Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Grief
Minor: Death
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death
Minor: Mental illness
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Grief
Ford chronicles her youth through her young adulthood through her relationship with her mother and her father, who was incarcerated during her childhood. Though the story is framed through Ford's relationship with her father and how she came to terms with the crime for which he was imprisoned, it is almost more about her relationship with her own mother and how it has changed through her life. We follow her through school, young loves, going away to school, and growing up through the lens of herself as somebody's daughter.
I have been a fan of Ashley C. Ford's for quite some time. I can't remember the first time I encountered her work but I've listened to her podcasts and interviews with her before so I was excited to delve into her memoir. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about her life and I think she does a great job of pairing honesty with evocative prose to create an emotionally moving memoir. She reads the audiobook, which I highly recommend, because she has a great voice. An audiobook memoir is that much more personal when the author reads it themself. I also recommend the audiobook because it has an hour long conversation between Ford and Clint Smith about their books, which acts as an epilogue of sorts as we learn more about the writing of the memoir.
I cannot wait to read what Ford writes next. 'Somebody's Daughter' solidified that she is an author whose work I will be following for years to come.
Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism, Medical content, Pregnancy
Minor: Incest, Alcohol
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal death, Miscarriage, Grief, Religious bigotry
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Abortion
To me there almost seems to be a double meaning of being "somebody's daughter". There is the sense that we are shaped by the relationships or lack of relationships we have with our parents and how they are shaped by their relationships with their parents and so on and so on. But there is also the meaning of being "somebody's daughter" when talking about SA; that people need to be "somebody's daughter" or mother or sister to be humanized. Ford is really able to capture both of these meanings in a way that allows everyone to see themselves in it.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship
The content warnings for this book are about a mile long, but nothing is gratuitous or sensationalized—it is simply honest, and even kind and sympathetic at points. Furthermore, Ford is able to clearly articulate the motivations, perceptions, and disappointments that everyone in the memoir feels, especially her and the people who raised her. But she still keeps her perspective and truth front and center, and thus the love, heartbreak, and truth in her story shine through.
Ashley C. Ford is an excellent narrator as well as writer. I highly recommend the audio version of this book.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Stalking
Minor: Medical content, Fire/Fire injury
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Medical content, Abandonment