Betty
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Book Overview
A stunning, lyrical novel set in the rolling foothills of the Appalachians about a young girl and the family truths that will haunt her for the rest of her life. "A girl comes of age against the knife." So begins the story of Betty Carpenter. Born in a bathtub in 1954 to a white mother and a Cherokee father, Betty is the sixth of eight siblings. The world they inhabit in the rural town of Breathed, Ohio, is one of poverty and violence--both from outside the family and, devastatingly, from within. But despite the hardships she faces, Betty is resilient. Her curiosity about the natural world, her fierce love for her sisters, and her father's brilliant stories are kindling for the fire of her own imagination, and in the face of all to which she bears witness, Betty discovers an escape: she begins to write. Inspired by generations of her family, Tiffany McDaniel sets out to free the past by delivering this heartbreaking yet magical story--a remarkable novel that establishes her as one of the most important voices in American fiction.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1984897942
ISBN13:9781984897947
Release Date:July 2021
Publisher:Vintage
Length:496 Pages
Weight:0.84 lbs.
Dimensions:1.2" x 5.1" x 7.9"
Customer Reviews
4 ratings
4.5 stars
Published by INKwitchery , 2 months ago
BETTY by Tiffany McDaniel
A coming of age, family drama set in the Appalachian Mountains in Southern Ohio during the 1950s. Per the author, this is a semi-biographical account of her mother’s life.
The story follows Betty Carpenter, a mixed race girl, and her five siblings. Betty favors more of her father’s looks with her dark hair, eyes and tanned skin. As such she is singled by her own family, the townspeople and kids at school.
While Betty endures criticism, racism and prejudice, her one shining star is her father. Landon’s life lessons, love of nature, stories of Cherokee mythology and herbal remedies help Betty navigate her life with compassion and courage.
While the prose is beautiful and lyrical, Betty’s story is completely devastating, heart wrenching and brutal. I do recommend this, but check trigger warnings before reading. It won’t be for everyone.
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Absolutely devoured this book
Published by Emily , 1 year ago
Beautifully written, my new favorite novel.
Devastating
Published by John Webb , 1 year ago
Betty is so beautifully written. It’s filled with extreme sadness and is hard to read at times but it’s also filled with love and sweetness.
Depressing
Published by TJ , 1 year ago
I'm really not into this book. I'm having to push myself to read it and feel like quitting. I think I am going to quit.
It's a story of extreme child abuse, neglect, mental illness and trauma and in a very extreme way. I don't mind sad stories or reading of what people have suffered but this one is just one train wreck after another and I am 2/3rds in.
I'm glad I bought it 2nd hand and didn't waste more money.
I don't want to give any spoilers so that's all I will say except I wouldn't recommend it to others.
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