Harrie Rose (Author of Therapy, A Novel)

Harrie Rose is now friends with Dorothea

Harrie Rose gave

to:

The Language of Trees
by Ilie Ruby (Goodreads Author)

read in November, 2010

My rating:

I'm divided about this book. On the on hand, it is a smoothly written love story that people who love love stories will love. On the other hand, it is based upon Seneca Indian lore, and loaded with mythical people, supernatural healings, portents, si...more

Harrie Rose gave

to:

Musical Chairs
by Jen Knox (Goodreads Author)

read in October, 2010

My rating:

Jennifer Knox's memoir of her childhood, her runaway adolescence, and her eventual re-entry into the middle class world she so emphatically fled from makes for a moving and vivid read. Her utter truthfulness leaps off the pages. She cuts herself no s...more Jennifer Knox's memoir of her childhood, her runaway adolescence, and her eventual re-entry into the middle class world she so emphatically fled from makes for a moving and vivid read. Her utter truthfulness leaps off the pages. She cuts herself no slack. Makes no excuses. Yes, she strip danced. Yes, she was an alchoholic. Yes, she was a dropout. She examines herself with a refreshing candor. No whiny, poor little me begging the reader to forgive her. She did what she did. She blames nobody else for her own behavior. In my eyes, it may have been foolish, but it wasn't evil or even bad. It was being young.

She doesn't claim that her her mother's alchoholism lead to her being a runaway, although she does acknowledges her mother's problem. What is amazing is that, even as a young teenager, she doesn't look down on her mother because of her problems. She accepts and loves her mother for who she is. Jen Knox thankfully, doesn't blame her mother for her own lapses. She makes no excuses. So refreshing in a culture devoted to never owning up to one's own mistakes, always laying them on society or parents.

She does have more of a problem with her father. But, again, I got no feeling that she excuses herself by blaming him. Nor does she hate him or deride him. He is what he is. In fact, he is like a lot of men: they have to be right. Her parents, clearly decent people at heart, latr inspired her in her rehabilitation, as did other members of her family.

This doesn't mean that others made her reform. Her insights are her own. Her life changes were self motivated. She comes through as a strong and good person who went astray, but found the right path for herself. She is a writer, editor, and writing tutor, and an independent, self-reliant woman.

The memoir is inspiring, especially because Knox writes so vividly. She describes every scene so that you see it as if it were a movie. She is an excellent writer with an eye for the memorable image, for things like the feel of makeup on the skin. Here is one example, taken at random:
"I moved beyond Barry, who was now lighting a cigarette and told him goodbye. I'm sorry, Barry, I just have to leave. I don't feel good about all this.
He pulled out a flask, but I shook my head and brushed past him. One of the heels on my shoes had broken off. I was a ghetto Cinderella, hobbling back toward the pumpkin after getting the shit kkicked out of her. I too both shoes off and threw them toward the bus stop from the door..."

When she reconnects with her mother, she says, "Irony isn't always funny, though it is often noteworthy." And thus she introduces the ironic situation of her mother, now a counselor at a drug and alcohol center, helped her through her own addiction just as Jen had helped her mother years before when she was addicted.

Unlike most memoirs, rather than constantly saying, "I did this, and then I did that" Jen Knox re-creates the actual conversations that took place in all situations. The effect is almost like a novel--except that it's not fiction. These things really happened. She really did these things, said these things, thought them. Her love for her family should be inspiring for people dealing with their own rebellious teens. Eventually, they come back to the wellspring. To family.

Highly recommended.(less)

Harrie Rose became a fan of Goodreads Author Jennifer Chase

Harrie Rose made a comment on her review of Therapy, A Novel

"I agree with you, but I certainly know of cases where it has happened, I've had psychiatrists tell me how their patients try to seduce them, etc. I ev...more "

Harrie Rose gave

to:

The Whole World Over
by Julia Glass

read in September, 2010

My rating:

Very good story. Keeps you interested the whole way through

Harrie Rose gave

to:

The Know-it-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World
by A.J. Jacobs

read in September, 2010

My rating:

Very funny and enjoyable.

