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amyzig's review
4.0
I thought this was a really interesting read about feminism and its changing role through history, juxtaposed with the ebbs and flows of Jell-o. The historical aspects were well written but I thought it got a little too "medical" later in the book. Still, a solid memoir.
bkish's review
3.0
I read this memoir carefully and then I began to ? what others think of it cause it would have a limited audience as it is about issues of mental health. I believe most people now dont want that in their lives and that is why we as a country are in the current situation of Denial.
Anyway this memoir by Allie is tangentially about Jell-O. Her family really her great aunt was in the family that profited from the sale of Jell-O at a time before it was popular. It was I think Edith who willed some large amount to Allie's mother and that kept her going as an artist for her lifetime and then upon her death it was there for Allie. This story is not about "wealth". It is about some very disturbed young women whose life is incredibly similar and they are mother and daughter.
They are both so so fragile and seek for something to matter in their lives so their lives have meaning. Allie's mother is Mary and her mother is Midge and the story goes back into their lives.
Allie has a good education for her writing and a marriage that is very important to her well being.
there is lot of talk by her about issues of women being discredited and about the roles of men within the patriarchy. That is an important conversation in this book. Im not so sure that this is the source of what happens to these 3 girls and woman...
Judy
Anyway this memoir by Allie is tangentially about Jell-O. Her family really her great aunt was in the family that profited from the sale of Jell-O at a time before it was popular. It was I think Edith who willed some large amount to Allie's mother and that kept her going as an artist for her lifetime and then upon her death it was there for Allie. This story is not about "wealth". It is about some very disturbed young women whose life is incredibly similar and they are mother and daughter.
They are both so so fragile and seek for something to matter in their lives so their lives have meaning. Allie's mother is Mary and her mother is Midge and the story goes back into their lives.
Allie has a good education for her writing and a marriage that is very important to her well being.
there is lot of talk by her about issues of women being discredited and about the roles of men within the patriarchy. That is an important conversation in this book. Im not so sure that this is the source of what happens to these 3 girls and woman...
Judy
kerryanndunn's review
4.0
I’ll sum up this book in three words: Damn the Patriarchy! You didn’t expect that, did you? Well, this book was just that: unexpected. Part family history, part personal memoir (memwah), part marketing history of Jell-O, all fascinating and beautifully written. And sad. And hopeful. And sad. My only unfulfilled wish with this book is photos. Why wouldn’t you have included images of the advertisements spoken of in the book? And family pictures too? I would have loved to have seen images of Midge and Mary. Luckily, the ads were easily googleable. But the lack of photos was a miss for me. Otherwise, I highly recommend this book for something unique.
Edit to add: I’m baffled by all the one star reviews for this book. This was never intended to be a history of Jell-O. There are other books for that. But what this is, is a beautifully written family history that examines how trauma against women can be passed down through generations and how the patriarchy takes away women’s voices and ability to openly deal with that trauma. It’s not a light and jiggly book, like Jell-O. It’s deep and heavy, like life.
Edit to add: I’m baffled by all the one star reviews for this book. This was never intended to be a history of Jell-O. There are other books for that. But what this is, is a beautifully written family history that examines how trauma against women can be passed down through generations and how the patriarchy takes away women’s voices and ability to openly deal with that trauma. It’s not a light and jiggly book, like Jell-O. It’s deep and heavy, like life.
betsycrawford's review
1.0
I have been on the waiting list to read this book for a while so I was very excited to take it with me to the beach. What a complete disappointment! This is such a load of self-indulgent bull$ht. Do not waste your time.
lmyers1214's review
2.25
Not really about the history of jell-I or feminism but rather a very privileged, destructive family. There were ups and downs, moments I liked and moments that were cringy in a “woah this is so out of touch” way. Almost DNF’d but pushed through to see if my
Opinion would change…it didn’t.
Opinion would change…it didn’t.
thuglibrarian's review
5.0
This is a unique memoir about the family who bought Jello-O patent & became fab rich and the mysterious ailments that plague them. In 1899, the author's great-great-great-uncle bought the patent for $450 and it changed their family dynamic forever, as it made them rich beyond their dreams. But with the change of social status came the the "Jell-O curse" which has followed the family for generations, and which the author's mother has been trying to write about for years. What is the curse? Readers will have to discover that for themselves.
But to label this book "just a memoir" is a disservice, as it's so much more. Author Allie Rowbottom also follows the history of processed food, (like Jell-O) to show how it untethered women from the drudgery of food preparation and allowed them to pursue their own goals. It's especially fascinating to read how marketing campaigns for Jell-O changed over the years as society changed. This is a wonderful memoir of food, family, wealth and society.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
But to label this book "just a memoir" is a disservice, as it's so much more. Author Allie Rowbottom also follows the history of processed food, (like Jell-O) to show how it untethered women from the drudgery of food preparation and allowed them to pursue their own goals. It's especially fascinating to read how marketing campaigns for Jell-O changed over the years as society changed. This is a wonderful memoir of food, family, wealth and society.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
sadpear's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Eating disorder, and Death of parent
laurenc18's review
2.0
This book dragged on. Thought it would be more about the history of Jello or the Jello family but it wasn’t. I was rather confused and felt like the book also just ended.