Oprah's Book Club (Official) discussion

This is your place to discuss anything in the Ruthie, Ella, Alice & Billups chapters. Ask a question or offer your thoughts.

Ella and Alice and Billups have been my favorite chapters so far. I finally am getting into this book. I was blown away by Ella by the fear for Pearl and Benny. I so thought they were going to be attacked. Also when Hattie handed over Ella. I really believed she wouldn't do it. I am interested in what others think about why she finally does? I wonder if Pearl and Benny can give her a better life or will it be more opportunity?

Rebecca wrote: "Ella and Alice and Billups have been my favorite chapters so far. I finally am getting into this book. I was blown away by Ella by the fear for Pearl and Benny. I so thought they were going to be a..."

I think Hattie Gives Ella To Pearl because she understands that's Ella chance to have a better future. Hattie loves her children but she isn't caring or loving toward them, she can't be, So Hattie doesn't have even that advantage on Pearl. This would be Pearl's only child, and I think she understands that Ella would have no just finantial security but a loving mother as well.

Rebecca wrote: "Ella and Alice and Billups have been my favorite chapters so far. I finally am getting into this book. I was blown away by Ella by the fear for Pearl and Benny. I so thought they were going to be a..."

I also didn't think that in the end Hattie was going to give Ella up. I do think that she felt she was doing the best thing for Ella. I think Pearl and Benny can give Ella better life and will love her as their only child or at least that what I hope.

Hattie had settled for her life and she was okay with it. However, she desired something better for her children.

I am in awe of Hattie's strength, her unselfishness. Just because Pearl and Benny was more financially secure can they provide a better home? Their home was a loveless home. But could Hattie love Ella into a better lifestlye than her own

I agree with all the previous posts. Ella was one of my favorite chapters in the book. I got really emotional while reading it thinking about Hattie having to give one of her children away. A little over a year ago my sister found out she was pregnant and was going to be a pretty young single mother. She contemplated adoption and in the end decided to keep the baby. As I was reading about Ella, Hatties struggles really hit home with me and I really connected with her.

I agree Charlene. I would like to know more about Alice too. I wondered if she was molested too if not by the same person but someone else.

I was actually a little surprised about the affair and Ruthie, even though Avery made the comment in Floyd's chapter. I think Hattie went back out of necessity, realizing that she was fleeing one mess for another and at least with August, she knew what she had going for her there. With Lawrence, she didn't fully know.

Starting Ella today.

Rebecca wrote: "Ella and Alice and Billups have been my favorite chapters so far. I finally am getting into this book. I was blown away by Ella by the fear for Pearl and Benny. I so thought they were going to be a..."

I agree that Hattie knew the only way Ruthie would have a better life was to give her to Pearl & Benny. One would say this was unselfish of her. Maybe. I felt that Hattie had a little too much pride. She had kids that were loving better than her but she wouldn't take a handout from them, though she was in need.

My favourite chapters so far. August accepted Ruthie better than I anticipated of him. Pearl and Benny's relationship made me cringe from time to time and often wonder if they would not be better remaining childless.

I just finished the chapter on Ruthie and I feel really gave more insight into Hattie than anything else.

Where do I begin? Ruthie and Ella are my favorite chapters so far. I felt Hattie's feelings through the pages. Uncertainty, pride, shame, betrayal and finally acceptance.

In Ruthie's chapter, I was completely surprised that Hattie packed up and left her children. I was not, however, surprised that she returned. I don't think Hattie left Lawrence because she missed August, but out of necessity. It's like a lightbulb clicked and she realized that life would be no better. Might as well stay with August where she knows what to expect. This surely was the turning point in her marriage to August. He realized he could not do it alone. Life was not manageable without Hattie around.

I thought Hattie would not willingly give Ella to her sister Pearl and Benny. I was actually hoping that she toughed it out and kept Ella. By now, we learn what kind of mother Hattie is. For a second, Hattie thought Ella would be her chance to change and become that loving, doting mother. At the last minute, she still viewed it as losing another child and gave up hope.

Sure, Pearl and Benny can give Ella a better home in terms of finances. But there is no love.

Alice & Billups have a strange relationship. Alice thinks she is the caretaker of Billups, but it seems to be the other way around. Alice seems delusional. There is definitely more to the molestation story for Alice to be so affected by it.

I love this line from Ruthie
"He reached over and squeezed Ruthie's fat little leg. "I love you," said Lawrence said. I love you both."

Lawrence was trying to show, Hattie, that he would be a responsible man and take care of both Ruthie and Hattie, but it was the gambling that made her mind up and that Lawrence was no better than August and thought of not having all of her children with her, tore ber apart.

I agree, that there must have been more molestation, that had gone on for Alice to feel this way.

I was shocked that in the end, that Hattie,
would give up Ella to Pearl. Hattie in the end put aside her selfishness to better Ella's life, the life that she couldn't give and that Pearl could give her. It must be hard to give away apart of you and feel the grief and emptiness that tug at your heart strings.

I wanted to applaud Hattie when she left Lawrence and went back to August. I think it's the best decision she has made thus far. I haven't finished the book yet so I don't know if I'm going to regret saying this later.

Ella: 1954
"I don't want Ella to go no more then you do..."

I am one of many people given up by a biological mother- so that I could have a better life, and so that she could have a more manageable one. I was told by my biological mother that she didn't want to go on welfare and poverty was great with two newborn babies. I love my mom who raised me and I wouldn't want anything other then what I was given- "HER". Hattie has a life, everyone has wants, goals and dreams. People overwhelm themselves in life and it doesn't make them a bad person. When a mother makes a difficult decision to uplift her child's life in anyway- this is responsible, brave and loving. What should be remembered is that every life has it's own mind and heart. With this thought, even a loving decision to escape the low depth's of poverty or some other human trouble may have consequences that are not favorable and need to be accepted. Sometimes bravery doesn't reward a person with the jewel they expect. -M.