Dodging Her Chariot

by Marie Wakefield

Dodging Her Chariot is a fascinating memoir with strong writing throughout and highly developed, interesting characters. Ms. Wakefield's mother is in fact so well drawn that I felt as if I knew her myself a few chapters into the story. Protecting her siblings from a schizophrenic mother and an abusive, alcoholic stepfather was sometimes beyond her, but she determined to keep them from the circumstances that stole her own earlier childhood. If you want to find an example of strength, foresight and love, you are definitely in the right place.The author does a wondrous job of relating the many peculiar and traumatic events of her life growing up with this woman without ever coming across as overly bitter. It's almost as if she is viewing events as an outsider looking in. It's the latter that actually gives this memoir the feel of a well-plotted novel. The book's design is clean, the chapters well titled, and the cover art appropriate for the story.

226 pages, Paperback

First published July 11, 2009

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading from the first page-- this memoir hooked me in and kept me up late into the night. I actually found it in a thrift store, fascinated because it was written by a local woman, published locally. I felt that maybe since she went to the effort to publish her story, it would be something worth reading. I was correct in that this was a story needing to be told. This book rivaled one of my other favorite memoirs, The Glass Castle. Everything this girl and her siblings went through was just almost unbelievable. The writing was really good (some editing mistakes, but they really didn't bother me), and I liked how she took time occasionally to reflect on how her mother's actions were shaping her life. She was so determined to do everything the opposite, yet in some ways, she found herself following in her mother's footsteps. Patterns are so hard to break! This is only Book 1. I am so anxious to read the next part of her story. I hope to see it soon.

[Alma Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story of survival, and a desire to stay with the mother who kept giving away her children. Told with clear-eyed honesty that resists the rancor and self pity which would have been justified. I am eagerly awaiting Marie's next book to learn where life has taken this plucky survivor.