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209th out of 744 books
—
3,778 voters
The Chinaberry Tree
by
Lauren Alexander (Goodreads Author)
Paperback, 236 pages
Published
November 22nd 2011
by Createspace
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EDITORIAL REVIEW:
The love that binds a family—and the hidden fissures that fracture it—are revealed in this haunting memoir.
In some ways Alexander’s Irish Catholic family is a picture of strength and longevity; her parents never divorced and raised three daughters and a son without glaring dysfunctions. But there were sharp heartaches during her childhood in Corpus Christi, Texas, including a stillbirth. And there were more muted conflicts, the author writes, between “[m]y mother, ill-equipped...more
The love that binds a family—and the hidden fissures that fracture it—are revealed in this haunting memoir.
In some ways Alexander’s Irish Catholic family is a picture of strength and longevity; her parents never divorced and raised three daughters and a son without glaring dysfunctions. But there were sharp heartaches during her childhood in Corpus Christi, Texas, including a stillbirth. And there were more muted conflicts, the author writes, between “[m]y mother, ill-equipped...more
The Chinaberry Tree is an exceptional and stirring memoir. It’s as if Lauren Alexander spent much of her life taking snapshots of her family at various times, some incidental and some significant, and translated them into very artful poetic prose vignettes. Memoirs often expose how dreadful life has been for the author. The Chinaberry Tree goes much deeper, illustrating the unguarded moments in life that shape one’s future as well. Although the book is nonfiction, the words are as craftily chose...more
The memories and experiences Lauren describes in The Chinaberry Tree may differ from other's in the details but I believe the feelings and emotions reading the book evokes are universal. The words she chose to describe her memories are lovely, lyrical - and revealing. Highly recommended!
Spellbinding prose. The innocence and joy of childhood and the raw emotions of growing into the starkness of adulthood stirred some long forgotten feelings. It was a book hard to put down.
This book grabbed me. I laughed and cried my way to the end. A poignant drama.
Jan 08, 2012
Tom
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An easy book to read about a difficult subject. An unusual memoir that's not about blame.
No two families are identical but you will find something familiar in this powerful book. It breaks new ground for memoirs.
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Lauren Alexander, the author of CHOICES 86,400 a day and THE CHINABERRY TREE, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois with High Distinction in the English Honors Program before earning a law degree at the University of Mississippi School of Law. Following law practice and a federal court clerkship, she returned to her literary roots. She lives in Oxford, Mississippi with her husb...more
More about Lauren Alexander...
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“A broken heart is not a metaphor.
And it sickens everyone in the room.”
—
3 people liked it
And it sickens everyone in the room.”
“When something happens, no matter how ordinary,there comes a time when it will never happen again.”
—
3 people liked it
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