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I mistakenly read these two books backward.but this book is shockingly candid and sad. I pass all my read books on to my younger daughter and then we discuss them. My daughter also dearly loved this book. I feel it is so great, for one, because no matter how badly we all grew up and how sad our own childhoods were, we can see someone who had it worse and it helps us to be grateful for what we did have when we were young; also how much the human spirit can overcome.
Not only did the siblings contend with their father's alcholism, but hunger, poverty, and the ridicule of neighbors and classmates. From their earliest moments, Barbara Robinette Moss and her seven siblings knew one thing -- their lives depended on their father's moods. In addition, Moss had a special burden -- an oddly shaped face and mouth, which caused her tremendous emotional trauma and physical difficulties. If he had had a good night drinking, he might leave them alone when he came home from the bar. If he hadn't, there was no escaping his anger, his violent beatings, and whatever else might accompany it all.In this honest memoir, Moss details her childhood struggles to merely survive, both physically and emotionally. Although Moss eventually sought cosmetic surgery and physical escape at age 18 with a hasty marriage, she soon learned that it's much harder to escape one's roots emotionally. Thus, even after she tries valiantly to make an independent life for herself and the son she's raising alone, Moss learns that trying to find yourself and be happy is a lifelong quest.
I am not one to review books, becuase I dont think that anyone should judge someone elses work. With that being said I felt a great need to write this review. I really joined this book it was very interesting, but it jumped around way to much and could have been alot better had it not jumped from one thought to another so qucik.Other then that I really liked it and I think it was a very good read.
You also might enjoy Too Close to the Falls, Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found, Peace Like a River or The Glass Castle. After this book, I read Swallow the Ocean (also a memoir about a difficult childhood) and loved it, giving it 5 stars.
I found no redeeming value in the father, however, and got tired of reading about how awful he was. Horrible life, no doubt.
Also, I found the timeline hard to follow. I was more than frustrated with the mother for staying with him, even though I know many do in these situations.
The whole face disfigurement wasn't a main story line as much as one would think from the title. Try it.
All were excellent.
this was entertaining, unbelieveable, and a real page turner.exactly what you want in a good book.
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