This is a memoir, a perspective, and a ...
926666
This is a memoir, a perspective, and a unique view of history.  It is a story that needs to be told, and it highlights many aspects of our society and things that need to be addressed.  Boone does well in painting this picture in a concise fashion.  She could add more detail in some areas, but the essence of the story is clear.  When you read this story, you live it with her, and that was clearly the intent.
4593965
Karen Hope's powerful memoir reveals the strength of the human spiritit is one of childhood endurance and adult determination. Her storytelling is not self-indulgent; I feel her perspective is objective and generous to those who negatively influenced her life through emotional, physical, and spiritual abuse. "Lost little girls" such as she could be in my neighborhood or yours, and the very thought disturbs me. It is a story that has raised my consciousness of those who neglect their responsibilities and abuse their powerwhether sadly, it be a parent, or one who alarmingly misuses their authority in their role in a church or church school. I'm confident that Karen's courageous decision to tell her story will offer direction and strike a chord of hope in readers who have had a similar life experience, which is likely more people than we can imagine. As a Christian, I encourage all Christians to read this book to raise awareness.  .
3647433
Loved this memoir.  It was from a perspective that I had never encountered before, and was written to reflect the many emotions she felt growing up - frustration, fear, but most of all, love and the desire to protect her parents. I'm very glad I read it.
2813489
As an Irish girl sharing some experience similar to those of the author, I enjoyed this haunting read and intriguing memoir. Too, I have passed the tome on to memoir-writing friends. I recommend this introspective look into from whence we come.
424588
Jen Knox's memoir is told in three parts: The Runaway; The Dancer; and The Education.  This memoir mostly covers Jen's life from 1994 when she was 15 and ran away from home. This is an interesting story of a life in progress, of a young woman's search to escape and then later to find herself.

This is Jen's story, and it is also the story of four generations of a family with very human strengths and weaknesses.  Struggling for identity, a sense of self and of purpose is a series of battles that many of us can relate to.  What makes this story different, and well worth reading, is not so much the descriptions of the battles themselves but the learning Jen acquired as a consequence. Jen became a stronger person by facing life and taking responsibility for her actions.

Life is about choices: making them and learning from them.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith
4420485
Reviewing a Memoir is a Little Difficult.  A memoir isn't a work of fiction with neatly concluded plots or well rounded characters to love or hate.  Memoirs are personal.  Memoirs are real.  Memoirs are often written in a somewhat inconsistent manner--jumping from memories to memories or grouping events without regard to forming a "flow" for the reader.  The author jumps around a bit through the early stages of the book as he takes readers through the early years of his relationship with his wife and their family's ups and downs with "day to day" living.  He illustrates his average, usual family with school and work activities, family vacations, holidays, home repairs, etc.  Then, he settles into a more chronological storytelling style as his wife's illness began to affect those "average family activities".  Dunn's writing style is a little dry--though well formed--without a lot of emotion until moments of frustration and anger--and some peace--surfaced later in the book.

The author needed to tell Sandy's story.  So often, when someone suffers from a mental illness--outsiders cast quick blame toward the family for missing the signs or for "not doing anything" to help the sufferer.  Sandy's story didn't occur in some rural, isolated area.  It didn't occur decades ago.  It happened recently--and in an area with modern health facilities and mental health programs.  The author was put into a helpless position by a horribly, flawed system as he sought help for his family.  And he is not alone.  This memoir shines a light onto Sandy's story with the hope that increased awareness and realistic dialogue may prevent another family from suffering the pain of Sandy and her family.

Would I recommend Sandy's Gift?  Sandy's story should not have unfolded as it did.  This memoir tells a frustratingly sad story.  If you enjoy memoirs--and have an interest in the mental health "system"--and in mental health awareness--I would recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher or author.  All opinions are my own.
1214562
Realizing River City provides stunning insight into the stops and starts the author makes as she finds her way through the world. Grunow's imagery transports readers to each of the places she's been, both physically and emotionally, during her moves across the country and back and in between the various relationships she navigates along the way.

