Kinfolks

by Kristin Hunter Lattany

Ex-revolutionaries from the sixties, now on the far side of 40, best friends Patrice and Cherry are writing a la-de-dah wedding invitation for their soon-to-be-married children--when a shattering truth from the past sends them on an urgent mission. A touching, funny novel of two African American women, their children, and the romantic past they share. A Ballantine Reader's Circle Selection.

276 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Kristin Elaine Hunter (September 12, 1931 - November 14, 2008) was an African American writer from Pennsylvania. She sometimes wrote under the name Kristin Hunter Lattany.

Hunter was born Kristin Eggleston in Philadelphia, attended the University of Pennsylvania and wrote for the Pittsburgh Courier, a black newspaper, until 1952. Her first novel, God Bless the Child, was published in 1964; like most of her work, it confronts complex issues of race and gender. Her 1966 novel The Landlord was made into a movie by Hal Ashby.

Reviews

[Chontali · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the book but thought that it was a bit unrealistic. The main revelation in the book was shocking and should have caused the characters to act more severe. I found myself googling African American chess pieces to see if anyone ever thought to make them--what a cool idea!

[Caroline W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had me turning pages. . .ended too fast.

[M R · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a cute story, but there wasn't much substance to the story and I felt that it glossed over major details in all of the main characters lives so that they weren't more fleshed out than the women an chldren met along the way. I didn't fell particularly drawn to any of the characters and nearly considered not finishing the book, not because of difficulty or especially bad writing, just because it wasn't a compelling story. One of the reviews on the cover likened it to The First Wives Club for black women and I was excited to read it because I really The First Wives Club (the movie), but I did not find it like that at all. Also, I found it quite strange that there was an incestuous relationship that was never truly addressed aside from basically, oh wow this is awkward, which was really awkward. And I felt that it was quite heavy-handed in it's happy ending narrative. Overall, I was disappointed by the book and didn't want to be.

[Asia Ali]

just bouts to start reading ill keep you up dated in about two days :)))
i couldnt relate to this book i only read the first chapter
i couldnt understand so i moved on to the next book ...
i would recomend this book for your parents .
because it talks about these what ? four ladys making a wedding planner for there kids when they grow up .
the first chapter also talked about them chanting for there rights back in the day . it just made it so boaring and none intresting . it felt like i heard a story like this so many tiimes

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago and I understand the importance of knowing your people! Anytime a situation comes up when someone finds out they are related I use this book as an example. This situation is more realistic than you think. I know someone who was the maid of honor in her best friends wedding and was paired with the best man through out all of the activities. A few weeks later while sitting in the beauty salon ear hustling, she overheard a conversation about said wedding and other details and realized that the guy she was paired with was her half brother! It can happen!!!

[Mahoghani 23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book discussed the decisions that women make that sometimes come back to haunt us in the worst possible way. Good read.

[Milly · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was just ok