Scan barcode
avkesner's review
3.0
3.5 stars. I have loved learning about and reading more from Native American authors. Danielle Geller returns to Florida to retrieve a suitcase full of pictures after her mother dies of alcohol withdrawal. Interspersed with photos and images from her mother's suitcase, this is really the story of Danielle-- the struggles of her childhood, her alcoholic mother, father, and sister, and her connection to the Navajo reservation. This is a difficult story, of a young woman, who, despite her self-reflection during her mother's memorial service on the reservation, is actually a caretaker of her whole family, even her parents. This is a sad and touching novel about family.
Thanks to #DogFlowers #NetGalley for the advance copy.
Thanks to #DogFlowers #NetGalley for the advance copy.
maraculous's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Sexual violence
1courtcourt's review
4.0
A truly heartbreaking account of the vicious cycle of generational trauma unfolding. It wasn’t what I was expecting as far as where and when it all took place but such an interesting memoir.
lunabbly's review
4.0
It was very beautiful. Danielle Geller captured so many of the same feelings that I had in regards to wanting and desiring love, attachment, and closeness with my own mother. It's something that I'm actually working through with my therapist now.
It's a memoir of Geller's mother and also interwoven within it is Geller's own story. I loved that it was told almost like an anthology and didn't hit the typical, usual "this is how I found myself" by exploring what identity means to me and how I've been shaped -- though there is nothing wrong with those types of stories either. It read like Geller was stating straight facts with a lot of emotional reflection, though some parts were dry and a little bit confusing as to whether or not we were exploring Danielle or her mother's stories.
I'd recommend to everyone because of the unique storytelling and Danielle has a beautiful way of capturing things in such a truthful manner.
It's a memoir of Geller's mother and also interwoven within it is Geller's own story. I loved that it was told almost like an anthology and didn't hit the typical, usual "this is how I found myself" by exploring what identity means to me and how I've been shaped -- though there is nothing wrong with those types of stories either. It read like Geller was stating straight facts with a lot of emotional reflection, though some parts were dry and a little bit confusing as to whether or not we were exploring Danielle or her mother's stories.
I'd recommend to everyone because of the unique storytelling and Danielle has a beautiful way of capturing things in such a truthful manner.
growing_zoe's review
5.0
“The dog dug deep furrows in the earth. ‘He tracks that dirt all over the house,’ Dale said, pointing at the trail of muddy paw prints that led through the back door. ‘Your mom used to call them ‘dog flowers.’’ I looked again at the mud blooming on the ground and tried very hard to see what my mother had seen.”
Such a heartbreakingly beautiful book. Very sorrowful in the way Danielle Geller exposes bits and pieces of her life and the ones around her to showcase how the world is made of broken cycles being repeated time and time again, but important all the same. The footnotes and pieces of her mother used to help construct and structure the story kept the story interesting as well as a keeping a pit in my stomach as I read. Truly a moving memoir.
Such a heartbreakingly beautiful book. Very sorrowful in the way Danielle Geller exposes bits and pieces of her life and the ones around her to showcase how the world is made of broken cycles being repeated time and time again, but important all the same. The footnotes and pieces of her mother used to help construct and structure the story kept the story interesting as well as a keeping a pit in my stomach as I read. Truly a moving memoir.
aliciarosebane's review
5.0
I really loved this book. The journey for Danielle to know her mother after her death is heartbreaking, but she's also able to find a lot of light and silver linings through new relationships with her extended family and their traditions. Her family history of alcoholism and abuse hit close to home for me. She wrote with (rightful) anger, but also with compassion and understanding. Her love for her family shines through, even at the most difficult moments. She often gives too much of herself for her family, and I can very much relate to that. The anxiety it brings, and the heartache, and the frustration. I could feel all of it as I read. I couldn't put it down, and I would definitely read it again.
bookboy_troy's review against another edition
4.0
"To love an addict is a trap"
A truly heartbreaking and devastating memoir of the destruction and tragedy caused by alcoholism and addiction. It made me think a lot about the responsibility we often feel for people we shouldn't and how hard it is to break free from the people tied to us - through blood or otherwise - when all they've ever done is break your heart and make your life harder.
A truly heartbreaking and devastating memoir of the destruction and tragedy caused by alcoholism and addiction. It made me think a lot about the responsibility we often feel for people we shouldn't and how hard it is to break free from the people tied to us - through blood or otherwise - when all they've ever done is break your heart and make your life harder.