A review by mmarlborough
Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

4.0

This was my book club pick! It had been awhile since a memoir had been chosen and this sounded moving. I had also heard Ford talk on unladylikemedia podcast and found her very captivating. I always love a memoir by someone who’s life experience is so different than my own. 

The synopsis of this memoir fixates on Ashley’s relationship with her incarcerated father but this is just a small piece of this coming of age memoir. We learn about Ashley growing up poor within a fractured and abusive family, yet loving (if that makes any sense.) We are on a journey with her through puberty, self acceptance and growth. 

I really enjoyed Ford’s writing and look forward to her future work (I can’t believe this is a debut!) I will say that because this book is so short, it felt a little unfinished to me. I wanted more exploration on various points and relationships in her life (like her Father, her ex, and her husband.) Due to the brevity of the memoir, it made some of the transitions a little clunky IMO. But overall I’m glad I read this memoir and it was eye opening and thought provoking. 

⚠️Trigger Warning: Child Abuse, Rape, Pedophilia, Racist Micro-aggressions 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings