Reviews

Upper Bohemia: A Memoir by Hayden Herrera

shanhautman's review against another edition

I wanted more than this book shared. Missing some emotional interpretations from the author. Lots of name dropping and descriptions of various homes. Somewhat interesting but just didn’t grab me.

twinpharmer's review against another edition

3.0

This memoir is a unique look into the eclectic childhood of Hayden Harrera and her sister Blair. As children of “bohemian” parents in the 1940s, both girls learned how to fend for their own in multiple boarding schools while their parents were shuffling through multiple spouses. With each new marriage (five for each parent!), came a new city, a new house, a new school. Hayden was on the never ending quest for her parents’ attention and affection, although most of the time receiving the opposite. •
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I appreciated that the author kept her tone neutral throughout, allowing the reader to form their own opinion on the parenting style she was subject to. The sentences felt short and direct, although at times it felt as though I was reading through a child’s point of view: jumping from one description to the next without pause. I never felt a deep connection to Hayden or her stories due to the detached style of storytelling, but this memoir was compelling nonetheless. Fans of #TheGlassCastle would enjoy this book!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

maralyons's review against another edition

3.0

A fascinating memoir about growing up with "Upper Bohemian" parents in the 1940-50s. Herrera describes Upper Bohemian as those born into wealth/privilege that decide to live in unconventional ways. Hayden Herrera's parents were both artists and constantly in flux. Her parents constantly moved and married different partners multiple times during her childhood. This lead to Herrera and her older sister living in many homes in Massachusetts, New York, and Mexico with each parent and their partners. Instability was the only constant for Hayden and her sister, Blair. Their parents were more concerned with satisfying their desires and whims than being parents, which forced their children to learn independence early on. There was Herrera's parents grew up in worlds of wealth and privilege, so it's fascinating to hear the name dropping of those in their circles, including famous artists and families that built major American institutions. 'Upper Bohemia' reads like someone recounting their chaotic childhood at a party with artists. This didn't always work for me as some parts were a little disjointed and slow. Despite being pretty short, this took me a while to get through. Overall, a unique perspective recounting the fascinating experiences of a child of Upper Bohemians in the 1940-50s.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing this ARC.

katerr's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.0

This book had a surprising amount of “fat talk” for a book that isn’t about that at all. The author frequently describes herself as a child as fat (with little else description) and describes others as fat with no other description (as if that’s all that needs to be said about a person). It was very off-putting. 

conorsweetman's review against another edition

3.0

A scrapbook of memories without a conceptual thread to bind them all together.

erika_reynolds20's review against another edition

3.0

Upper Bohemia is a memoir detailing the childhood of Hayden Herrera and her sister, Blair. Born to artistic parents who were more concerned with their own pleasure than raising children, Hayden and Blair spent their youth traveling between various relatives, countries, and schools. While the girls were often sent away to boarding schools so their parents could focus on their various spouses and partners (each were married 5 times), Hayden doesn’t look back on her childhood with anger. The tone of this book reminds me a lot of Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle. Neither author is wrapped up in the emotion of a childhood plagued by unstable parents; instead, they both recall their upbringing in a manner that lets the reader make their own judgments.

Hayden’s life story is interesting, but I felt she spent too much time providing details into her family’s history that were not necessary for understanding the book or her experiences. In fact, it was a little rough to get through the first 3-4 chapters. After that, the book takes off in the best way. Hayden is very matter of fact in her writing, which I appreciate. The language isn’t flowery, but she does a wonderful job of providing just enough details of her life in Mexico to keep anyone unfamiliar with the culture along for the ride. The ending felt very abrupt, though. I didn’t realize I was on the last chapter, and had it not been for the postscript, the ending would have been very anticlimactic. The postscript is a nice touch that gives some insight into Hayden and Blair’s adult lives, but I didn’t feel satisfied with the last chapter of their childhood. Overall, this is a unique life story that is worth reading.

Thank you to Net Galley and Simon & Schuster Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

ninahorne's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

2.5

Mostly this book made me sad. The writing style was a little boring too. And I hated all of the fat phobia. All in all it felt honest and interesting but I wouldn’t read it again or recommend it. 

bookedupgirl's review against another edition

3.0

3.5/5

Herrera is known for her biographies of some of the most famous painters - her Frida Kahlo book was adapted for screens and starred Salma Hayek! In her own memoir, she recounts her chaotic artistic/bohemia childhood. The book is composed of short memories painting a picture of neglectful parents, who were totally self absorbed and focused on leading “a passionate life” above all else. Throughout the book we are taken on a crazy (at times unbelievable!) ride - her parents constant string of new spouses, moving countries/homes countless times; she lived a completely unpredictable, stressful childhood, with some seriously traumatic events. We get a super fast forward glimpse into her adulthood, where she strives to create the home environment she never had for her own children.⁣
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deweydecimalsisters's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective fast-paced

3.0

ankeesee's review against another edition

emotional sad fast-paced

3.0