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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
lipstickitotheman's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Grief, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
julieallsen79's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape and Medical content
bashsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I also greatly enjoyed the interview at the end between Ford and Clint Smith; it is always enlightening to hear great writers discuss their craft. (I may listen to that portion again after reading Smith's book, since he discusses his own word in-depth, too.)
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Rape
Moderate: Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Miscarriage
Minor: Cancer, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, and Stalking
Incarceration also comes up a lot, since the author's father is in prison for most of the book.katyannreads's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Medical content, and Sexual assault
Such a heartbreaking, raw, emotional memoir. Ashley wrote her story perfectly. This one made me super emotional.becksusername's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Physical abuse, Rape, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Cancer, and Child abuse
gtrue21's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Incest, Medical content, and Physical abuse
navayiota's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Rape, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Medical content, Pregnancy, and Racism
Minor: Alcohol and Incest
bookworm_leilani's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Stalking, and Medical content
sadieh's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Death, Medical content, Grief, Cancer, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexual content