Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford

52 reviews

cottagecorecabbage's review

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Cancer, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Abortion and Racism

crybabybea's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

4.5

A thoughtful, intimate look at the complexity of human relationships, especially of those closest to us. Ashley C. Ford's writing is pensive and poignant as she details how her childhood experiences shaped the way she views the people she loves, as well as how she views herself. I found the writing to be incredibly human and I found myself relating to much of her story despite its differences. 

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.

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Content Warnings

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

plantonic_friendships's review against another edition

dark reflective tense slow-paced

4.25

All in all, I enjoyed the memoir. She's a fantastic writer. Her relationship with her parents, mother in particular, and family is relatable. I for one and the daughter who left home and rarely comes home. Not estranged but not close, especially enough to fully understand things like my brothers' sadnesses and such. Or how calls with my mom sometimes are jovial "hello MOTHER" to "Hey, don't make it seem as if we don't have happy times".

I think the lead was buried and once we got to the lead, it never really got into the deeper introspection. Felt like she circled around the main topics and never got to the point.

The middle of the memoir has the most meat to it. The beginning and ending were strangely detached and vague to me - almost too objective.

Even in the interview she had with the other author after the acknowledgement. There are hints that she left details out to protect her family and other people in her life. Which is fair and valid, but it made the narrative kind meander and left holes in aspects of her life - like unfinished thoughts. The memoir ended up being a bit lackluster and in some aspects of trite because there were parts that felt said because it was the safer bet.

Honestly, a pitfall I myself would probably make it I wrote a memoir that could hurt and reflect poorly on those I love. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Grief, Sexual assault, and Child abuse

hannahcstocks's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Rape, Grief, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Cancer, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Physical abuse, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Gaslighting, Eating disorder, Body shaming, Stalking, Sexism, and Misogyny

Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death

caseylovett's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse and Child abuse

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Pedophilia, Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, and Animal cruelty

lipstickitotheman's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Grief, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders

zoopalsfanaccount's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence

kenzieburns's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

4.0

A lilting, hauntingly beautiful memoir that will have you itching to call your mom, hug your dad, and schedule extra therapy sessions all at once. Ford takes us through her childhood and early adult years as she navigates a challenging relationship with her emotional mother and dreams of her father's love for her from behind bars. 

Memoir is probably my favorite genre of non-fiction, likey because of the focus placed on sharing experiences through anecdotal stories and shirt reflections on such. I loved the honesty that Ford brought to this book; she tells it as it is and was, without shame and without remorse, but also offers careful reflections on everything. There were times in her story that I wanted to scream at her mother for treating young Ashley so poorly, but was always reeled back in with Ford's detailed notes on how she picked out her mother's love even in the dark moments. The part of Ford's story that most resonates with me is her flight from her childhood home, and the duality of how leaving affects her. I deeply relate to the split feeling of not doing enough by your family/loved ones, but also knowing that to fully grow into yourself, you need to leave them. It was honestly so validating to read about Ford's internal struggle and see how it reflected some of my own feelings, and I really commend her for so bravely putting her deepest secrets and "shortcomings" down in writing.

A truly beautiful and poignant study of familial relationships, sense of self, and how we all respond to the self-proclaimed "bad" inside of us.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Rape

Moderate: Toxic relationship

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness

hadsbaker's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Miscarriage

lorenag5's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Racism, Rape, Cancer, Mental illness, Misogyny, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Sexual assault