Reviews

Slow Motion: A Memoir of a Life Rescued by Tragedy by Dani Shapiro

brennaweeks's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

1.0

lisdahl's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Drug use, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Eating disorder

shs111's review against another edition

5.0

I'm binge-reading Dani Shapiro's books, it seems, and I'm so glad that I found her works. "Slow Motion" tells a difficult and often painful story, and I was struck by Shapiro's willingness to reveal as much as she did. Because the first book (of hers) that I read was "Inheritance," a lot of what might not have made sense in "Slow Motion" made sense because of what I'd come to understand from "Inheritance." I'm looking forward to reading her other books. Not sure why others didn't like this book, but I did. Very much.

hollyhandal's review against another edition

5.0

Woooahhh. I’m speechless. Shapiro is an exceptionally gifted writer. I’m completely spellbound by her ability to captivate and hold my attention from beginning to end. I should also mention that I listened to this on audiobook which I think is a particular treat- she has a beautiful reading voice, and a memoir that’s read by the author is just a very vulnerable and lovely way to encounter her story.

This is such a powerful memoir about why we make the choices we make, and also grapples with the tragedy and complexity of aging parents who die. How do we navigate the role reversal of that and how do we make sense of our past when it’s cloudy, painful, and confusing?

Excellently done.

daysreads's review against another edition

I really thoroughly enjoyed reading this although maybe enjoyed is the wrong word but it was a really good memoir would recommend if it sounds mildly interesting to you

luciavk's review against another edition

sad tense medium-paced

3.75

kevinhendricks's review against another edition

3.0

This is kind of a hard memoir. Dani has dropped out of college to be the arm candy of her former best friend's sleazy father, when her parents get in a horrific car accident. She's a complete mess, but it's a moment where her life changes course. It's hard to read because she's not very sympathetic, but it is well-written and gripping in a way.

yangyvonne's review against another edition

4.0

I honestly thought this was fiction until I noticed the author was the main character and the inside page said "A True Story". In the 1980's, Dani lived as the kept woman of a high-powered attorney. Then, her parents are in a car crash, her father dies, and her mother has 81 broken bones. Dani starts over by going back for her last year at Sarah Lawrence, joining AA, cutting Lenny out of her life, and taking care of her mother. In the end, she is questioned by the FBI in their case about Lenny, but is well on her way to success as an author and to making-up for the lost 4 years she spent with him.

The book is as addictive as the drugs Dani took. You could understand her fragility - what drew her to and kept her with Lenny. Her family was crazy - like everyone's, but she was stuck in the middle, seeing both sides, but having to be her "mother's child". I was glad when she dumped Lenny and thrilled he was caught by the FBI. It's sad it took her father's passing to spur-on these changes, but he would be proud to be part of it all (and her mother should be grateful Dani didn't push her wheelchair into traffic).

francescamoroney's review against another edition

4.0

Powerful memoir. Strong narrative voice. No self-pity. Just an examination of the hand she was dealt, and now she responded.

kellyd's review against another edition

3.0

This is a moving story, despite the wealth and privilege she and her family possesses.