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christielfoley 's review for:
I wanted to love this but did not.
First of all, I know wealth disparity in America is awful and real, but this book did not shed light or suggest solutions on said problem.
Maybe this is my fault for going into it with different expectations, but after reading and getting what I assume is a very clear picture into the author's life, I don't consider her or her family to be "broke".
Her family had acres of land that they sold after the Grandpa's death. Not broke. She drove her own beater car to high school. Not broke. Not buying overpriced candy at the movie theater is not a sign of being destitute. She was at a movie theater. Not broke. She only has one memory of getting breakfast at McDonald's? Uhhh... That's just a good parenting decision if you're not wasting money on McDonald's breakfast.
If I'm missing how truly "poor" they were, I feel that's not my fault. I read the book. I did find it enlightening learning how frequently the family moved or married or had unexpected pregnancies. But those are not always isolated to the broke community and if it's more common there, the author didn't really tell us why or what can be done about it.
Also she talks about how the poor can't just pick themselves up and live the American dream to go as far as they want (which I'm positive is true), but isn't that exactly what she did by going to college? Tell us why it worked for you but not the rest of your family. I'm sure there are reasons, but tell us.
She complains about the country not supporting poor people but then doesn't accept a handout of $300 from her cheerleading coach? Where are the solutions?
I'm frustrated and confused because I would like to be part of the wealth disparity solution and despite what she kept saying, I think most people know there's a class system in America, but she gave no ideas on how to do solve any of this. This felt mostly like a family history. Also, addressing the entire thing to her non-existing child didn't work for me.
I love memoirs, I feel bad ripping into this. I'm sure it's my fault due to expectations or my lense of the world, but would not recommend.
First of all, I know wealth disparity in America is awful and real, but this book did not shed light or suggest solutions on said problem.
Maybe this is my fault for going into it with different expectations, but after reading and getting what I assume is a very clear picture into the author's life, I don't consider her or her family to be "broke".
Her family had acres of land that they sold after the Grandpa's death. Not broke. She drove her own beater car to high school. Not broke. Not buying overpriced candy at the movie theater is not a sign of being destitute. She was at a movie theater. Not broke. She only has one memory of getting breakfast at McDonald's? Uhhh... That's just a good parenting decision if you're not wasting money on McDonald's breakfast.
If I'm missing how truly "poor" they were, I feel that's not my fault. I read the book. I did find it enlightening learning how frequently the family moved or married or had unexpected pregnancies. But those are not always isolated to the broke community and if it's more common there, the author didn't really tell us why or what can be done about it.
Also she talks about how the poor can't just pick themselves up and live the American dream to go as far as they want (which I'm positive is true), but isn't that exactly what she did by going to college? Tell us why it worked for you but not the rest of your family. I'm sure there are reasons, but tell us.
She complains about the country not supporting poor people but then doesn't accept a handout of $300 from her cheerleading coach? Where are the solutions?
I'm frustrated and confused because I would like to be part of the wealth disparity solution and despite what she kept saying, I think most people know there's a class system in America, but she gave no ideas on how to do solve any of this. This felt mostly like a family history. Also, addressing the entire thing to her non-existing child didn't work for me.
I love memoirs, I feel bad ripping into this. I'm sure it's my fault due to expectations or my lense of the world, but would not recommend.