Cry Salty Tears

by Dinah O'Dowd

Against unimaginable domestic-violence odds, Dinah O’Dowd nurtured her seven children (including a son who went on to become one of music’s biggest stars–Boy George), and to achieve freedom from that dark central figure in her life, her husband.

Genres: Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 23, 2007

Reviews

[Misha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid and obsessed Boy George fan, I was already quite familiar with Dinah O’Dowd before picking up this book. I was pleasantly surprised to have received this as a present, and was excited to get to know the woman that I had read and heard so much about in Boy George’s own autobiographies and interviews. In countless instances, Boy George regarded his mother as an inspiration and a woman who embodies the virtues of strength and courage.

After having read “Cry Salty Tears” I can confirm that that may even be an understatement.

I found this autobiography to be honest. It tells a story that speaks for many people who have gone through a similar thing. It’s a story that deserves to be continued to be shared and read. Dinah goes through many heart breaking experiences having to deal with abuse, addiction, feeling of obligation, and much more, that have you connecting with her and routing for her. Time and time again while I was reading this book I just set it down mid sentence and exclaimed to anybody present in the room how much this woman has been through!

This book made me feel as if Dinah O’Dowd was talking directly to me. I felt as if the structure of the text mimicked her thought process and processing of emotions in a way that contributed to how I related to the text. I triumphed for her, and shed tears along side her losses.

I do believe that this story might be more interesting if you are coming to it with more background knowledge, as I did. However, I also believe that anyone could come to this story and get something out of it.

[Susan Nadathur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dinah O’Dowd’s memoir is a compelling read and was most likely cathartic for her. But her “facts on file” style seemed more a chronicle of events than the evolution of the author as a person. While I do not doubt the horror of what she lived through, the emotion of it did not come across on the page. I felt like she was more interested in revealing her husband’s abuse than in processing it. I am not a fan of exposing family secrets for any and every one to read and so had trouble with some of the content of this book. I find I most enjoy memoirs where the author has found the ability to look back on the pain of the past and see it without rancor or bitterness, much like what Frank McCourt was able to do in his memoir Angela’s Ashes. That being said, I did find the overall story one of courage and resilience and wish Mrs. O’Dowd every happiness in her new life.

[Marc Clegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

dinahs brave and honest account 9f her life, and what a sad life she had.thankfully things changed.read this book few year ago when released and really enjoyed it.found it upsetting in places.and maddening in others to think that till few year ago it wasnt against the law for a man raping his wife,and outraged she didnt leave him much earlier but then having been thru an abusive. relationship and watching parents all my childhood i understand its not that easy.in some ways it kind of explains maybe why boy george is so protective of her and maybe why he had his issues.def a book worth reading esp if into memoirs have just shared this book on the fb group for other readers to enjoy. https://www.facebook.com/groups/Memoi...

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry in some places and throw the book down in others. It was completely legal to for a husband to beat and rape his wife in Britain, Ireland and the US in the 60s through the 80s. Part of me says why did she stay?, but I am an educated woman with no kids living today. Dinah did not have many choices. Boy George has some serious drug issues which he is only very recently recovering from. He can't be the only one in his family with issues. I wonder if he would have recovered earlier if not for the violent family background. It is also sad Dinah has emphysema. People don't recover from that disease.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't realise that the author was Boy George's mother when I picked this up to read.

The book would have been better had it been set out in a more chronological order rather than the memories coming to the fore that it appears mostly to be. Yes, she has had a very hard life (as have many others that ended up in a similar situation) but feel that if she hadn't been the parent of a celebrity this book would never have been written.

[Carol A Cadiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Boy George's mom's autobiography. He has been my idol since the age of 14, so I thought it would be an interesting read. It was, but in a very sad way. She had a rough life. Jerk of a husband but she raised an amazing family despite it all & put her children above everything. Having read this book, I absolutely adore his mother. Learned a few things about George too, that I didn't already know.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly I didn't realise this was boy George's mum. Secondly this book is truly amazing. For her to go to her parents and say her husband was abusing her is a big thing. Buy for her father to then turn round and say you made your bed lie in it, you will cry salty tears. this has really stuck with me. I know in the 50's, 60's this was seen and not heard. Great read from beginning to end.

[Carol Watts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read
Reminded me of an aunt who had the same sort of life with her cowardly husband

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an account of Dinah O'Dowd's (Boy George's mother) marriage to a nightmare of a man which she endured for over 40 years. I'm in awe that she survived physically and mentally and that she managed to bring up six children at the same time. It's written in a down to earth, simple and matter of fact way; she doesn't feel sorry for herself in spite of all the trauma. Upsetting subject matter but a page turner.

[Melanie Dominguez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could almost not finish it ! Sad and shocking story! I don’t know how a woman can get pregnant 5 times from such an abusive man and then stay with him. How terrible sad for the children to witness this . Being a mom of two myself, I would get away from a man like Boy George’s father as fast as I could ! Thank goodness George still turned out to be a wonderful person, his childhood must’ve been very sad and depressing

[Rubyryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author seems to be continually shocked and surprised by the behaviour of her husband. There is no revaluation and leaving. The husband was always in control and left her once she was of no use to him. Narcissist and selfish. Women are deluded sometimes ….

[Gail murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and hard to put down

[Saint Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor mom

[Nikki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty crappy book really. It glossed over all the interesting stuff and then went into too much detail on all the boring stuff and because it did not stick to chronological order in any way shape or form the result was chapters that mentioned the same things as those before and after it. So I got to read the same information that was not that interesting in the first place over and over. I am really glad I bought if for $2 at a garage sale or then I would feel a little ripped off.

[ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I bought this book I didn't realize it was a singer's mother who had written this story. I quite enjoyed the book, however for all that she went through in her abusive relationship with her brute of a husband, it came across as very matter of fact and feeling was missing. Maybe she had buried her feelings or emotions, I am not sure, but there was no pitch, power or umph in the outcome.

[Alison Gray]

Write a review...nothing great Im afraid!

[Creslyn Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

inspiring... it's worth the read!

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read and easy to get into. I was more interested to find out that this woman was Boy Georges mother!!

[Nicola Hartley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this as it was Boy Georges Mum who I am a HUGE fan on. I have read many of Boy Georges Autobiographies, so was interesting to read his Mums one. Very sad , huge respect for the woman.