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100pagesaday's review against another edition
4.0
Sonja Livingston grew up in poverty around Western New York during the 1970’s and 80’s. Her family lived in downtown Rochester, Albion, and the Tonawanda Reservation. While her experiences are unique, there are many who grew up in similar situations and still face the same issues. In this moving and passionate memoir, Sonja reflects on growing up in poverty in Rochester, having a single parent household with many mouths to feed and how community helped to support and hinder her growth all at once.
As someone who lives in and near the location of this story, I was really interested in Sonja’s experience growing up in the same neighborhood. Unfortunately, not much has changed in the neighborhoods that she had grown up in; however, I do believe that there is much more opportunity for people in the inner city, especially young people. Sonja tells her story very matter-of-factly and from a child’s perspective. I loved to see Sonja’s grit and determination to overcome- even if she didn’t realize that was what she was doing. Sonja’s stories range from humorous to heartbreaking, but always with the theme of marching forward. I was very intrigued by her views of her mother and the absence of her father as well as her sibling’s fathers, so much so that father became an abstract term. The community feeling in each setting that Sonja lived in was also interesting to me, how streets and Church became close knit lifelines. While Sonja’s life was harsh, she fought to overcome and was able to get out of the cycle that she seemed to be destined for.
As someone who lives in and near the location of this story, I was really interested in Sonja’s experience growing up in the same neighborhood. Unfortunately, not much has changed in the neighborhoods that she had grown up in; however, I do believe that there is much more opportunity for people in the inner city, especially young people. Sonja tells her story very matter-of-factly and from a child’s perspective. I loved to see Sonja’s grit and determination to overcome- even if she didn’t realize that was what she was doing. Sonja’s stories range from humorous to heartbreaking, but always with the theme of marching forward. I was very intrigued by her views of her mother and the absence of her father as well as her sibling’s fathers, so much so that father became an abstract term. The community feeling in each setting that Sonja lived in was also interesting to me, how streets and Church became close knit lifelines. While Sonja’s life was harsh, she fought to overcome and was able to get out of the cycle that she seemed to be destined for.
kristinisreading's review against another edition
5.0
I am not particularly enamored of lyrical or poetic prose, but I loved this book. The super short, often only a couple pages, snippets both stand alone and meld together into a whole narrative that tells the story of poverty and pain. Set in my local area, it was a way of exploring a different way of life. While e imagery was wonderful, there was a clarity to the writing that I also admired.
mechapman80's review against another edition
4.0
In the interest of full disclosure, let me say that I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
And that I am not a very excellent review-writer!
That said, I loved it. Not because I won it, but because it was...well, I still haven't been able to think of a word! It was definitely different from what I expected and not my normal reading fare, at least by style, but it was still awesome. In a way, it reminded me of The Glass Castle, but again, completely different in writing style. Hardly any chapters are longer than a page and a half to two pages so it makes for great reading "sessions". However, once I'd start reading, I couldn't put it down. The chapters read like small essays or short stories in and of themselves but of course they all tie together and one chapter may be the set-up for the next. It made for very compelling reading. I did not grow up in poverty, but now as a struggling, out-of-work, single mother I even felt I could relate in some ways, but to the mother. Although I am maybe a more involved mother, I felt a sort of empathy for Ms. Livingston's mother, in spite of her faults. I'd highly recommend this book, especially for lovers of memoirs, but be prepared for wonderful writing and something a little different.
And that I am not a very excellent review-writer!
That said, I loved it. Not because I won it, but because it was...well, I still haven't been able to think of a word! It was definitely different from what I expected and not my normal reading fare, at least by style, but it was still awesome. In a way, it reminded me of The Glass Castle, but again, completely different in writing style. Hardly any chapters are longer than a page and a half to two pages so it makes for great reading "sessions". However, once I'd start reading, I couldn't put it down. The chapters read like small essays or short stories in and of themselves but of course they all tie together and one chapter may be the set-up for the next. It made for very compelling reading. I did not grow up in poverty, but now as a struggling, out-of-work, single mother I even felt I could relate in some ways, but to the mother. Although I am maybe a more involved mother, I felt a sort of empathy for Ms. Livingston's mother, in spite of her faults. I'd highly recommend this book, especially for lovers of memoirs, but be prepared for wonderful writing and something a little different.
deborah_ann's review against another edition
3.0
Memoirs of a Catholic girl growing up in extreme poverty in the Rochester area in the 1970's. This is a heartbreaking story that's beautifully written. Sonja was one of seven children; the oldest three from the same father, the other four are from all different fathers. Sonja writes that it was no big deal not having a father, but she talks about fathers a lot and it's a deep source of shame - "Despite so many daddies; we'd somehow ended up with none."
