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A Day Late and a Dollar Short Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of A Day Late and a Dollar Short


Viola is in her fifties and her life is ending soon. Her husband Cecil - her enemy - has run off with Brenda, a young woman with three kids. Her four children: Paris, Charlotte, Lewis and Janelle have various problems in their life, but hardly talk to one another about it. That is until the problems get too much.
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Cecil still loves Viola but cannot cope with her bitter ways. Paris finds it hard to admit she feels alone and needs a partner. Charlotte won't believe her son is gay and is the most pig-headed one of the whole family. Lewis works his way in and out of prison. Nobody believes him when he finally tells the truth. Janelle doesn't want to admit that her new husband is abusing her daughter from her first marriage.
The review of this Book prepared by Sara Maguire




In this novel, Terry McMillan offers a "tell all" account into the Price Family: Viola, her estranged husband, Cecil, their daughters Paris, Charlotte and Janelle, son Lewis, and grandchildren Tiffancy, Monique, Trevor, Shanice and Jamil. The children in particular test their Mother's coping mechanisms as she tries her best to find a way to guide them through sexual abuse, alcohol abuse, sibling rivalry, criminal convictions, marriage break ups and career confusion, only to find they still end up "A day late and a dollar short" most of the time.
The review of this Book prepared by Alison



Chapter Analysis of A Day Late and a Dollar Short

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Plot & Themes

Tone of book?    -   thoughtful Time/era of story    -   1960's-1970's Family, struggle with    -   Yes Struggle with:    -   Mother (or standin) Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character

Gender    -   Female Profession/status:    -   homemaker Age:    -   40's-50's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   Black (American)

Setting

How much descriptions of surroundings?    -   1 () United States    -   Yes The US:    -   Deep South City?    -   Yes Small town?    -   Yes Small town people:    -   very gullible, like Gomer Pyle Misc setting    -   fancy mansion

Writing Style

Sex in book?    -   Yes What kind of sex:    -   actual description of hetero sex Lot of foul language?    -   Yes Amount of dialog    -   mostly dialog    -   significantly more dialog than descript

Books with storylines, themes & endings like A Day Late and a Dollar Short

Terry McMillan Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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