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jadonm's review
2.0
I'm... not quite sure why this book exists, to be honest. The story is a time-honored one, something that even Howard themselves acknowledges lives in a fairly substantial part of our modern zeitgeist, if shows like Hoarding: Buried Alive and The Lifechanging Magic of Tidying Up are anything to go off of. Moving an aging parent into a home is a very raw nerve to touch on the best of days, one that feels like it needed to be told, and I enjoyed those parts of the story the most.
But the rest of this book feels like something you'd politely sit through during conversation at the dinner table with some far-flung relative on a homecoming tour, regaling you with their various teachings from a life well-lived. It reads like a quick-and-dirty Medium article by someone you've never heard of, something you skim because of the allure of a greater message (which you don't find). It makes some vapid points about Victorianism and how it relates to modern life, but that's about it, really.
That's what this book is. It's vapid. I liked the message, and the topic was interesting, but otherwise? It's nothing more than a soapbox, or a one-sided conversation where only the speaker is interested in the topic at hand. If you're looking for something more informative, the book you seek is in another clutter-filled castle.
But the rest of this book feels like something you'd politely sit through during conversation at the dinner table with some far-flung relative on a homecoming tour, regaling you with their various teachings from a life well-lived. It reads like a quick-and-dirty Medium article by someone you've never heard of, something you skim because of the allure of a greater message (which you don't find). It makes some vapid points about Victorianism and how it relates to modern life, but that's about it, really.
That's what this book is. It's vapid. I liked the message, and the topic was interesting, but otherwise? It's nothing more than a soapbox, or a one-sided conversation where only the speaker is interested in the topic at hand. If you're looking for something more informative, the book you seek is in another clutter-filled castle.
nina_rod's review
4.0
I read that this is the most compassionate take on hoarding and that’s what made me borrow the audiobook from the library. The book starts off as a woman cleaning out her mother’s house. Her mother has a very full house with stuff overflowing in every room, including the basement and attic. She takes time, over a year to go through and clean out her mother’s house. While trying to process her emotions, she delves into the history of hoarding and modern consumerism. Also the wave of professional organizers and junk haulers.
I appreciated this take. The author looks into Marie Kondo and also the Swedish book on Death Cleaning. I’ve always be interested in cleaning organizing and minimalism. So I appreciated this kind take on what happens when it goes terrible.
From reading this book I dread having to take care of my parents affairs. They are divorced and I am an only child so I suspect I will have to deal with it twice. Thankfully they live in tiny apartments and aren’t hoarders. Tho my mom does have a few collections.
This book has also made me excited to read the book taking up space on my cluttered bookshelf The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. I haven’t picked it up because during Covid, it seemed all too real. But I think I am ready to pick up the book and through my things so my kids will have an easier time of it. Unfortunately I don’t live in a tiny apartment but a mid-sized suburban home.
I appreciated this take. The author looks into Marie Kondo and also the Swedish book on Death Cleaning. I’ve always be interested in cleaning organizing and minimalism. So I appreciated this kind take on what happens when it goes terrible.
From reading this book I dread having to take care of my parents affairs. They are divorced and I am an only child so I suspect I will have to deal with it twice. Thankfully they live in tiny apartments and aren’t hoarders. Tho my mom does have a few collections.
This book has also made me excited to read the book taking up space on my cluttered bookshelf The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. I haven’t picked it up because during Covid, it seemed all too real. But I think I am ready to pick up the book and through my things so my kids will have an easier time of it. Unfortunately I don’t live in a tiny apartment but a mid-sized suburban home.
r33n's review against another edition
interesting stuff. americana really have too much
swirls's review
5.0
Well, that was weirdly lovely: part personal essay, part history, and part literature review. I kept marking new articles and books to read for later as she mentioned them. It's short, extremely engaging, and surprisingly sympathetic to those struggling with hoarding disorders.
circle's review
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
Tracing the cause of clutter back to Victorian Era and industrial revolution