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andrew61's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I enjoyed the first part of this 'memoir' so much that I quickly wanted to read the second volume in which we follow Janice into her teenage years where puberty, higher school, boys, music and literature come to see the silent child emerge into a budding adult. The story was beautifully written but also incredibly moving as the prose instantly transported the reader.
I have referenced memoir in inverted commas having just listened to an interview with the author in which she emphasises that while this is her story her memories can never be accurate so there has to be an element of fiction to the narrative.
At the heart of the story remains the family at its heart as Janice trys not disappoint her mother but also avoid the physical force from her indomitable sister Cora who remains the character that hovers over this story and is incredibly complicated and frightening. There are so many scenes that stand out, but perhaps the confrontation with Janice's aunty's kitty at a family wedding is most memorable.
But this book also reflects on much else with the wonder of an inspirational teacher, to the importance of friendship (although the scene with Jacob at the end is devastating). This is definitely not a misery memoir but an expression of the uniqueness of the individual and how art can inspire a child to escape the expectations of society.
It's a brilliant book, incredibly written, which I will remember for a while, my first 5* of the year.
I have referenced memoir in inverted commas having just listened to an interview with the author in which she emphasises that while this is her story her memories can never be accurate so there has to be an element of fiction to the narrative.
At the heart of the story remains the family at its heart as Janice trys not disappoint her mother but also avoid the physical force from her indomitable sister Cora who remains the character that hovers over this story and is incredibly complicated and frightening. There are so many scenes that stand out, but perhaps the confrontation with Janice's aunty's kitty at a family wedding is most memorable.
But this book also reflects on much else with the wonder of an inspirational teacher, to the importance of friendship (although the scene with Jacob at the end is devastating). This is definitely not a misery memoir but an expression of the uniqueness of the individual and how art can inspire a child to escape the expectations of society.
It's a brilliant book, incredibly written, which I will remember for a while, my first 5* of the year.
andintothetrees's review against another edition
4.0
Janice Galloway has the best book titles. The Trick Is To Keep Breathing, This Is Not About Me and now All Made Up, her second memoir. It picks up where This Is Not About Me left off and follows Janice through her high school days in 1960s/70s Saltcoats (that’s on the west coast of Scotland for those who don’t know. I’ve been there, it’s a fairly typical run-down seaside town). Admittedly I came to this book biased, being a fan of Janice Galloway’s other writing. I hastily snatched it up from the front desk of the library where it was proudly on display as a brand new book (isn’t it lovely being the first person to read a library book and know you’re not going to come across any dubious stains or old bus tickets sandwiched between the pages?), took it home and got stuck straight in.
... [Read the rest of my review here: https://whathannahread.wordpress.com/2011/11/28/all-made-up-by-janice-galloway/]
... [Read the rest of my review here: https://whathannahread.wordpress.com/2011/11/28/all-made-up-by-janice-galloway/]
sadiereadsagain's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second of Galloway's memoirs. This covers her teenage years, whereas her first memoir [b:This is Not About Me|4455494|This is Not About Me|Janice Galloway|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328724372l/4455494._SX50_.jpg|4503741] is, I gather, about her childhood. This is the first of the two I've read, and having done so I don't think you need to read them in order.
I really enjoyed Galloway's writing when I read her novel about mental health - [b:The Trick is to Keep Breathing|468488|The Trick is to Keep Breathing|Janice Galloway|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403201951l/468488._SY75_.jpg|2468841] - last year. I enjoyed this book just as much, where she turns her lens on to her own difficult upbringing. Growing up in a small flat, sharing a bed with her mother after her much older sister has returned home after walking out on her marriage and child. Trying to be a good student and daughter whilst living under the scrutiny and abuse of her sister, teenage Janice becomes more unsure of herself. She finds solace in her love of Latin, reading and playing in the school orchestra, but these passions only seem to further draw out her sister's spite. Her mother provides little protection, and Janice finds herself looking for belonging elsewhere.
This is the sort of memoir that completely drags me in. Honesty with an unflinching introspection, that allows the reader to really understand the starting blocks from which an impressive person has pushed off. There is tough stuff to read in this book, it is very bleak in parts. Some of it resonated quite painfully with me. But it is balanced out with some humour and a writing of real clarity and poise. Plus, Scotland. I devoured this book and can't wait to get to her first memoir to read about what came before.
I really enjoyed Galloway's writing when I read her novel about mental health - [b:The Trick is to Keep Breathing|468488|The Trick is to Keep Breathing|Janice Galloway|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403201951l/468488._SY75_.jpg|2468841] - last year. I enjoyed this book just as much, where she turns her lens on to her own difficult upbringing. Growing up in a small flat, sharing a bed with her mother after her much older sister has returned home after walking out on her marriage and child. Trying to be a good student and daughter whilst living under the scrutiny and abuse of her sister, teenage Janice becomes more unsure of herself. She finds solace in her love of Latin, reading and playing in the school orchestra, but these passions only seem to further draw out her sister's spite. Her mother provides little protection, and Janice finds herself looking for belonging elsewhere.
This is the sort of memoir that completely drags me in. Honesty with an unflinching introspection, that allows the reader to really understand the starting blocks from which an impressive person has pushed off. There is tough stuff to read in this book, it is very bleak in parts. Some of it resonated quite painfully with me. But it is balanced out with some humour and a writing of real clarity and poise. Plus, Scotland. I devoured this book and can't wait to get to her first memoir to read about what came before.
hey_laura_mc's review
5.0
Worrrrr. I bloody love a bit of a misery memoir and this trumps the lot. Her style is TO DIE FOR, people. I want to read everything she's ever written. Five big fat stars.
janice_72's review
5.0
really enjoyed reading about Janice's life growing up in Saltcoats/Ardrossan - definitely not a sugar coated story.
balancinghistorybooks's review
3.0
I love Galloway, but this wasn't as gripping as her first volume of autobiography, and I must admit that I took it back to the library before finishing it.
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