Her prose doesn't flinch away from her decisions, even the ones the don't paint her choices in the most savory light, which gives this memoir an authenticity some lack. While not self-flagellating, Grunow allows the reader to see the decisions she's made at different junctures of her life, some showing strength and some perhaps not, but all of them contributing to the person she is and the perspective she has today.

She writes about relationships, not simply the acts that take place within them, but the ways in which she and the people she lovesand the people she doesn'timpact one another. Grunow frames her moments of strength and of weakness in the same level way, stepping away from her ego to highlight that both positive and negative times in our lives shape the people we will become. Her decisions lead to consequences she doesn't always expect, but she explores them with the grace offered by time and perspective.

I purchased my copy after hearing the author read at a local event, where I saw clearly her emotional investment in her writing. The melodic rhythm of her work packs a powerful punch in person, but I appreciate the opportunity to keep the book on my shelf to re-read and peruse at will.

Memoir enthusiasts will love Realizing River City, but even if you're not normally a fan of the genre, you'll appreciate the storytelling quality Grunow employs. Her journey unfolds in moments of heartache and self-realization, and readers will be happy they took the time to follow Grunow along as she goes on that journey.
4817599
This is a painfully honest memoir.  At times, it's despairing, but there's also hope in it.  Sessums' writing keeps us reading through good times and bad times.  There's something to learn in the reading of this.  I felt called to cheer him on in his spiritual search.  Hopefully, the man will be with us long enough to write future memoirs.
2806515
Kathy Dobronyi's book, "Under the Wings of the Good Luck Phoenix" possesses all the qualities of an effective memoir told through the perspective of an insightful, curious, reflective 12-year-old trying to understand a foreign environment, and the events unfolding around her, while simultaneously educating the reader on the history, culture, escalating tensions and events in Viet Nam and surrounding The Vietnam War, or the Second Indochina War - known in Viet Nam as the Resistance War Against America and the American War- which pitted the communist regime of North Vietnam and its southern allies, the Viet Cong, against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States.

I grew up hearing about Vietnam, but this is not a topic covered in the classroom, and I did not understand all the events that led to this conflict, much less the impact it had on the people and culture of Viet Nam until I read Kathys book.  Kathys telling of the history of Viet Nam and the events she witnessed, partook in and heard about using the language and simple prose of a young girl who describes the busy chaotic streets of Saigon, the smells of the Ben Thanh Market, the custom of haggling prices, her relationship with Nam, which was instrumental in teaching Kathy to question and embrace cultural differences, the influences of French colonialism, the military coup dtats, the Buddhist processions in protest to the South Vietnamese Diems pro-catholic policies and the self-immolation of Th&iacute;ch Quang Duc, the white mice of Viet Nam, her near death experience while sitting in a theater that was bombed and the behaviors of her family interacting with the Vietnamese and negotiating their way of life within a foreign territory is not only educational but engaging.  We learn about the history, desires and hopes of a disparate culture that will leave the reader reflecting on the consequences of power relations and how individuals, a group of people, a nation perceive those that are fundamentally different as The Other.

When a united we looks at another group as different, a they, we have the tendency to see them as less than human or at the very least de-legitimize them by focusing on perceived weaknesses, which is designed to make the we look superior. When an individual or group perceives themselves as superior, this creates a hierarchy, power and perceived authority to either intervene and impose thoughts, practices, a way of life on the other, or use this to justify military involvement and/or discriminatory acts, which can often escalate to violence.  Though the concept of the other is not explicitly mentioned, as the memoir is told through the eyes of a 12-year-old girl, it is certainly there.  It is seen in the influence of French colonialism, the power relations between the communist and non-communist forces and in the American attitude and behaviors of people portrayed in the story.

As I read this memoir, I could not help but think about other events in history that mirror the Vietnam conflict- the Holocaust, internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII, colonialism-in all its forms, genocides (Armenian, Bosnia, Darfur, Cambodia, Congo)  and how it is still happening all around us  the escalation of racial tensions and targeting of groups of people.

