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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Since reading and reviewing this on Goodreads, I've been teaching writing classes and when teaching good dialogue and scene, I return to this book again and again. Kelly Corrigan is masterful at making her characters sound real, flawed, fallible and, despite the circumstances, funny.
I almost didn't read this book because even though my mom's battle with breast cancer was eight years ago, I am still very emotional about the experience. I was afraid that the reading this book would bring up too many horrifying memories, which it did, but also it reminded me of all the humor my mom and I found in the situation and how we got through it together. My mom's cancer changed our relationship. Before it we were mother/daughter. After it, we are mother/daughter, but also friends. That said, I think Corrigan hits the tone just right with the interactions she describes with her girls (about the same age as my daughter) and with her husband. She is just spot-on with her descriptions of the humor and the frustration and the horror of it all. I appreciated her honesty and her humor. I have no idea if someone without young children or cancer in their life would fall in love with this book, but I certainly did. You'll laugh, you'll probably cry and you'll be better off for the experience. An excellent read.
This engaging memoir had many poignant moments, but an hour or so after finishing, I found myself wondering if it verged on hagiography.
Both the author and her father get cancer, and learn Important Lessons.
This was a funny and sad book, but it was too gushy at times. I'm sure her father is a good guy, but she was way too enthusiastic about him. There was almost nothing negative about him at all, and that didn't seem entirely truthful.
I did enjoy it. Especially compared to other books about illness, it was pretty good.
This was a funny and sad book, but it was too gushy at times. I'm sure her father is a good guy, but she was way too enthusiastic about him. There was almost nothing negative about him at all, and that didn't seem entirely truthful.
I did enjoy it. Especially compared to other books about illness, it was pretty good.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
A fun and well-written memoir-- Kelly Corrigan is authentic and her writing captures family life well. The book explores her relationship with her dad as she matures, as well as how she deals with breast cancer. Her witty approach makes the book very enjoyable.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This book made me really cranky. I am realizing now that I am not a fan of memoirs. I actually liked the first 20% of it, until I realized that it was a memoir. And then I thought: does this woman have NO self-awareness?? My goodness, is she ridiculous.
Anyway, I was hoping for more on the "middle place" which I think is a cool concept. But this book isn't really about that.
Anyway, I was hoping for more on the "middle place" which I think is a cool concept. But this book isn't really about that.
It's been a long time since I enjoyed a book quite so much - and it was written by a stay-at-home mom. The adjectives are piling up: Funny, inspiring, real, excellent, and yes, a tear-jerker. The author's comments on her relationships with her parents, husband, and children had me saying to myself, "That's it exactly!" Suddenly, I don't feel so alone in my growth process - or unacceptably childlike. It is good and part of life. Excellent, excellent book.