This was one of those books that I couldn't put down. I had no idea who she is and thought her story was very compelling and well written! Her experieThis was one of those books that I couldn't put down. I had no idea who she is and thought her story was very compelling and well written! Her experience with her therapists was quite interesting, to say the least. I must say though, as much as she claimed to hate men, I didn't understand why she continued to date....more
I like the author's writing style and did not like the state of Florida.I like the author's writing style and did not like the state of Florida....more
Story starts out with the voice of young Charlotte who lives in a stately apartment building with her father, on a "place" or square in Brussels, BelgStory starts out with the voice of young Charlotte who lives in a stately apartment building with her father, on a "place" or square in Brussels, Belgium, just before WWII. I am immediately drawn in by her life and relationship with the Raphael kids, teenagers like herself, who live in the apt. opposite them. The story continues with the points of view of the other tenants of the building, and I was charmed....more
When I say I love memoirs, THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. This author is a very good writer, has led a unique life, and I could not put this down. InWhen I say I love memoirs, THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. This author is a very good writer, has led a unique life, and I could not put this down. Interestingly, I don't enjoy her fiction as much as I did her life story in her own words. Now knowing her childhood and early adult experiences, I've been surprised at her novels and didn't expect them to be so . . . mainstream - I guess?...more
Fictional account of the lives of 3 women in unhappy marriages in a time and place that doesn't allow divorce. I was drawn to book by the beautiful coFictional account of the lives of 3 women in unhappy marriages in a time and place that doesn't allow divorce. I was drawn to book by the beautiful cover and then the subject matter, and found this to be well written and entertaining....more
I'm giving this 2 stars because I was engaged enough to read it to the end. Normally I don't finish a book that I don't connect with, I just move on tI'm giving this 2 stars because I was engaged enough to read it to the end. Normally I don't finish a book that I don't connect with, I just move on to the next book in my stack. And it's not that I connected with her story, I just had to see how this telling of Brianna's life turned out. I've read fiction books that felt like memoirs, and this is a "memoir" that I'm pretty sure is also fictional in parts. Sadly and quite obviously, Brianna is a product of her abusive upbringing. How could you not question a little bit, her story, her judgement, her sense of reality? Her social media was discovered and brought to the public's attention in a big way, and that part is verifiable. But some details seemed very far-fetched. I hope Brianna is getting the support and stability she needs....more
For me, this was such a worthwhile read. Other reviewers complain about author's privilege and so-called name-dropping, but those people were his commFor me, this was such a worthwhile read. Other reviewers complain about author's privilege and so-called name-dropping, but those people were his community. And what you realize is that money and success doesn't insulate you from harm. The Dunne family experienced deep sadness. This was also a history lesson, slice of life from a certain time period. Loved it....more
As memoirs of crappy childhoods go, this book stood out for me! I could not put this down.
Nina's mom is scar-covered from the neck down, and it is yeaAs memoirs of crappy childhoods go, this book stood out for me! I could not put this down.
Nina's mom is scar-covered from the neck down, and it is years before Nina hears the story of why. Even after she does, so many mysteries remain. No one in the family talks about it - many things are off conversation. Nina and her little brother also don't understand why they move all the time. Nina is aware of her mom's deep spiritual connection, but to what diety? She seems to practice many different beliefs, from new age to catholicism, and so Nina too believes, yet doesn't believe, what her mom does. Most of her life is lived in poverty with her mom and brother, yet summers are spent with her very wealthy father and his family. They seem to love her, but don't want to know about her life the rest of the time. DOES ALL THIS SOUND CONFUSING FOR A CHILD? You can bet it is.
Somehow, with this background, (and she had messed up teenage years!) Nina manages to grow up to be an accomplished writer, and I loved her book! Her writing was beautiful. She was great at foreshadowing and creating suspense. I like how she included her interior thoughts about how she grappled with making sense of her world. She also backed up her experience with research references she later found to shed light on various topics which I found interesting. ...more
A review on back of book describes it as startling, and I whole heartedly agree. Not only the horrible abduction and murder of the author's Mother, buA review on back of book describes it as startling, and I whole heartedly agree. Not only the horrible abduction and murder of the author's Mother, but the adolescent life of the author and her experiences with men. She knew the things they did to her sexually made her feel horrible. Talking to a friend after the fact, she still hesitated to call it rape. "That's not rape. That's called not knowing that I mattered." As an adult writer with a PhD she focuses much of her story on patriarchy, and she has a complicated relationship with her father. These were the topics I found most compelling, and I skimmed much of the trial portion. ...more
So what stood out for me with book was the author's writing style. I loved it. Her spare sentences got straight to the point. I wasn't bored with tonsSo what stood out for me with book was the author's writing style. I loved it. Her spare sentences got straight to the point. I wasn't bored with tons of pointless descriptions and needless repetitions that altogether too many writers and readers think is good writing. I don't know if this was what kept me wanting to continue reading - probably so, because it was also deeply disturbing in a way I hated. I loved the writer, wished she had picked an issue that wasn't so troubling for me. But yeah, the first few chapters were so positive and happy, and then you are blown away by the sharp turn the story takes. ...more
Heart breaking memoir of a mom and wife who survives a tidal wave but loses her family - 2 sons, husband, parents. As you can imagine, this is just guHeart breaking memoir of a mom and wife who survives a tidal wave but loses her family - 2 sons, husband, parents. As you can imagine, this is just gut wrenching. Thankfully, it ends hopefully for this talented author, who manages to reclaim a life without the living presence of these loved ones. This book is an account of her years of grieving as she chronicles many memories of her day to day life with her young children. This surprisingly made me grieve as well -- for the years my children were small, and I grieve also the fact that I can't remember more of those details than I do. ...more
I had not heard of this case in the media and I avoided reading the book cover summary so I would get the story with no preconceived ideas. My reactioI had not heard of this case in the media and I avoided reading the book cover summary so I would get the story with no preconceived ideas. My reaction was complete and utter anger. This abused woman was not believed by the criminal justice system, despite the wealth of evidence and witness testimony she was able to provide. I wish all men could read this because women are baffled: Why are abused women not believed, and why are they expected to to put up with a certain amount of abuse as a wife, and that's okay? Why is our justice system still, in this day and age, all about protecting themselves to the detriment of innocent women and children? Why is it okay that one of our presidential candidates is the kind of person who has said that as a man you can just grab women in certain places, and they can't do anything about it? The author wrote: "I learned that when a man kills a woman, it's barely newsworthy. When a woman kills a man, it's a scandal." At the end of the book, it was found the county level court's decision about this case was wrong and antiquated. It proves once again that it's all about the power grab. ...more
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