HOOPI SHOOPI DONNA

Rating:
Summary: Never Again
Review: After reading all of the reviews on Hoopi Shoopi Donna, I figured it would be a quick and easy read (since so many everyday people had seemed to enjoy it). Unfortunately, my hypothesis was quickly proven wrong after only two chapters. The book was slow moving and incredibly frustrating. Reading the book took so long that I found myself constantly falling asleep midsentence. Not only that, but when I rarely was able to stay awake, I often found myelf having to go back and reread entire pages to understand what I had just read. The Polish words and traditions offered help, while the impossible circumstances and events crushed the books believablity, and the author's credibility. If this book hadn't been chosen by my group to read for my high school Comtemporary Literature class, there is no way that I would have finished it. The book was frustrating and the characters caused me to hate the book even more than the slow pace. Their actions and reasoning were so unbelievably frustrating that it made reading the book feel more like a chore than a choice. After finally finishing Hoopi Shoopi Donna, I came to the conclusion that I will NOT be recommending this book to anyone unless they've been having trouble at night, and are looking for a guaranteed sleep aid.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect Pitch
Review: I just finished reading Hoopi Shoopi Donna in October, 2001, although it was written in '96. Found it on a clearance shelf in a local drugstore and was attracted by the title and cover. What a great find! It was written with the kind of humor I enjoy. Just a daily take on everday life and relationships. I found the Polish family traditions interesting but the relationships were "every family." Donna's thoughts were so honest, even though she admitted herself they were not always kind. She knew she was being unpleasant at times but felt it was her right. Boy, I've felt that many times!
I am in a book club in my area and can't wait for my turn to host and choose the book... as I already know my selection. This definitely needs to be discussed with others.
The only adverse thing I can think of is my sympathy for the nice guys who always got dumped led me to being very frustrated with Donna. She's comes around at the end. Never have I considered reading a book twice... but this may be the one.

Rating:
Summary: What a Great Read !
Review: I loved this book ! While I'm a Polish-American, you don't have to have the ethnic connection to enjoy Shea's novel. It's funny and heart-breaking and ultimately redemptive -- a very satisfying and fulfilling read. If you liked 'She's Come Undone' or 'Emma Who Saved My Life', you'll like 'Hoopi Shoopi Donna'.

Rating:
Summary: Can you say LOOOOONNNG Sentences?
Review: I've just begun this book, but I find the author's use of long sentences (sometimes a page long), difficult to read. It's easy to forget her point.

So far, the story is interesting, especially if you're Polish or live in Connecticut/Mass area. You will mostly likely find references to towns nearby or remember Polish words/phrases from your childhood. I may end up loving this book, but the writing style is difficult to read.

Rating:
Summary: Can you say LOOOOONNNG Sentences?
Review: Shea not only tells an amazing story, but she also has the ability to make the ordinary parts of daily life seem interesting. This story has everything -hate, disappointment, jealousy, pain, love, happiness, redemption and forgiveness.

HOOPI SHOOPI DONNA begins as the story of 14 year old Donna Milewski. She's a well loved only child who has always received a great deal of attention from her parents and Babci (grandmother). Donna's smart, and very talented at playing the accordion. In fact, her dream is to have an all-girl polka band. She's her father's pride and joy and her life is just about perfect. Then along comes Betty, and everything in Donna's life changes. Betty, is a sweet and adorable five year old child who is sent to live with her American relatives by her impoverished Polish family. Everyone falls in love with Betty, except Donna. She now has the responsibility of a little sister who came out of no where to take over the Milewski home. She likes Betty well enough and does try her best to treat her well, but in Donna's heart she feels that when everything settles down, she will again regain her status as favorite child. Then a tragic accident takes place and nothing in Donna's life prepares her for what happens next.

This is such a good book that I couldn't put it down until it was finished.

Rating:
Summary: A very compelling story about a girl and her accordion.
Review: This book was recommended to me by a friend
and I was a little skeptical when I read the back
cover of the book, since it mentioned "beloved
polka music." However, I was almost immediately
drawn in by the story.

Donna has been living the ideal family life until
her family adopts her father's niece, who comes
from Poland and immediately usurps Donna in her
father's attention. There is a serious mishap, and
the rest of the book deals with Donna's reactions to
the accident and how she deals with it. Donna's
self-destructive behavior in dealing with the aftermath
make you want to sit her down for a long talk, but, at
the same time, she's a very sympathetic character, and
you really want her to succeed in life. This is one
of the most realistic character portrayals I have
read in a long time, and I high recommend the book

Rating:
Summary: Heart-twisting
Review: Very touching story of a young girl and her doting family.

Donna's days are filled with dinners prepared by her loving Babci (Grandma), dresses and outfits made by her talented mother, and evenings of playing her accordion for her proud father. But when a poor little cousin from Poland, Betty, is adopted by the family, Donna begins to lose the attention and affection of her father.

A misunderstanding causes a dreadful split that Donna never recovers from. She becomes the selfish teenager while Betty becomes the selfless victim. Donna, once high achieving and dutiful becomes mediocre (working as a quality inspector in a tampon factory--love it!) and estranged as Betty thrives and flourishes from her father's love.

Reconciliation comes late--but not too late for Donna. Through music and the polka, the music of the accordian, she finds forgiveness.

While I found the ending confusing (why did Donna drop Joseph Angello even when she knew he hadn't lied to her?), it did cause me to think. It wasn't a pat ending.