The Coldest Winter Ever

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely wonderful storytelling...
Review: "The Coldest Winter Ever" is one of the most riveting books I have ever read. In writing this book, Souljah has a way of keeping the reader guessing as to what will happen next to the main character, Winter. What I really liked about the book was the reality of the events that happened. Living life in the projects of NY and the mentality of people who are miseducated as to what life should be about was accurately depicted by the author. The lessons that I feel were to be learned are that 1) what goes around truly does come around and 2) life events are a continuous cycle...especially if you don't try to change yourself and your surroundings to help to make a better life. Winter, unfortunately, learned these life lessons too late. Souljah, thank you sooo much for this absolutely breathtaking story. I am a black female and live two blocks from the projects in my neighborhood but have never actually been directly exposed to that type of life or what goes on down the street from me. I personally benefited from this book tremendously, not just for the storytelling, but the truth and realness of it.

PeaceLove&Progress

Rating:
Summary: Coldest Winter Ever. . . Chills
Review: Immediately, I knew this story was on the "Donald Goines" tip in its raw appeal. Souljah's style is simple,yet riveting. Blunt, in its text, this story speaks to people.

What can I say about Winter? She didn't have much of a chance--look at her parents. Still, we all have the right to choose and Winter chose what she knew. I ain't mad at her, but I sure felt sorry for her. She wasn't the most likeable girl; yet, I felt compassionate towards her because she was so young, shallow, and ignorant! And that's putting it mildly.

I read this book in its entirety in one day, then passed it on to my 16 year-old daughter who knows what it's like to be all about the designer gear and the benjamins. She, too, was compelled by Winter, and to a point, could relate.

We both found Winter, cold, nasty, promiscuous. Lets face it; Winter was foul. Sister Souljah's cameo was a nice touch. She was a positive act for Winter to follow.

Thankfully, this was not another: Comedy-in-Black-Fiction story. It was original and real in its ending. It ended the way it ended; NOT the way the author would have guessed that her reader's wanted it to end. I thought about Winter later. Did she get what she deserved? Did she ponder her mistakes?

Rating:
Summary: Pros and Cons
Review: Pros: This book was a real page turner. The characters and plot were well developed. Entertaining.
Cons: I sometimes here this book placed into the same category as Push by Saphire, The Color Purple, and There Eyese Were Watching God. But her prose lacks style and is rough on the edges. I would recommend the above three books far above this one.
Edit: As a teacher in the South Bronx, I am well aware of the conflicts that teens face, but I wonder if this book is counter-productive in that I see it being passed around and it's really popular among the kids and I would hope they learn from Winter's story. However, I feel that sometimes Sistah Souljah glamorized that lifestyle, without meaning to off course. The kids like it because of the drama, but I highly doubt they would say, "Hey, I don't want to end up like Winter." I'd just read this for entertainment. I know that's what my students read it for.

Rating:
Summary: MMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm!
Review: The Coldest Winter Ever - Sista Souljah. This book was picked by someone in our bookclub. It was serious. I loved it. I couldn't put it down. I left work early, told them I wasn't feeling well, so I could go home and read this book. MMMMMMMmmmmm! I loved it! Winter was something else, it was about her and her only. I can not relate to her at all. BUT THERE ARE DEFINETLY SOME YOUNG LADIES OUT HERE WHO CAN. They can definetly benefit from reading this book. Thank God I dont have a daughter. Winter was scandelous. I loved the fact that Bilal was the person he was. (Dont want to tell the book) I also liked that when Souljah appeared in the book nothing changed Winter. That's what made me like it more, I thought that since Souljah was the author and she was in the book that she would make herself have some kind of influence on Winter. This book should be put into the school systems. To many young girls these days eyes Bulge out of their heads when they see nice cars, rims, clothes. Some of ya'll know, what I'm talking about. Souljah bring us another one!

Rating:
Summary: powerful book
Review: This was one of the best books i have ever read and it was so real. The way Sista discribed the characters was like you could really see them. Not to metioned me myself fell in love with Midnight. So i highly recommend this book to everyone.