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Silenced
Award-winning author Kia DuPree, hailed for her heart-wrenching storytelling and unforgettable characters, now she takes readers to Washington, D.C.'s most notorious neighborhood, where a young woman has one chance to escape—and too many ways to lose...She gets lost in the fantasy of books and poetry. But in Tinka Hampton's all-too-real world, her mother Nicola has lost her job and is struggling to stop her family's fall into poverty. With her sons turning to drug dealing—and worse—Nicola wants better things for her daughter. Yet the more pressure she puts on Tinka to do everything right, the more she drives her away...straight into the arms of Nine, a man as irresistible as he is lethal. Now Nicola must make unimaginable choices that will put Tinka at a dangerous crossroads. Will standing up for her seemingly impossible dreams be her way out—or will they trap her on D.C.'s merciless streets forever?
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
6 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 5, 2012
I went ahead and gave this book a four because it was compelling, but it also made me completely crazy. Watching the daughter narrator (the mother also narrates some) make the same choices she despises in others, while somehow completely oblivious that she's doing it, was torture. The characterization is very good, but many of the characters are at times hard to sympathize with, including abusive men and murderous drug dealers. If A Tree Grows in Brooklyn celebrates the spirit of those trying to do better than what they've been given, this book was about the rest of the people fighting emotional and financial poverty - and mostly giving up fighting and doing whatever makes the pain subside. I don't know how realistic it was, but the author grew up in the neighborhoods she wrote about, so I assume there was verisimilitude, though I hope the novel was the extreme.
Small spoiler about the end ahead:
I don't usually read urban fiction, but this is well-written and pulled me into the plot. It's true that there isn't a lot of action until closer to the end, but I could have had less of that - I was enjoying and drawn into the full portraits of lives different than my own.
Small spoiler about the end ahead:
I don't usually read urban fiction, but this is well-written and pulled me into the plot. It's true that there isn't a lot of action until closer to the end, but I could have had less of that - I was enjoying and drawn into the full portraits of lives different than my own.
July 18, 2016
Good read
April 13, 2022
I loved this book with everything in me 💓 the story was definitely a tear jerker because a-lot of terrible things happened to the main characters but it was a story that is a reality for alot of minorities living in poverty stricken communities. I loved the main character tinka and saw alot of her in me as well; having to deal with the pressures of life. This book had me sold and im definitely checking out more books from kia dupree 😌
October 30, 2011
A mother’s love normally runs deep and the bond is hard to break. A time comes when a mother has to let her children go in order for them to learn on their own. In Silenced by Kia Dupree, readers learn about a struggling mother and her relationship with her daughter.
Nicola is trying her best to raise her three children in the heart of the projects in Washington, DC. It becomes harder each day because the streets keep calling her sons to a life of dangerous consequences. After the family settles down, Nicola starts seeing a change in her daughter, Tinka. Nicola is at her wits end but does not want to give up on her children.
Tinka is growing up around thieves, drug dealers and two destructive brothers. She is frustrated because her mother depends on her too much. Tinka reaches her boiling point and realizes that she does not want to be the apple of her mother’s eye. Tinka breaks out on a new lease on life, which includes new adventures and an unsuspected ending.
Silenced is about change and all change is not good. It is also about a daughter who learns about life the hard way. I could appreciate the mother and daughter relationship displayed in this book because it reminded me of myself. However, the book starts slow and picks up too late in the story. It did not have a wow factor for me and it was hard to stay interested. The issues portrayed in this book reminded me of what many single mothers are going through trying to raise their children in such influential times.
Nicola is trying her best to raise her three children in the heart of the projects in Washington, DC. It becomes harder each day because the streets keep calling her sons to a life of dangerous consequences. After the family settles down, Nicola starts seeing a change in her daughter, Tinka. Nicola is at her wits end but does not want to give up on her children.
Tinka is growing up around thieves, drug dealers and two destructive brothers. She is frustrated because her mother depends on her too much. Tinka reaches her boiling point and realizes that she does not want to be the apple of her mother’s eye. Tinka breaks out on a new lease on life, which includes new adventures and an unsuspected ending.
Silenced is about change and all change is not good. It is also about a daughter who learns about life the hard way. I could appreciate the mother and daughter relationship displayed in this book because it reminded me of myself. However, the book starts slow and picks up too late in the story. It did not have a wow factor for me and it was hard to stay interested. The issues portrayed in this book reminded me of what many single mothers are going through trying to raise their children in such influential times.
October 16, 2011
Confessions and Reflections
Nicola has it hard as a single mother trying to raise three children on her own. When she loses her job, gets evicted and finds herself moving in with a friend and losing control over her children, she realizes that her life is a lesson for her children, but mainly her young daughter Tinka. Will she be able to teach Tinka how to remain true to herself while loving her sons?
