A review by erika_reynolds20
Upper Bohemia: A Memoir by Hayden Herrera

3.0

Upper Bohemia is a memoir detailing the childhood of Hayden Herrera and her sister, Blair. Born to artistic parents who were more concerned with their own pleasure than raising children, Hayden and Blair spent their youth traveling between various relatives, countries, and schools. While the girls were often sent away to boarding schools so their parents could focus on their various spouses and partners (each were married 5 times), Hayden doesn’t look back on her childhood with anger. The tone of this book reminds me a lot of Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle. Neither author is wrapped up in the emotion of a childhood plagued by unstable parents; instead, they both recall their upbringing in a manner that lets the reader make their own judgments.

Hayden’s life story is interesting, but I felt she spent too much time providing details into her family’s history that were not necessary for understanding the book or her experiences. In fact, it was a little rough to get through the first 3-4 chapters. After that, the book takes off in the best way. Hayden is very matter of fact in her writing, which I appreciate. The language isn’t flowery, but she does a wonderful job of providing just enough details of her life in Mexico to keep anyone unfamiliar with the culture along for the ride. The ending felt very abrupt, though. I didn’t realize I was on the last chapter, and had it not been for the postscript, the ending would have been very anticlimactic. The postscript is a nice touch that gives some insight into Hayden and Blair’s adult lives, but I didn’t feel satisfied with the last chapter of their childhood. Overall, this is a unique life story that is worth reading.

Thank you to Net Galley and Simon & Schuster Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.