I had somehow never gotten around to reading a book that I knew was an "icon" in the genre it seemed to create (the grown-child-tell-all-about-abuse-from-mom-or-dad book). Some scattered moments of great narrative (e.g., opening chapter at the funeral home, description of "night raids," etc.) mixed in with less inspired writing -- but always a compelling tale. Even if it is true (but yet unproven) that Christina Crawford embellished the story (as she is accused), this recounting of parental abuse is gripping and serves a purpose in alerting others to such behavior.