This book is accessible to young adults on up and an excellent read for not only those who are interested in the Vietnam conflict, but for all individuals trying to make sense of power relations, how perceptions can dictate action and how important it is to have an open mind, be aware when relating to others.  It will make you think.  What is right, wrong, moral?  How can we de-escalate violence, build bridges and work globally together for a better tomorrow? How can we exercise tolerance surrounding cultural difference  religion, race, ethnicity, way of life...?  Existential questions that will forever haunt those that ponder them but ones worthy to explore.
4479353
While reading Surviving 'Uncle Hitler': Journey of a German Girl, I had to keep reminding myself of whom I was reading. The story put me in mind of All Quiet on the Western Front. When Dorothea speaks of "the enemy," she's talking about the Allied countries fighting Germany. That's because she was a German girl during WWII. It gives one a different perspective when one isn't German. As a German citizen, she and others weren't exempt from the horrors of war.

Her story begins with a short history of Hitler rise to power and a description of her life and various family members. The book is written almost chronologically, but she sometimes backtracks to memories of better times when there was fresh food to eat, a warm place to sleep, and family outings.

Probably the most nightmarish segment of her memoir is the descriptions of, as refugees, their escape from Germany. Bombs were destroying the cities, and they retreated from the oncoming Russian army. Most of Europe was somehow affected by air strikes, and she describes the hardships of traveling hundreds of miles through cold mountainous regions on their way to Czechoslovakia.

Dorothea blends her story of fear and pain with mentions of her faith that God got them through the hard times. She believes that many of the hardships and disappointmentslike her father's disqualification from being able to emigrate to Americawere actually blessings in disguise. Separation from her father as he served in the German Army was one of the difficulties; they never knew where he was or if he was alive. But they kept moving. I find it appropriate the word "Surviving" is in the title after reading descriptions of the various refugee camps they stayed in.

The author is indeed blessed to have a small cache of photos which she shares, probably because her mother was so diligent in holding fast to the "big black handbag" which held their official papers. The photos lend a lot to the story and help us to see the family as "not" the enemy. They were unknowing victims of Hitler's tyranny as much as anyone.

Dorothea's writing isn't eloquent or lyrical, although some passages and specific sentences made me stop and take notice. For example:

"In retrospect, I am astounded at how tough I was, how tough all the children were to survive those terrible times. Of course, if we children hadn't been so resilient, generations would have been wiped out, and I wouldn't be here telling my story."

Her empathy for other children and her ability to see both evil and goodness give her a leg up in telling a story unique to its genre. Again, it's in the vein of All Quiet on the Western Front, but a true story by someone who was there saying, "war is wrong, devastating, and leaves scars that can last a lifetime."

In the end, Dorothea Wollin Null is a witness to her faith in God and leaves us with hope for eternity.
1334728
I thought this was a well-written book.  I liked the perspectives of each person.  This is a story that people can relate to.  It is relevant to society as a whole.  It portrays the emotion, thought, self-analysis many people go through in this situation and others like it.
2251719
The author has crafted a fine autobiographical memoir of Americans growing up in the rock n' roll era and the evolution into the psychedelic 60's. There are vivid descriptions of hippie life and the motivations of one individual mirroring the reactions of an entire generation of youth.  In reading I was reminded of Kerouac's "On the Road", a bit of Hunter S. Thompson, Ginsberg's "Howl", and the life of Ken Kesey.  And the accounts of Mr. Brink's forays in the Alaskan wilderness go far beyond "Field and Stream". This memoir reveals a personal journey as a son of conservative Mid-Western values changing to a life full of unknowns and as the title states "Adventure".  If you want a personal chronicle of the life choices made by a man born in WWII America I  highly recommend this book. This review submitted by Mike Stentoumis.
2316891
As only Cheryl could do, an honest portrayal of a women's midlife in question. She doesn't hold anything back, including tasteful discourse about sex as a middle-aged woman, and dealing with aging, ill parents, and questioning a career. As successful as she is, Cheryl's also as vulnerable as us. She gets it. She gets herself through continuous questioning and curiosity. I hope to attend one of her retreats some day. She's real, she's imperfect, and she's honest about all of it. This book reveals interesting snippets of her life and subsequent thoughts, but more importantly, she shares her journey: not to tell any of us how to live, but how to explore and then live as we need to. The memoir in journal form is also a new literary twist. It's a lovely, reflective, thought-provoking read.
4195508
The title might lead some readers to expect a midwife's answer to James Herriot's "All Creatures Great and Small," but this is a book about a personal journey rather than a book about midwifery. The focus is on the author's life, and many chapters do not have birthing stories. I was expecting a personal memoir, and I wasn't disappointed.

