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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
This book was hard to read, I won’t lie. There are graphic depictions of sexual violence against children, multiple children. But this is a woman’s story of pain and anguish and triumph and comfort. Well (ghost) written IMO. A story that deserves to be told and heard.
This heartbreaking but hopeful memoir was so painful to read at times, but I was completely immersed throughout. As a follower of Stephanie Thornton Plymale on instagram, I had often drooled over her gorgeous home and admired her successful business and strong marriage. Never would I have guessed the depths of her torturous childhood filled with poverty, homelessness, sexual assault, and an often absent mother suffering from acute mental illness. This intimate look at a mother/daughter relationship gutted me for the majority of the story and then uplifted me in the final pages. This is an extraordinary tale of forgiveness, self-discovery, and love that I won’t soon forget.
Stephanie's story is incredible and her resiliency shines through the pages. This one is being compared to The Glass Castle and I agree with the comparison. What set American Daughter apart is how the author describes her healing process as an adult, which is what I appreciate most about her story. I highly recommend you read the epilogue. Most of the book felt like it skimmed the surface and was telling the story, but I wanted more of Stephanie's internal dialogue and emotions. The epilogue gives you that, I just wish that had been done more throughout the book. There were also a lot of foreshadowing that I felt did not fit in a memoir, as well as metaphors of the author's career in interior design and her desire as a child to create a home. While, I understood the metaphors, they felt a little flat.
Read my full review at: https://www.mynightsbooked.com/post/jan-2021-new-releases-aftershocks-american-daughter
Read my full review at: https://www.mynightsbooked.com/post/jan-2021-new-releases-aftershocks-american-daughter
This was an extremely entertaining memoir about transcending the harshest of circumstances and coming out ahead. Thankfully, the message is not one that "proves" that everyone has an equal opportunity and that hard work alone will get you success--no matter what you face. Yes, our author was successful, but she does not tout that it was easy and that it is possible for everyone.
There was much in this story that reminded me of The Glass Castle, which I also loved. It was a quick and fantastic read.
There was much in this story that reminded me of The Glass Castle, which I also loved. It was a quick and fantastic read.
TW: severe sexual assault, pedophilia, physical, mental, and sexual abuse, child neglect, medical issues, violence.
Memoirs are nearly impossible for me to rate and give feedback on. What I can say is that this was an extremely well written story about extreme resilience and the power of forgiveness.
Parts of this book were extremely hard to read due to the subject matter, and the author discusses these topics openly and honestly.
Definitely a very interesting look at what severe trauma, mental illness, and addiction can do to a family.
Memoirs are nearly impossible for me to rate and give feedback on. What I can say is that this was an extremely well written story about extreme resilience and the power of forgiveness.
Parts of this book were extremely hard to read due to the subject matter, and the author discusses these topics openly and honestly.
Definitely a very interesting look at what severe trauma, mental illness, and addiction can do to a family.
It has taken me awhile to sit and write about this book. Immediately after reading the book, my first thought was – wow this is a story with so many layers. Five stars! I wanted to think about the book, give it a week or two to see if still felt that way. I still think it’s a 5 star read. This book is similar to memoirs such as The Glass Castle, Educated, Etched in Sand, Girl Unbroken or Blackbird just to name a few.
Stephanie Thornton Plymale overcame a horrific childhood filled with abuse and neglect to create a life with a loving partner, children and successful career as a designer. The focus of Stephanie’s memoir is her relationship as an adult with her mother while also going back in time to parts of her childhood. Her mother is mentally ill which plays a significant role in her chaotic childhood. There were periods of time where Stephanie tried to distance herself from her mother. Upon learning her mother was dying of cancer, Stephanie attempts to find out more about her mother and fill in the pieces that did not always make sense. As the story unfolds we learn about the incredibly traumatic events of Stephanie’s mother’s life. Both women are survivors. I definitely recommend reading An American Daughter. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
Stephanie Thornton Plymale overcame a horrific childhood filled with abuse and neglect to create a life with a loving partner, children and successful career as a designer. The focus of Stephanie’s memoir is her relationship as an adult with her mother while also going back in time to parts of her childhood. Her mother is mentally ill which plays a significant role in her chaotic childhood. There were periods of time where Stephanie tried to distance herself from her mother. Upon learning her mother was dying of cancer, Stephanie attempts to find out more about her mother and fill in the pieces that did not always make sense. As the story unfolds we learn about the incredibly traumatic events of Stephanie’s mother’s life. Both women are survivors. I definitely recommend reading An American Daughter. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
Book Riot 2021: Read a book that demystifies a common mental illness
First ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ of the year. For the "fans" of Tara Westover's Educated, though we can all agree we can't claim to be fans of such horror. It's so unfair how both Tara and Stephanie fell through the cracks over and over and over.
May this story be the amplifier to the change that needs to happen in [USA] welfare, mental health, foster care, systems and beyond.
First ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ of the year. For the "fans" of Tara Westover's Educated, though we can all agree we can't claim to be fans of such horror. It's so unfair how both Tara and Stephanie fell through the cracks over and over and over.
May this story be the amplifier to the change that needs to happen in [USA] welfare, mental health, foster care, systems and beyond.
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
I love memoirs, especially stories about someone persevering through a difficult childhood and coming out better on the other side. I find them so inspiring and engaging, hard to put down. This title was sent to me by a friend this am. I downloaded it right away and couldn’t stop listening - got me through mindless Saturday house cleaning tasks. This memoir is so much better than the one I recently finished, “What My Bones Know “, that offered no hope; I found it like wading through quicksand. This one way better. Listen to on audio. PS: using your food stamp $ to get breast implants? That takes bad parenting to a whole nuther level!