Insightful and poignant in some ways, a bit underbaked in others. I was interested in the connections between her mother's abuse and the abusive expecInsightful and poignant in some ways, a bit underbaked in others. I was interested in the connections between her mother's abuse and the abusive expectations that much of the entertainment industry has foisted upon girls and young women, and wish that more had been said about the latter. CW, a lot of this book is about disordered eating (in fact I think too much is spent on the author's disordered cycles)....more
Given the religious themes and irreverent humor, this book was meant for me. But it sorely needed better thematic consistency from beginning to end. TGiven the religious themes and irreverent humor, this book was meant for me. But it sorely needed better thematic consistency from beginning to end. The stories read more like vignettes or comedy bits than an overarching point about religious life or family dynamics of Catholicism or whatever. I enjoyed the ride but not sure it led me outside of a generally pleasant and bizarre cul-de-sac. Also, and perhaps this is par for the course for memoirs, but some of the details struck me as either embellished for comedic effect or just plain false. There is no way her mother saw an ob-gyn who counted in his practice a Dr. WeeWee and Dr. Bosom....more
Having a mixed reaction to Jamison's 2014 essay collection, "The Empathy Exams," I quite enjoyed her memoir of alcoholism and recovery, which goes mucHaving a mixed reaction to Jamison's 2014 essay collection, "The Empathy Exams," I quite enjoyed her memoir of alcoholism and recovery, which goes much farther beyond a tell-all to an examination of how we tell stories of addiction and recovery and what we expect of recovering alcoholics in how they narrate their life. The personal storytelling was vivid and had the ring of self-honesty without feeling salacious or self-flagellating. I enjoyed learning about other famous recovery narratives, though the literary criticism portions of the book were admittedly less enjoyable to me than Jamison's personal stories. I'd recommend this for anyone who wants to examine their relationship with alcohol, whether or not there's a chemical/addictive component at play. ...more
A must-read for anyone thinking through the ethics of adoption, particularly transracial adoption. Chung's account includes critique, even while her lA must-read for anyone thinking through the ethics of adoption, particularly transracial adoption. Chung's account includes critique, even while her love and appreciation for her adoptive family shines through....more
I'm so glad this book exists, because there are so few stories, fiction and nonfiction, about women without a husband or children who are also not casI'm so glad this book exists, because there are so few stories, fiction and nonfiction, about women without a husband or children who are also not cast into all the awful stereotypes we harbor for unpartnered women. There's a lot here about family and friendship that was vulnerable and touching. I hope this book encourages more women to see their lives as full--not always happy, not without pain, but full, complete....more
I was pleasantly surprised to find a simple but beautiful narrative quality here; the allusions to 'To Kill a Mockingbird' are overt without overshadoI was pleasantly surprised to find a simple but beautiful narrative quality here; the allusions to 'To Kill a Mockingbird' are overt without overshadowing the uniqueness of Stevenson's story. There's also a clear Christian resonance here that I would hope even the most conservative readers would be compelled by. If you can enter into the pain of some of these stories you will finish the book more humane, more human, more able to stand with image bearers whom society marks condemned....more
6 stars. Surely reading this while living in NYC enhanced my experience, but Smith's writing is so vivid that she makes "gritty" New York of the 70s a6 stars. Surely reading this while living in NYC enhanced my experience, but Smith's writing is so vivid that she makes "gritty" New York of the 70s and early 80s seem magical even for outsiders. The writing is poetic and infused with sadness and love. ...more
A vulnerable and relatable account of Brownstein's childhood and formative years with the rock trio Sleater-Kinney; suffers in moments from over-writiA vulnerable and relatable account of Brownstein's childhood and formative years with the rock trio Sleater-Kinney; suffers in moments from over-writing, but all in all I enjoyed this immensely and read it over a weekend....more
There is a reason "The Liars' Club" is considered the gold standard of contemporary memoir. There is a sense that we are sitting in for a long tale, aThere is a reason "The Liars' Club" is considered the gold standard of contemporary memoir. There is a sense that we are sitting in for a long tale, and we don't know if every detail is being recounted exactly as it happened, but "objective" accuracy is not the point here. The point is how Karr remembers things. And she remembers a lot, and how could she not given the childhood she had? There were sections, especially toward the beginning, when her writing style was too grandiose for me, too exhibitionistic. But there were other moments when I sat stunned, at all that she had experienced, and how she could recall it in details that cut to the core of her consciousness, and ours. I won't soon forget this book....more
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