Momma: Gone

by Nina Foxx

"Momma set me on the jukebox." So begins the personal story of Denise (Sweetie) Wooten, set between a post-civil rights era New York City and a growing, but stale rural Alabama. We are thrust in the midst of a family longing for normalcy, but instead struggling with illness and all that comes with it; denial, anger and misunderstanding and love. As cultures clash, we see the family through a child s eyes and walk with her as she makes sense of war fought far away, but with effects close to home, and a tragedy that changes her life forever. More truth than not, Gone is a story of survival, where all the lessons are taught by the child who must eventually lead them through and a classic American story of overcoming life s misfortunes to find the bloom on the other side. -Shortlisted for a Doctorow Award in Innovative Fiction

252 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2014

About the author

I'm a storyteller, and my stories manifest themselves in novels, plays, films and fiber. I make things and always have projects going in all of these areas, and sometimes more than one of them intersect. I travel to feed my stories. I teach yoga for conferences, events and online a few times a week. Shivasana is my favorite pose, because, well, who doesn't like to lay down?!

In addition to authoring over 20 narrative publications, I've written three plays, a few films, and have authored sereval Industrial Design Patents. I work a day job in tech--because I love it. I am a frequent speaker at conferences about being A Blerd (Black Girl Nerd), Black in Technology, Women's Health and other topics.

My work has been nominated for several awards, including an NAACP Image Award, A Doctorow Award for Innovative Fiction, and several African American Literary Awards.

I am the founder of The Writing Sisters Summit, a writing and wellness retreat for Women of Color, and am currently an Artist-In-Residence at Brown Soul Productions.
I am originally from Jamaica, New York, but now live in the Seattle Area for most of the year.

Reviews

[Dynah Zale · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bridge to nowhere

I’m sorry but this book had a lot of missing information. The plot was full of holes. The author explained a lot in the authors note at the end of the book but I wish she would have been more detailed in the storyline. I believe that was apart of the reason it took me so long to finish this book.

Also I believe impact was taken away from the story because the story was being told from the point of such a young child. The story just seemed scattered.

[LATOYA LEWIS · Rating 4 out of 5]

An look inside of losing your mother at am early age to cancer and how your father copes and moves on. It touches on grandmothers and their importance in your child's upbringing. How to keep watch over family members because they'll prey on your children and the resentment people will hold against you for trying to be happy. Great Read especially from a young child's mind frame to adulthood. Always be mindful of your surroundings. #Book19of2021 #bookworm #whatsnext

[Jackie Mays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memories of buried feelings

This memoir resonated with me in many ways. From growing up with my father, to dealing with the illness of my mother. Thank you for helping me realize many of my forgotten memories are simply because I ways doing whatever was needed to survive the day while walking through it either numb or angry. Thank you for sharing such a raw story, and I am ever thankful for my healing. May many in need find their pathway and voice.

[Blue North · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. The author writes that it's a mixture of memoir and fiction. Monica and Little Man are brother and sister. Their mother had many problems. She soon dies leaving the children with their father. The father cares a great deal about his kids. However, it's not hard to figure out for a man to figure out the right way to raise two children is not easy. Momma: Gone by Nina Foxx is about striving to survive after a mother and wife have passed away.

It's not long before the father finds the person he thinks would make the perfect babysitter. However, living with this woman, her daughter and son is a disaster. I felt really sorry for the kids. They didn't have the voice to tell their father how they felt. It's not long before he sends them down South to their real grandmother. She is what all of us want in a grandmother. They're first morning there she cooks them bacon, grits and eggs. She loves her grandchildren deeply, and it's hard for the children to want to leave and go back home.

At the babysitter's, Monica will experience an abuse perpetrated by the son, Everett. His mother blames Monica for the incident. Little Man comes back from down South wanting everyone to call him Ken or Kenneth. He's grown up too. Before he left for Alabama, he would wet the bed. I think this was because
he missed his mother. He also was traumatized by the bad treatment in the babysitter's house. He tries his wings by running away.

As if the children don't have enough problems, their father has a girlfriend. All of a sudden she's a part of their life with little introduction. I really could feel the pain of the father and the children. It's not easy to remake a family after one parent passes away. Nina Foxx has written fifteen books. This makes me happy. I already have the next one picked out that I want to read.http://aalbc.com/authors/ninafoxx.htm

[Idrissa Uqdah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing....

This story was just amazing. The author took me places that I did not want to go. I was so sad for Sweetie and her brother. I was sad for her father too. Losing a mother is so hard on a family. Nina Fox did an amazing job of showing how much. She didn't just tell the story, she showed how circumstances can change the lives of people.

I highly recommend this book. Having read some of the author's previous chick lit novels; I am glad she stepped out of the box and has written an amazing story that captured my heart.

Too many times, folk take in other people's children for all of the wrong reasons. This is was happened to Sweetie and her brother.

Kudos to you, Nina Foxx for having the courage to write a story that didn't give your readers the same old, same old.

[Yolanda Gore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! The more I read Momma: Gone, the more I relived my childhood...some fond and some not so fond memories, but I still enjoyed Momma: Gone. I love reading Literary Fiction, which is exactly what Nina Foxx writes. Momma: Gone is the personal story of Denise "Sweetie" Wooten, set between a post-civil rights era New York City and a growing but stale, rural Alabama. I loved the spark of Sweetie. She had a lot of spunk, but also held in a lot. I could relate to her on so many levels. Trust me...you won't be disappointed. **I received an advance copy from the author.**

[Nina Foxx]

...A grief laden journey that will tug at your heart. Profoundly moving. ---Anita Doreen Diggs, author The Other Side of the Game, former editor, Random House, AALBC.com

"A moving Tale of a family drowning in the wake of tragedy." --Mat Johnson, Author of Pym

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal story! The story of Sweetie kept me on the edge of my seat. I cried throughout this story. I felt every emotion Sweetie described and the author made sure of that. I would recommend this book to adults and young adults. Very courageous story!