Scan barcode
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
“Wasn’t it strange that a poem, written in my vocabulary and as a result of my own thoughts or observations, could, when it was finished, manage to show me something I hadn’t already known? Sometimes, when I tried very hard to listen to what the poem I was writing was trying to tell me, I felt the way I imagined godly people felt when they were trying to discern God’s will. “Write this,” the poem would sometimes consent to say, and I’d revel in a joy to rival the saints’ that Poetry—this mysterious presence I talked about and professed belief in—might truly be real.”
Apparently, I have high expectations about how writers, or maybe just poets, live. Even though Smith uses the word ordinary in her title, I was expecting something different than this memoir. Fortunately, Smith had what might be referred to as a common life. She grew up the last child in a loving family. Her mother was able to devote time to her and her siblings and her father did the same. The Smith family believed in books and education; they were supportive and a positive influence in each other’s’ lives.
I think I expected that Smith’s story would be more about her writing – how she became a poet. Smith however, had a different idea. She told her story by beginning with her mother’s death. Then she went back to show what her family was like and especially what her mother was like. Once I changed my expectation, the story fell together. I was better able to understand what Smith was sharing with her readers.
Apparently, I have high expectations about how writers, or maybe just poets, live. Even though Smith uses the word ordinary in her title, I was expecting something different than this memoir. Fortunately, Smith had what might be referred to as a common life. She grew up the last child in a loving family. Her mother was able to devote time to her and her siblings and her father did the same. The Smith family believed in books and education; they were supportive and a positive influence in each other’s’ lives.
I think I expected that Smith’s story would be more about her writing – how she became a poet. Smith however, had a different idea. She told her story by beginning with her mother’s death. Then she went back to show what her family was like and especially what her mother was like. Once I changed my expectation, the story fell together. I was better able to understand what Smith was sharing with her readers.
jmarkwindy's review against another edition
3.0
I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I haven't gone out of my way to read many memoirs for the sole reason that extended first-person narratives often seem self-aggrandizing to me. However, having been a long-time admirer of Tracy K. Smith's poetry, I was eager to learn more about the making of a poet in her own words. Although few chapters in Ordinary Life address poetry directly, I was consistently intrigued by Smith's ability to question the roles we play in our immediate families without explicitly cautioning readers against subscribing to the ideals with which we were raised. In my opinion the second half of this book offers complex, mature insights which handily eclipse those introduced in the first half, and for that reason I wish Smith had started around the 200 page mark. That said, readers having finished this book will be left soothed and enlightened by a wholesome love letter to mothers and daughters who must learn how to make a self both together and apart.
lopster9's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful memoir. Reminded me of The Glass Castle. At times very difficult to read (due to the subject) but I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys memoir, or reading themes such as coming of age, family relationships, etc. Thank you to a student of mine who let me borrow this!
socorrobaptista's review against another edition
5.0
Uma autobiografia brilhante, empolgante, que me prendeu do começo ao fim.
jo_crescent's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Enjoyed this non dramatic memoir a lot. Easy to read, thoughtful, relatable. As the daughter of a deeply Christian woman, I found much of the family dynamics familiar if much less fraught than my own struggle has been! Good on you, Tracy, for your efforts
aflaine's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.5
redroofcolleen's review against another edition
4.0
It is not so much the unspooling of important events in her life that are essential to the beauty of her story as the questioning of their deeper meaning - of what it is to be a daughter, made from the same flesh, yet so independent.
And all the small details of shared childhood memories - PBS, Hello Kitty, and the rest. A gift to read.
And all the small details of shared childhood memories - PBS, Hello Kitty, and the rest. A gift to read.
spacebee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
lizziaha's review against another edition
4.75
These are the kinds of beautiful words that I want to eat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Racism
Moderate: Child death and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Fatphobia