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cottagecorecabbage's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Cancer, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Abortion and Racism
angela_reads_books's review
4.0
An amazing and well written memoir. As hard of a book this was for me to read, I’m so happy to have read it.
sshepp21's review
4.0
Definitely had me reflecting in on myself. I felt mirrored even when I couldn’t relate to her experiences in a way that felt informative and wonderful.
crybabybea's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
A thoughtful, intimate look at the complexity of human relationships, especially of those closest to us. Ashley C. Ford's writing is pensive and poignant as she details how her childhood experiences shaped the way she views the people she loves, as well as how she views herself. I found the writing to be incredibly human and I found myself relating to much of her story despite its differences.
I especially found the writing similar to other memoirs such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Dr. Maya Angelou and I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, in the way that Ashley C. Ford is able to capture her own childhood voice and mix it with her reflection as an adult. She painted a full picture of the events that shaped her, as well as the people closest to her.
I appreciated especially the portrayal of her mother, who was imperfect in every way; abusive but loving, joyful but full of fear and stress, neglectful but caring, and overall just a woman trying her best with what she was given. As well, her father, incarcerated for 20+ years for a crime unknown to Ashley for the majority of her life (and unknown to the reader until the memoir reaches that point in Ashley's timeline) is a full figure of doting and adoration, while Ashley has to reconcile with the reality his crime and what it means to herself and her family. I found the exploration of familial relationships relatable and touching.
Definitely a standout memoir.
I especially found the writing similar to other memoirs such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Dr. Maya Angelou and I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, in the way that Ashley C. Ford is able to capture her own childhood voice and mix it with her reflection as an adult. She painted a full picture of the events that shaped her, as well as the people closest to her.
I appreciated especially the portrayal of her mother, who was imperfect in every way; abusive but loving, joyful but full of fear and stress, neglectful but caring, and overall just a woman trying her best with what she was given. As well, her father, incarcerated for 20+ years for a crime unknown to Ashley for the majority of her life (and unknown to the reader until the memoir reaches that point in Ashley's timeline) is a full figure of doting and adoration, while Ashley has to reconcile with the reality his crime and what it means to herself and her family. I found the exploration of familial relationships relatable and touching.
Definitely a standout memoir.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Rape, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Violence
amybaby2024's review against another edition
CD too slow. Maybe try audio book at faster speed
wandering_canuck's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Sheer brilliance! Embarrassingly, I had never heard of Ashley C. Ford until I picked up this raved-about memoir. Ford's powerful and poignant tale immediately transports the reader into her childhood through her vivid story telling.
On its face, it is the experience of a girl whose father is incarcerated for a violent crime throughout her childhood and the mother who raised her as a single parent. Oh, but it is so much more.
This searingly honest book captures the complexity of families and our relationships within them. This memoir recounts an imperfect life in an imperfect family with both kindness and honesty. Ashley speaks of her parents and grandmother with love, striking the delicate balance of treating them not as heroes nor as villains.
Ford's writing is akin to that of Roxane Gay, managing to be both poetic and accessible. Simply fabulous. I cannot give it enough stars.
Listen to the audiobook if you can; hearing the memoir in the author's voice makes it that much more convincing.
On its face, it is the experience of a girl whose father is incarcerated for a violent crime throughout her childhood and the mother who raised her as a single parent. Oh, but it is so much more.
This searingly honest book captures the complexity of families and our relationships within them. This memoir recounts an imperfect life in an imperfect family with both kindness and honesty. Ashley speaks of her parents and grandmother with love, striking the delicate balance of treating them not as heroes nor as villains.
Ford's writing is akin to that of Roxane Gay, managing to be both poetic and accessible. Simply fabulous. I cannot give it enough stars.
Listen to the audiobook if you can; hearing the memoir in the author's voice makes it that much more convincing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Child abuse
coruscations's review
4.0
Strong writing, but a bit more organization and clarity would have been beneficial.