Harrie Rose made a comment in the group Tips for Self Promotion, Sales, and Advertising — Clicking on Amazon topic

"Cindy wrote: "Thanks for this, so we shouldn't post an Amazon link to our title, but a link to us as authors and then people need to click that link t...more "

Harrie Rose made a comment in the group Tips for Self Promotion, Sales, and Advertising — How to hit #1 on Amazon... topic

"I'll click on your book. Allison Bowzer, head of Marketing on Create/Space, Amazon's self-publishing says it's most important to have people click on...more "

Harrie Rose made a comment in the group Tips for Self Promotion, Sales, and Advertising — Cliicking on Amazon to the top topic

"Allison Bowzer,the Marketing Director of Amazon's self-publishing told me yesterday that the best way to get your book on top is to have people click...more "

Harrie's Bookshelves

Harrie's Friends (17)

Harrie's Fans (8)

Harrie Rose

Goodreads author profile

8 posts
Harrie Rose's Blog

combine editions
Books by Harrie Rose

Upcoming Events

rss
Harrie's Recent Updates

recent posts
Harrie's Groups

view all 1
Harrie Rose's favorite authors

Harrie's Friend Comments

Flag Abuse

Harrie Rose is now friends with Dorothea
Jan 25, 2011 05:51pm
Harrie Rose gave to: The Language of Trees by Ilie Ruby (Goodreads Author) read in November, 2010	My rating:
I'm divided about this book. On the on hand, it is a smoothly written love story that people who love love stories will love. On the other hand, it is based upon Seneca Indian lore, and loaded with mythical people, supernatural healings, portents, si...more
Nov 04, 2010 09:18am · see review
Harrie Rose gave to: Musical Chairs by Jen Knox (Goodreads Author) read in October, 2010	My rating:
Jennifer Knox's memoir of her childhood, her runaway adolescence, and her eventual re-entry into the middle class world she so emphatically fled from makes for a moving and vivid read. Her utter truthfulness leaps off the pages. She cuts herself no s...more
Oct 19, 2010 09:46pm · see review
Harrie Rose became a fan of Goodreads Author Jennifer Chase
Oct 19, 2010 09:00pm · all of Harrie's favorite authors
Harrie Rose made a comment on her review of Therapy, A Novel "I agree with you, but I certainly know of cases where it has happened, I've had psychiatrists tell me how their patients try to seduce them, etc. I ev...more "
Oct 17, 2010 10:17am · see review
Harrie Rose gave to: The Whole World Over by Julia Glass read in September, 2010	My rating:
Very good story. Keeps you interested the whole way through
Sep 06, 2010 08:56am · see review
Harrie Rose gave to: The Know-it-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World by A.J. Jacobs read in September, 2010	My rating:
Very funny and enjoyable.
Sep 06, 2010 08:53am · see review
Harrie Rose made a comment in the group Tips for Self Promotion, Sales, and Advertising — Clicking on Amazon topic "Cindy wrote: "Thanks for this, so we shouldn't post an Amazon link to our title, but a link to us as authors and then people need to click that link t...more "
Aug 30, 2010 12:23pm
Harrie Rose made a comment in the group Tips for Self Promotion, Sales, and Advertising — How to hit #1 on Amazon... topic "I'll click on your book. Allison Bowzer, head of Marketing on Create/Space, Amazon's self-publishing says it's most important to have people click on...more "
Aug 25, 2010 07:48am
Harrie Rose made a comment in the group Tips for Self Promotion, Sales, and Advertising — Cliicking on Amazon to the top topic "Allison Bowzer,the Marketing Director of Amazon's self-publishing told me yesterday that the best way to get your book on top is to have people click...more "
Aug 24, 2010 08:50am

Harrie Rose

Goodreads author profile

Upcoming Events

rssHarrie's Recent Updates

Flag Abuse

rss
Harrie's Recent Updates