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nicoleava's review
I have never felt such a subtle anxiety closing over me while reading a book like this. It felt oppressive, as though a literal weight was pressing on my chest and crushing me. I watched Alien while pregnant and that's nothing. This is fear.
librarydosebykristy's review
3.0
I browsed this book, rather than read it from start to finish. It was entertaining, elegantly written, but not profound or even very interesting. Jackson spent too much time poking fun at her own mothering skills and the crazy chaos of family life. It turned very predictable about a third in--which is why I decided to skim!
Still, she is a lovely writer and some of the stories were funny.
Still, she is a lovely writer and some of the stories were funny.
seahorsesister's review
5.0
I felt as though I had walked back in time- to an era when stories were told with subtle humor and artful language, where the plot shared the stage with character development and both demurred to the craft of the story teller--more books like this! More stories that wrap you in a softness and chuckle alongside your morning coffee.
laila4343's review
3.0
Amusing, but I definitely prefer her fiction! I kept thinking the whole time, what is her husband doing?!? Where is he?!?
cindyjac's review
3.0
I love Shirley Jackson's writing and was curious about her life; reading this was like time traveling back to my own childhood. This was published the year before I was born. She captures her children's spirit in this book and deals honestly with the fun and frustrations of raising kids at any age. Her tale about her son Laurie's first weeks in school and the naughty imaginary "Charles" made me laugh and think of my own son and his many similar adventures in elementary school. Even though it's a vintage tale, parents will relate to her family.