Reviews

The Ugly Cry by Danielle Henderson

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issianne's review against another edition

5.0

I ugly cried during this book. I know of Danielle Henderson through her podcast with Millie DeChirico, “I Saw What You Did.” It’s a podcast dedicated to film, and their dynamic is truly superb. So, I knew I had to pick this up because the two of them had hinted at Danielle’s life story a couple times. Danielle wrote this so well that I kept having to remind myself I was reading nonfiction and not fiction. She brought you into her world, made you feel like you were alongside her in her tumultuous childhood, and then ripped my heart out a couple times. Chapter nineteen was simply heartbreaking and the one that felt so real I had to put it down. Danielle frequently talks about her grandma on the podcast, especially since her grandma introduced her to horror movies at a startlingly young age. In her memoir, Danielle really paints the picture of the matriarch of her family. This book is nothing short but a love letter to her. Really enjoyed this—so quick and easy too!

lonelyasfranz's review against another edition

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4.0

Eloquent and touching. I have no complaints.

lowee's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

4.0

okevamae's review against another edition

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5.0

When Danielle Henderson was ten, her mother left her and her brother in the care of her grandparents in order to start a new family with a drug-addicted, abusive boyfriend. This book, which is at turns hilarious, harrowing and heartbreaking, follows Danielle’s childhood both before and after her abandonment.

Henderson’s writing is funny and engaging, but also raw and honest as she probes some of the most painful moments of her childhood. At the heart of the story is Danielle’s relationship with her grandmother, who, although she can be rough, sharp-tongued and profane, clearly loves her grandchildren fiercely, a love which ultimately saves Danielle’s life and sanity. The memoir also touches on themes such as growing up a latchkey kid in the 80s, growing up black in a mostly-white suburb, and the sometimes-tough-love lessons of self-reliance that Danielle also learns from her grandmother.

A compellingly-written memoir, and a voice I’m very interested in hearing more from.

TW: Child abuse, violence, molestation

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

nickscoby's review against another edition

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4.0

TBH, had I known that there was going to be representations of violence towards children, I never would have picked up. But I am so so glad that I did. As mentioned elsewhere there are parts that are literally laugh out loud funny (I'm thinking about the chapter on Action Park) and parts that are just incredibly sad. Like I wanted to fight people sad. But Dani's grandma is the real hero in this one.