Full of potential, it’s obvious to others that Teyona aka Tinka is a different kind of girl. She’s always reading, writing poetry and seeing things inversely. As their family begins to change, Tinka tries to maintain her identity. But soon, she starts to adapt to her environment, trading her books in for fashion and boys. Though she tries to keep herself in line, she feels pressure from her mother to be the one to survive their lifestyle as her older brothers have apparently failed to live up to their potential. Can Tinka make her mother proud or will she become another victim?
SILENCED by Kia Dupree is voluminous. I love how you meet the characters, the community and you instantly become intricately involved in. As the story moves forward, you find yourself praying for this family as their lives seem to be in a turnstile with heartache and drama nipping at the heels. This is a very realistic account of the choices we make and why. SILENCED is worthy of a recommendation.
Reviewed by: Crystal
Nicola has it hard as a single mother trying to raise three children on her own. When she loses her job, gets evicted and finds herself moving in with a friend and losing control over her children, she realizes that her life is a lesson for her children, but mainly her young daughter Tinka. Will she be able to teach Tinka how to remain true to herself while loving her sons?
Full of potential, it’s obvious to others that Teyona aka Tinka is a different kind of girl. She’s always reading, writing poetry and seeing things inversely. As their family begins to change, Tinka tries to maintain her identity. But soon, she starts to adapt to her environment, trading her books in for fashion and boys. Though she tries to keep herself in line, she feels pressure from her mother to be the one to survive their lifestyle as her older brothers have apparently failed to live up to their potential. Can Tinka make her mother proud or will she become another victim?
SILENCED by Kia Dupree is voluminous. I love how you meet the characters, the community and you instantly become intricately involved in. As the story moves forward, you find yourself praying for this family as their lives seem to be in a turnstile with heartache and drama nipping at the heels. This is a very realistic account of the choices we make and why. SILENCED is worthy of a recommendation.
Reviewed by: Crystal
March 16, 2014
Silenced was told alternately from daughter Teyona (Tinka)and mother Nicola's point of views. It was somewhat predictable but realistic. Nicola has three kids by three different men. Marquan, Taevon, and Tinka. She tells you exactly how this came to be. Nicola (although young and pretty) was looking for something or someone to make her feel worthy. She has a sister who has "done better". Towards the end of the book we learn how their mother treated her sister Renee better. None of her kids fathers is really in the picture except Teddy. Middle son Taevon's father. He cheated on her all through their relationship and, manipulates his way back into her life after the family finds themselves without a place to live. Tinka is smart and quiet. She likes to read and sees all the pitfalls of living in the neighborhood they live in. We get descriptions of the neighbors through her eyes. Which is why her getting pregnant and not finishing school is disappointing. Her brothers follow the steps their fathers and many others followed before them. In and out of trouble and jail. At the end of the book there is glimmer of hope after a lot of tragedy.
April 14, 2015
This was such an amazing book.
I didn't like it at first. It took me a couple chapters to get in it, but once I did I couldn't put it down. It's beautifully written, brutally realistic, and mesmerizing. It so simply captured life in American projects, and the violence cycle associated with it. Think is an amazing character and seeing her develop throughout the book was fantastic. It's a tragic tale with a dramatic and beautiful ending.
I've never read any of Kia DuPree's work, but if it's anything remotely at the same level of Silenced, I cannot wait to get my hands on it.
I didn't like it at first. It took me a couple chapters to get in it, but once I did I couldn't put it down. It's beautifully written, brutally realistic, and mesmerizing. It so simply captured life in American projects, and the violence cycle associated with it. Think is an amazing character and seeing her develop throughout the book was fantastic. It's a tragic tale with a dramatic and beautiful ending.
I've never read any of Kia DuPree's work, but if it's anything remotely at the same level of Silenced, I cannot wait to get my hands on it.
February 2, 2017
SILENT AFTER READING THIS NOVEL!!!
Im not good at writing reviews without spoilers, so this will be short. This novel deserved more than five stars! I read the whole novel in almost one sitting. Reading this book was so realistic. The characters traits, the things they said and did seemed as if I was also there with them. This novel portrayed what can happen if you let your environment consume you. I am a big Urban Fiction fan and I must say that this is the best Urban Fiction Novel I read in a while. I will be checking out more novels by this authour.
Im not good at writing reviews without spoilers, so this will be short. This novel deserved more than five stars! I read the whole novel in almost one sitting. Reading this book was so realistic. The characters traits, the things they said and did seemed as if I was also there with them. This novel portrayed what can happen if you let your environment consume you. I am a big Urban Fiction fan and I must say that this is the best Urban Fiction Novel I read in a while. I will be checking out more novels by this authour.
