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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This memoir is compiled as letters written to men in her life, but one of the strengths of the book is Parker doesn't limit the subjects to people she knows. A nameless cab driver, the man who collected the oysters her father ate, and an animal are among the subjects. I was impressed to find so much depth and power in this memoir, as well as fantastic prose.
I ended up really liking this. At first I wasn't too sure. It is intimate, quirky and interesting.
The best part of this book was the author’s narration of it. It’s one of those books that only could have worked for me as an audiobook. Her voice is so distinct and loved the way she inhabited her writing.
Unfortunately, the novel often felt quite self indulgent (as memoirs sometimes do) and had a tendency to drag.
I love the concept and highly recommend listening to some of the chapters just for her voice.
Unfortunately, the novel often felt quite self indulgent (as memoirs sometimes do) and had a tendency to drag.
I love the concept and highly recommend listening to some of the chapters just for her voice.
I was pleasantly surprised at the superb writing from Mary-Louise Parker. Thought-provoking, emotional, and really hit home. She's lived so many lives that it was a very interesting read. I particularly loved the pieced about her father and grandfather. Artfully done.
What a wonderful, poignant, beautiful book. I really can't say enough good things about it, truly.
I wrote most of a review, about halfway through. About how in my early 20s I would have been wholesale enchanted by her voice in these stories, and would've wished I could be more impulsive-star-child like her.
About how now, though, I've lost patience for all that. How at first her voice felt grating and overly whimsical. But also -- also -- an uncomfortable mirror. We all have this book in us. "Dear college boyfriend who made me feel worldly," "Dear inspirational teacher I'll never forget," etc. Maybe not for everyone (I just don't know) but for me: I similarly define myself via the epochs of people in my life. Which means: her book felt trite and made me feel silly. But also it's the realest thing, and the way I also think about my life in the most private interior spaces.
Also: she's hysterical. And after a minute feeling feels about ex-boyfriends and star children, I started to see a real human being taking shape. "There are no kinds of people."
The last third of the book happened after Brexit, on a day of weird emotions and I wept over and over and over. Not because of her, directly, but just.... Being grown can be so complicated and lovely and horrible. She seems to have embraced that. I admire it.
About how now, though, I've lost patience for all that. How at first her voice felt grating and overly whimsical. But also -- also -- an uncomfortable mirror. We all have this book in us. "Dear college boyfriend who made me feel worldly," "Dear inspirational teacher I'll never forget," etc. Maybe not for everyone (I just don't know) but for me: I similarly define myself via the epochs of people in my life. Which means: her book felt trite and made me feel silly. But also it's the realest thing, and the way I also think about my life in the most private interior spaces.
Also: she's hysterical. And after a minute feeling feels about ex-boyfriends and star children, I started to see a real human being taking shape. "There are no kinds of people."
The last third of the book happened after Brexit, on a day of weird emotions and I wept over and over and over. Not because of her, directly, but just.... Being grown can be so complicated and lovely and horrible. She seems to have embraced that. I admire it.
The writing in this letter-format memoir is excellent. I found myself losing focus after awhile, however, and skimming the letters. It might just not be my type of book.
Holy hell, this woman can WRITE. It's almost unfair that one person should be such a great actor and then turn around and write prose that absolutely sings. Every letter in this book was a gem. This was an unexpected treat.