Neecey's Lullaby

by Cris Burks

Book Overview

The story of a girl tempered in a crucible of abuse and neglect, Neecey's Lullaby is a superbly crafted narrative in the spirit of the bestselling novels Push and Bastard Out of Carolina. Growing up... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0739464396
• ISBN13: 9780739464397
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Broadway Books
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Good Job Cris Burks!

I can't believe there are such few comments! This was a GREAT read! Neecey's Lullaby was a raw,emotional and entertaining read. Once I started I had to finish just to know how things would end up for her and her family.The character's in this novel are easy to relate to-I reccomend this book to any and everyone...Enjoy!

Life is always fair

Sometimes you become a adult before the age of 18. This book show's the love a a child for her family. I'm waiting for the sequel.

Stolen Innocence

Reveling in her childhood as daddy's little girl, Neecey could not have been a happier child. Loved and cherished by her father, she feels her world is soundly protected. An unexpected visit by a man from her mother's past puts a strain on her parent's relationship. After the unexplained departure of her father, her young world falls apart which is the lament weaved in NEECEY'S LULLABY. Left in poverty, Neecey and her siblings move to a housing project with their mother, Ruby. Ruby's low self-esteem and the desire to receive validation from the arms of a man add additional mouths to feed as a result of unplanned pregnancies. During those times when Ruby is not in a relationship she is extremely abusive to her children. Her poor choice in men exposes her children to sexual predators and situations they should not be privy to. Neecey takes on the responsibilities of being "mother and protector" to her five sisters and brother. Despite their traumatic situation, there are happy moments the children share. After several long-buried secrets are revealed, Neecey starts to question the love that Ruby has for her children. It is through the love that Neecey shares and receives from her siblings that she learns to love herself and receive freedom. Chris Burks has written a very poignant coming of age story about a young girl who is thrust into bearing adult responsibilities. The strength of the novel is in how the author vividly details each scene -- the sights, sounds and smells. I thoroughly enjoyed the rhythmic flow of the prose. This is a must read for lovers of a really good book. Reviewed by Paula Henderson of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Very moving story

This was my first novel by Ms. Burks so I took a chance on purchasing this book as I wanted to explore a new author. She brings the readers right into the lives of the characters. This book was not only moving but thought provoking. Child abuse will fester and continue to grow unless the cycle is broken. Neecy grows up all too fast out of the need to parent her siblings as her parents lack the strenght or skills to raise children. Great Read!!! Looking forward to you next book.

My soul was fed

After reading 'Neecey's Lullaby', I sat for some time. This book is a true example of survival. To live through the things and still believe that there is good in the world and others is an incredible testament to the human spirit. Cris Burks captured my attention from the dedication page.... "Our past does not control us." That one sentence alone changed my perception of many, many things. This book was well written and a must read. I felt Neecey's pain, and rooted for her all the way. After reading this book I passed it on to my daughter, though only a teenager, and she too was touched. I am waiting for the next book. Cris Burks has a fan for life. L. R. Thomas