The Twelve Tribes of Hattie question

I think books need to be judged subjectively sometimes, especially when you compare a classic to something more contemporary.

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To me a 3 star rating means it was ok but I wouldn't read it again, although others may like it. If I love a book I give it 4 stars. Don't think I've ever given a book 5 stars. I don't know what could make one book that outstanding.

I gave it a 4, even though I found some parts not to be authentic. Still, it was a good, well written book. I saw the interview with the author, and she said Hattie did love her kids, but was too poor for them to really know it, that she was just trying to keep them fed -- Really? Now, that confuses me, for sure.

I think Hattie was a young woman of the time period. She did what she had to do to survive;love was included but there was no extra. Everyone blames someone for their failures at life, but to change is your own life journey.

3 - good (decent, would recommend, glad to have read it)
4 - above average (really enjoyed, hard to put down, highly recommend)
5 - exceptional (all time fav)

This book did not have much happiness . Basically it is the story of a young Negro woman who had a good for nothing husband and twelve children. The book recounts some of the lives of these children as well as the lives of their mother and father as they aged . The book deals with child deaths, drugs, disease, mental illness, addictions, relationships, regrets etc. In the end though it is family over everything that prevails.

Im glad this thread was started.I loved The Twelve Tribes Of Hattie.She lost her first born twins at an early age & I felt she never recovered fully.An age where although slavery abolished still the segregation,racisum & the shared poverty of all. Hattie brought her children up to survive in a house where precious little money came in.Her husband frittered away money on drink & women but thought arrogantly he wasn't bad because he went back to his wife at night. Hattie accepted this situation because marriage was for life & wmen put up with a lot.
The children each loved & yearned love back from their mother.She was proud of her children & wanted better for them.This book gave an interesting account of all the family,their thoughts,trials,ups & downs.I couldn't say this was a C? book.A book worthy of reading & discussion groups

I found this book exceptional because when I consider rating a book I look at 6 things:
Plot
Characters
Setting
Style
Themes
Wild card: did I like it? would I read it again? did I learn anything?

Each of these elements of Twelve Tribes of Hattie ranked high, so therefore, I deemed it a 5 star book.

3 stars means the book was ok and I don't regret having read it.