Harman's vivid and straightforward prose drew me into her story and wouldn't let me go. Her everyday experiences are portrayed by details, such as the members of the commune singing the Johnny Appleseed song before meals. Her directness allows her to write about her inner life without coming across as overly self-absorbed. Instead, she gives us an honest picture of her transformation from an idealistic young woman to a mature adult.

The young women is a hardworking, caring but self-taught birthing assistant who seeks guidance from Mother Nature. The older woman is a highly skilled professional who catches herself spraying Roundup on weeds at her house. It's a rare writer who can express the tension between such incompatible aspects of her existence. This tension is the essence of this book, and it fuels Harman's ambivalence about the term "wisewoman," the traditional term for a midwife.

I wish the book had filled us in on the 30 years between the "then" and the "now," and I'm glad another reviewer mentioned that this period is covered in her other book, "The Blue Cotton Gown."
2333088
First-hand account with a unique point of view, by a thoughtful writer.
2381156
"Poser" is, first and foremost, a "life," as its subtitle makes clear. Claire Dederer took up yoga after the birth of her first child, and the 23 poses (each has a chapter) she learns over the course of a decade are a kind of kinesthetic accompaniment to a series of questions: what does it mean to be an individual, a mother, and a wife at the beginning of the 21st century? There are actually 27 chapters, since five chapters are devoted to Child's Pose and to Dederer's attempt to understand how her childhood spent in the shadow of her parents' difficult and unusual marriage affected her own life.

The title of this memoir also presents a conundrum, as a poser is also a person who pretends to be someone else. Thus, as Dederer becomes more and more adept in the practice of her yoga poses, she simultaneously tries to stop being a poser, being the person others--her friends, her parents, the "attachment parenting" subculture of North Seattle--want her to be. This might be a prescription for yet another weepy self-absorbed memoir, but it isn't at all. Self-aware, highly observant, and funny, Dederer skewers pretense wherever she finds it, whether it's her own image in the mirror or her fellow strivers in all sorts of yoga studios.

Her look at the yoga culture, from restorative to vinyasa, is wonderful. Not only is it diverse, with a look at everything from a generic class in a strip mall to a class with a yoga celebrity, it is full of wonderful vignettes, contradictory advice from teachers, and Dederer's own struggles to attain perfection, a struggle which comes to an interesting conclusion. It becomes for her "my world away from the world" until it so consumes her that becomes "another spoke on the wheel of obligation." If you practice yoga yourself, you'll enjoy this loving but often irreverent look at the different aspects of American yoga.

In the end, however, it is not the poses that matter, it's the understanding that accompanies them. One of the most interesting strands in this book is a feminist one. As part of the generation that came of age after Betty Friedan's "The Feminine Mystique" blew up the idea that marriage and children are the apex of a woman's life, Dederer's mother left her husband for a younger man. Her daughter, who brings up her own children in an enclave where well-educated women obsess over organic baby food, stroller versus snugli, and the perfect nursery school, tries to reconcile this paradigm of motherhood with her own mother's refusal to conform to the nineteen-fifties ideal of motherhood. Her realizations bring her to the last pose in this elegant, well-written, and heartfelt memoir. It is Downward Dog, which is, in fact, a rest pose.

M. Feldman
1716110
The wonderful thing about this memoir, aside from the writing itself (many well-crafted turns of phrase), the humor, and the honesty mentioned by other reviewers, is the way that it makes everyday things worth paying attention to, worth reading about. It is not the kind of memoir that sweeps you away from your own existence into a world all the author's own, providing a window into some separate reality that you can either wish were your own or be thankful that it is not. It is not propelled by drama so much as by inquiry. This inquiry, along with McLarin's unflinching honesty and eye for detail opens a space for readers to appreciate their own singularly beautiful, ordinary existence in a new way. Personally, that is what I want from a work of art. If you are this way too, you will probably love Divorce Dog.