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kt1987 's review for:
A Piece of Cake
by Cupcake Brown
Imagine your mother dies when you are 11.
Now imagine you're the one who finds her dead in your home.
Now imagine that a judge rules you cannot live with your dad, but must instead live with your birth father (who you never knew existed) who immediately takes you to a foster home where you are physically and emotionally abused. Imagine running away and living on the streets, surviving on turning tricks and stealing. Remember, you're still 11. Oh, and don't forget the pot and booze. Or being raped by your foster mother's nephew.
Imagine joining a gang in South Central LA. Imagine seeing your homies shot and killed. Imagine taking part in a drive-by of a rival gang - you're firing one of the guns.
Think this is crazy? Imagine being addicted to not only pot and booze but crack, cocaine, pills, heroin, anything that's free. Imagine stealing and lying to pay your rent in a rat-infested apartment you share with your abusive husband. Don't remember getting married? That's because you blacked out.
Sounds crazy, right? But here's where things really get interesting.
Imagine finally realizing you have a problem and, after living behind a dumpster for days, telling your boss that you are an addict and need help. Imagine going to rehab and starting a 12-step recovery program. Imagine facing your feelings - fears, thoughts, hopes, dreams, insecurities - for the first time in over 10 years. Imagine going back to college in your late 20s and then being accepted into law school. Not only that, but you graduate near the top of your class in law school and practice at a major firm. All the while you've been sober, happy, and alive.
Sounds crazy, right? But that's Cupcake Brown's life.
I was so absorbed in this memoir - Brown's writing is so detailed and really sucks you into her story and her life. At points this memoir seems almost unrealistic because the thought of someone turning to prostitution and credit card fraud seems so insane (let alone all the other crimes and horrific situations told in this book). Could a person really resort to these means of survival? But when you're so addled on drugs and so far removed from what a life of respect from yourself and others could be like... well, yes. But that's where humanity, trust in God and belief in yourself can lift you into a better place and a place of self-respect and love.
This was such an interesting, eye-opening and inspiring memoir that shows how any situation can be overcome if you just have faith in yourself and others and believe in your capabilities. A truly inspiring read, and an intensely interesting memoir.
Now imagine you're the one who finds her dead in your home.
Now imagine that a judge rules you cannot live with your dad, but must instead live with your birth father (who you never knew existed) who immediately takes you to a foster home where you are physically and emotionally abused. Imagine running away and living on the streets, surviving on turning tricks and stealing. Remember, you're still 11. Oh, and don't forget the pot and booze. Or being raped by your foster mother's nephew.
Imagine joining a gang in South Central LA. Imagine seeing your homies shot and killed. Imagine taking part in a drive-by of a rival gang - you're firing one of the guns.
Think this is crazy? Imagine being addicted to not only pot and booze but crack, cocaine, pills, heroin, anything that's free. Imagine stealing and lying to pay your rent in a rat-infested apartment you share with your abusive husband. Don't remember getting married? That's because you blacked out.
Sounds crazy, right? But here's where things really get interesting.
Imagine finally realizing you have a problem and, after living behind a dumpster for days, telling your boss that you are an addict and need help. Imagine going to rehab and starting a 12-step recovery program. Imagine facing your feelings - fears, thoughts, hopes, dreams, insecurities - for the first time in over 10 years. Imagine going back to college in your late 20s and then being accepted into law school. Not only that, but you graduate near the top of your class in law school and practice at a major firm. All the while you've been sober, happy, and alive.
Sounds crazy, right? But that's Cupcake Brown's life.
I was so absorbed in this memoir - Brown's writing is so detailed and really sucks you into her story and her life. At points this memoir seems almost unrealistic because the thought of someone turning to prostitution and credit card fraud seems so insane (let alone all the other crimes and horrific situations told in this book). Could a person really resort to these means of survival? But when you're so addled on drugs and so far removed from what a life of respect from yourself and others could be like... well, yes. But that's where humanity, trust in God and belief in yourself can lift you into a better place and a place of self-respect and love.
This was such an interesting, eye-opening and inspiring memoir that shows how any situation can be overcome if you just have faith in yourself and others and believe in your capabilities. A truly inspiring read, and an intensely interesting memoir.