March 17, 2012
I enjoyed this story about a young girl (Tinka) growing up in a bad neighborhood. Her mother struggles with trying to keep Tinka on the straight path, along with keep her older sons out of trouble and the family from living on the streets. To complicate things is mom's live-in boyfriend whom Tinka doesn't like. I didn't care too much for the mom (and I cannot remember her name at all right now), but I did enjoy reading about the other characters.
July 14, 2013
Unfortunately things like the chaos in this poor girls life happen and is so sad. Tales of the hood for real! This was a great read, was always something happening literally like it is in many projects around the nation. Violence everywhere, folks growing up together killing each other... so tragic. I wish Tinka could have had a happy ending with her child's father, but in reality, for many that's neither here nor there and she just ended up being another statistic.
January 20, 2014
Nicola a single parent just want the best for all her kids but her daughter Tinka is dear to her heart why because she doesn't want her to follow in her footsteps.
Tinka a young girl who is the goody two shoes in the family tries her best to live up o her mother dream for her bu when life doesn't go as planned can she sill make he dream come true?<
A attention getter from page one. Drama filled & action pack read. I really enjoyed this story
Tinka a young girl who is the goody two shoes in the family tries her best to live up o her mother dream for her bu when life doesn't go as planned can she sill make he dream come true?<
A attention getter from page one. Drama filled & action pack read. I really enjoyed this story
September 1, 2015
this was good too. it was just as good as damaged. it just got a little silly to me at some parts but otherwise it was good. im glad she is telling the tales of the inner city because there are many scholars in the hood if not more than the suburbs. the main character was a bit naïve but she was overall a good girl. but one thing i would've done was kept that baby. i would've got rid of it. but the best part is that she went to Italy. i have never been overseas and i bet it was lovely.
October 6, 2016
All through out the book I was wondering if there would be a big bang but instead there were ripples all through out that makes a big impact, which you'll see more clearly at the end. The ending reminded me a little of what happened with myself a few months back. Tinka reminds me of myself so much. Being a good girl in an environment that was created to tear people apart. This was such a great book. It definitely leaves a lasting impact (Just like Shattered by Kia Dupree).
April 8, 2012
This is a story about a young black girl struggling to do the right thing faced with all the obstacles of her life..living in the projects, a drug abusing mother, violence in the neighborhood and extending into her family. Does she make the right choices...not always, but that is life and the author does a good job telling her story.
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June 27, 2013It was a lot going on in this book after the children were taken away. I thought it was a page turner and the dialogue between the characters were excellent. Yes, it was gritty and raw and if you like that in a story line then I would recommend this book. It was a page turner and it kept me interested enough to finish the book.
May 21, 2012
I loved this book. Read it in one day. Tinka reminds me of my self sorta in a way. With loving to read and writing poetry. Anyways I hope there will be a sequel because I want to know how her life ends up trying to raise her baby and if Taevon come back out of hiding out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2012
wow Kia done did it again...I love all her books...and this is no different...this is a must read...it had so much drama and heartbreaking details you will love this...I can't wait until Kia comes out wit another best seller
February 5, 2013
Silenced was wonder of the better Urban fictions books I have read. It really made you want to ask questions. I thought it was interesting that book was told by the two main women characters and I wonder why. This book would probably make a good discussion book.
March 23, 2015
A young girl coming of age in DC is a harrowing experience. Especially if your home situation is dire. Sexual molestation and experimentation are par for the course. Guns and gang violence abound. This was a harrowing read.
August 17, 2016
OMG This was such a great book! Grabbed me from the first paragraph. I love the works of Kia Dupree. Her books remind me of modern times folklore like Zora Neal. Keep up the great works! Thank you! Blessu!
January 15, 2012
Loved this book. Tinka went thru a whole lot. It was a page turner from beginning to end. Kia DuPree is now one of my favs.
January 16, 2012
EXCELLENT!!!! This story was simply awesome!! I LOVE Ms. Dupree's work! Once I started reading this book I COULD NOT put it down!
January 16, 2012
A very good read.
February 22, 2012
i wasn't too fond of this book until then end. it started getting better but ended extremely sad.
May 24, 2012
The award winning author of Damaged has written aother thought-provoking, compelling novel. Mothers and daughters everywhere can strengthen their relationsships from reading this book.
October 9, 2012
Great book.
October 27, 2012
Very good must read for young females
October 30, 2012
Depressing, even though the ending was hopeful, still this girl went through so much, it was overwhelming to read.
February 27, 2013
This book was a decent read. It showed me how it can get hard.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews