Scan barcode
crybabybea's review against another edition
4.5
I especially found the writing similar to other memoirs such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Dr. Maya Angelou and I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, in the way that Ashley C. Ford is able to capture her own childhood voice and mix it with her reflection as an adult. She painted a full picture of the events that shaped her, as well as the people closest to her.
I appreciated especially the portrayal of her mother, who was imperfect in every way; abusive but loving, joyful but full of fear and stress, neglectful but caring, and overall just a woman trying her best with what she was given. As well, her father, incarcerated for 20+ years for a crime unknown to Ashley for the majority of her life (and unknown to the reader until the memoir reaches that point in Ashley's timeline) is a full figure of doting and adoration, while Ashley has to reconcile with the reality his crime and what it means to herself and her family. I found the exploration of familial relationships relatable and touching.
Definitely a standout memoir.
Graphic: Fatphobia, Rape, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Violence
wandering_canuck's review against another edition
5.0
On its face, it is the experience of a girl whose father is incarcerated for a violent crime throughout her childhood and the mother who raised her as a single parent. Oh, but it is so much more.
This searingly honest book captures the complexity of families and our relationships within them. This memoir recounts an imperfect life in an imperfect family with both kindness and honesty. Ashley speaks of her parents and grandmother with love, striking the delicate balance of treating them not as heroes nor as villains.
Ford's writing is akin to that of Roxane Gay, managing to be both poetic and accessible. Simply fabulous. I cannot give it enough stars.
Listen to the audiobook if you can; hearing the memoir in the author's voice makes it that much more convincing.
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Child abuse
kriskelly's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Mental illness, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death
ttidman's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
yilliun's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Rape, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault
pamelaaaa's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
corvingreene's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse
afloodofbooks's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death and Rape
mgautreaux's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
ivi_reads_books's review against another edition
4.0
She takes us back in time and into her head to different points in time of her life. From her troubled childhood into her early adult years figuring out how to navigate life. She tells her story with compassion without making excuses. I was very moved by her book
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, and Pregnancy