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There are currently 40 member reviews
for The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
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Judy W. (Tucker, GA)
The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls
The author presented an aspect of crime, incarcerated women, which was completely new to me. I did become a little confused with all the many characters. Ms. Gray didn't seem to have time to introduce and expand upon how all fit together. Since the reason for Althea and Proctor's trial and crime were not mentioned until halfway through the novel, the plot seemed disjointed. The reader can assume Ms Gray was trying to "hook" us into her story.
It was well written, which is always a pleasure to read. I would recommend this title to book clubs because a myriad of conversations could result during a discussion.
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Jeanne B. (Albuquerque, NM)
A Ravenously Hungry Reader
I really wanted to like this gorgeously-titled book. I wanted to like it so much that I read it twice, searching for what I thought I must have missed the first time. But I just ended up doubly frustrated. It's not for the author's lack of talent. Anissa Gray is an absolutely beautiful, fearless writer. I have no doubt that she's poised on the edge of a huge career in literary fiction. What doomed this book for me is its "too-muchness" - too many characters, too many issues, too many storylines, too many points of view - which ultimately left me unsatisfied with not enough of anything. (Ironic, given the title.) It almost started to veer into soap opera territory where, in lieu of authentic action, characters mostly just talked and talked and talked about the actions that mostly occurred "off-stage," switching from sister to sister to sister to husband's letters from prison and back again. It was dizzying. I wanted to identify with someone, follow someone's story, but they each kept slipping away, yielding to someone else's narrative, eventually beginning to all sound alike. Any one of the issues could easily have been the subject of an entire meaty book. I hope the author has the confidence in her next book to select just a few themes to explore in depth, trusting that all the untold stories she's bursting to bring to life will have their say, just not all at once. I'm not sure I would recommend this book to my friends, but I can hardly wait to read Ms. Gray's next novel.
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Jane E. (Port Republic, MD)
Great writing
I almost didn't finish this book, because I found it a little hard to follow. Anissa Gray writes beautifully and it was the saving grace. It's a sad story of a family and the choices each member made and the guilt, shame, and anger that follows them throughout their lives. It's definitely not a feel good book. There wasn't much happiness in it at all. Everyone just tries to get along the best they know how. There are a lot of good reviews of this book; it just wasn't my cup of tea.
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Dorinne D. (Wickenburg, AZ)
Dysfunctional Management
The emotions expressed in this book are over the top for me. The ways in which each character deals with these emotions is what moves the story. This was not a story I could embrace but though I didn't really like it, I continued reading it to the end. Somehow every one of the characters seems to have come around to being able to handle the dysfunctional problems each had been experiencing. For that reason, I ended up not hating the book, but I couldn't embrace it as being a favorite.
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Peggy A. (Morton Grove, IL)
Mash up of a book
I found this book to be a rambling, confusing mash up of too many characters having way too many problems. As a reader, I felt I needed a scorecard to keep the four sisters and their numerous relationships straight in my head. Also, I felt no emotional connection to any of them. The one positive thing I can say that I did like, however, is Anissa Gray's skilled use of language. Dialogue was smart and believable. I wish the author more success on her next book!
