story of a marriage tearing apart is told. There are also many more issues in this book. Some reviewers mentioned the lack of "closure" in the book. I don't see a problem with this lack of closure. Does everything in our own lives as human beings end elegantly and neatly? This book adds one perspective to the question,"What does it mean to be human?"

I was amazed at how well the author lived through 11 year old Amy's life. This is an excellent book. When I started it, I could not put it down. I highly recommend it!

If you enjoy reading books about the childhood occurrences spoken from an adult's retrospective point of view, then you'll enjoy Ring Around the Moon.

The setting is the 1940s and the main character is Amy, which is short for Amelia. Amy recants her childhood struggles of growing up as a poor, redheaded Black child whose alcoholic father was also a womanizer and wife batterer. Her struggles include witnessing her father's drunkenness, his womanizing, and the battering(s) he gave her mother as well as her older brother Lonnie, with whom Amy also has issues.

Amy's childhood involves more downs than ups. Amy, however, is able to make the most of being a product of a dysfunctional, poor, 1940s Black American family.