Sonja's mother moved her family back and forth across Western New York many times. I think there was a great deal of Sonja's maternal grandmother in her mom, both had a strong wanderlust/restlessness that created loads of unnecessary hardship. Her mother was overwhelmed, probably depressed and using. Some of that affected Sonja, who was constantly in trouble. She had growing apathy towards school and came very close to not graduating. Sonja, most likely, would have ended up a teenage mother, if not for an infertility problem, which turned out to be blessing and a curse all rolled into one.
Overall, two items standout - Sonja Livingston's writing is beautiful, bordering on poetic and her story is told in a very open, sincere manner. Each chapter is no more than one or two pages, written as short essays, so it's easy to pick up and put down.
For the record, Ghostbread is an actual bread that the Indians make to celebrate the removal of ghosts. Maybe that's a message for her readers; that Sonja Livingston is exorcising the ghosts of her childhood by delving into the memories of her past.
Sonja's mother moved her family back and forth across Western New York many times. I think there was a great deal of Sonja's maternal grandmother in her mom, both had a strong wanderlust/restlessness that created loads of unnecessary hardship. Her mother was overwhelmed, probably depressed and using. Some of that affected Sonja, who was constantly in trouble. She had growing apathy towards school and came very close to not graduating. Sonja, most likely, would have ended up a teenage mother, if not for an infertility problem, which turned out to be blessing and a curse all rolled into one.
Overall, two items standout - Sonja Livingston's writing is beautiful, bordering on poetic and her story is told in a very open, sincere manner. Each chapter is no more than one or two pages, written as short essays, so it's easy to pick up and put down.
For the record, Ghostbread is an actual bread that the Indians make to celebrate the removal of ghosts. Maybe that's a message for her readers; that Sonja Livingston is exorcising the ghosts of her childhood by delving into the memories of her past.
sharonfalduto's review against another edition
A memoir, a series of vignettes that add up to a picture of an impoverished life in the slums of New York in the 1970s and 1980s. It sounds like it would be depressing, and I was almost afraid to read it, but it really isn't too bad. Even though her life sounds a bit soul crushing, she seemed content with her life--sure, she didn't have a father, but hardly anyone else had a father or any money, either. She has a nice, spare evocative style. Even events that would have been played for huge tragedy in other books (like a house fire) and related in a matter-of-fact way without a lot of hand wringing.
shereadersbookclub's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so raw and real. The writing is impressive and very beautiful. I feel so inspired by this read and will certainly seek out the author's other books. What a treasure to our city to have this author present and representing Rochester in her writing!
mctmama's review against another edition
3.0
This was a painful read at times. Sonja Livingston's honest portrayal of living in poverty in the Rochester area was eye opening. After reading about her life, and the many challenges children growing up in a poverty stricken environment face, I wonder how anyone can develop the self motivation to make it out. I can't really rate this book in the usual way - did I love reading it? No, honestly, it made me uncomfortable. But sometimes being uncomfortable, and learning about life outside your own circle is necessary.
kellymy's review against another edition
5.0
Charming! If there was a second volume, I'd scoop it up! I enjoyed the storytelling, and was totally enamored with the author as a girl through age 10. What a gift for storytelling, and a blessing to have the memories. But, as her teen years came on, I was surprised at the lack of rage and contempt towards her mother. I was stuck that she no longer mentioned poverty or longing for belongings as a teen. Sadly, maybe her longing faded away. I also really enjoyed the tiny chapters! I was delighted with the pacing that they provided. Sometimes an abrupt single paragraph, sometimes five winding pages.
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