Evidence of Insanity

by carol piner

From start to finish, Evidence of Insanity, the hilarious new book by Carol Piner, is a jaw dropping, full-speed-ahead romp through the life of a girl who stares down disaster with righteous rage and prevails over her extraordinary life. Her character is someone who "dances shamelessly" through a maelstrom of events that would bring a man down, but she bounces back and keeps going. This is an amazing story that will leave you both laughing and crying at the same time. Do not pick it up late at night or you will be reading until two to three in the morning. And, do not give your copy to a friend. You probably won't get it back. One reader called this book a, "Pitch Perfect Telling of a Timeless Story". She was so very right. One reader has carried this book 6,000 miles. So far.

340 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

Reviews

[Carol Piner · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish, reading Evidence of Insanity is a jaw dropping, full-speed-ahead romp through the life of one hilarious female. She is someone that "dances shamelessly through all that life can throw at her". She fought her way from and to poverty two to three times and kept on trying. She majored in and mastered the art of kicking ass, "having at it" and hissy fit, and relished in the fact that her Mama told her it was ok. Her depictions of her childhood take hold of our hearts as we travel back and forth from hilarious to heart-rending tragedy. Before we have time to catch our breath on the way down, she works us back up the scale. No one has every had such an ability to sling us into a maelstrom; laughing at the time. Her episodes with friendly and not so friendly ghosts leave you wondering if they do exist; you are certainly left believing they might.

Between the laughing and the crying you realize the author's ability to love is intense...and deeply loyal. Her experiences with her animals take you right into her heart. You feel her love and pain as if you were standing beside her. She makes you a part of her book and you do not want to break free; not even to eat. You begin to wonder what it must be like to be able to feel so intently and express it so openly and honestly. Then, there is the moment when you know what a curse it must be when things begin to go wrong as they so often do. The character portrayal of herself is so strong it's like you have met her in person. You can even see her in your mind. It is next to impossible to put this book down. When you finally set it aside, you cannot wait to pick it up again. For those of you who are interested, she painted the image on the cover. Signed copies are available from the author by emailing her at sunny@clis.com

5.0 out of 5 stars Evidence of Insanity, August 3, 2010


A jaw-dropping, funny memoir (embellished), you will find this book a "wild ride". Fast paced, this story-teller amazes you with tales of her disastrous life and how she came out of it on the other side, still laughing. You have to experience her Mama ramming her Daddy's Cadillac at Buff Chapman's Texaco, which left the seven month old fetus in the womb cheering her on, although the child born shortly after had a slightly squash head. Do not miss her Daddy's confrontation with Wilson, the family ghost. Oh, and the roller-skate slinging Hurricane Hazel and the air conditioner slinging Hurricane Floyd have their moments, too. All-in-all, a rousing good time. Here are what other people had to say:

Reviewer: Jessica Coleman
Location: Tulsa, OK

(1) Evidence of Insanity introduces its reader to a small town family, with all of its dysfunction in tow. Callie, instantly lovable, tells life like it is. Unashamed of what her family perceives as normal, Callie gives readers an amusing account of her childhood; and boy is it entertaining. From a philandering father to the ghost who just needs to get to the bathroom, you will never be bored.

Reviewer: Natilee Parks
Location: Chatham,NC

(2) The characters in Evidence of Insanity jump off the page and into your heart, especially the children. You will fall in love with Anna and her mismatched brood of five, while developing contempt for "big Daddy." In the opening, we get a glimpse into a family that is far from perfect, but isn't ashamed of who and what they are. This story takes small town life and makes it accessible to readers from all walks of life, which will enjoy "growing up" with Callie and her siblings.

Reviewer: Monique Paytee
Location: Macon, GA

3) Evidence of Insanity is a beautiful piece in its simplicity. Following the stream of conscious from Callie, readers learn what it's like to grow up in a small Southern town where men are considered kings and can do no wrong. Does this stop Anna from punishing her "king" publicly? No, and it paints a laugh out loud picture of one woman who doesn't take being cheated on lightly. Convinced she was aware from the womb; Callie takes her audience on a journey through a childhood full of emotional twists and entertaining turns..

Reviewer: Stacy Daniels
Location: Macon, GA

(4) Evidence of Insanity left me wanting more! I was caught up in the life of a spit-fire young lady and her family. Anna, and her five children will touch your heart, make you laugh and bring you along for a glimpse into how one family sticks together no matter what. You aren't just merely reading a story; you're taking part in the lives of Callie and her siblings. I found myself cheering them on as they made their "walk to the water," and laughed out loud at the story of Callie's birth.

Reviewer: Linda Shanks
Location: Greenville, NC

(5) Insanity is described as: repeating the same action over and over expecting a different result. In Evidence of Insanity the father does just that, and is continually rewarded with the same consequences. Ever amusing to Callie and her siblings, he continues his cheating only to have his wife prove over and over that it is unacceptable. With its cheating father, ghost in the bathroom, accident prone lead character and her loveable siblings Evidence of Insanity keeps you entertained through and through.

Reviewer: Mark Stephens
Location: Brentwood, PA

(6) Set in a typical Southern small town, Evidence of Insanity gives its readers plenty to think about. Entertaining stories of childhood mishaps woven with the heartbreaking reality of growing up with parents who spend a lot of time angry at each other leave you rooting for Callie, her siblings and their mother. Characters are well written and introduced to readers in such a way that you immediately form opinions and take sides, and the battle is entertaining to the very end.

Reviewer: Todd Welks
Location: Munhall, PA

(7) Why suffer from insanity, when you can take it and "run with it, it might be fun?" Callie, the lead character from Evidence of Insanity does just that. Aware of her insane family as early as in the womb, Callie decides to enjoy life to its fullest. Along with her parents and four siblings, Callie lives in a small town complete with tracks that run across Main Street. Oblivious to small town chatter, or maybe just unconcerned with it, Callie and her family will touch your heart and definitely remind you of "characters" in your own family and life.

Reviewer: Laquita Simmons
Location: Coolidge, GA

(8) The internal dialogue of Evidence of Insanity put a smile on my face. Callie presents her everyday life in a straightforward manner that only a child can get away with; complete honesty. Absolutely unconcerned with what is normal or what other people think of her and her family, she soldiers on enjoying every minute of her young life. Knowing that God gave her a gift of life and that she is her mother's daughter makes her lucky. Well written and thoroughly engaging, Evidence of Insanity entertained me to the very end.

Reviewer: Asia Karzai
Location: Canada

(9) Utterly entertaining and completely believable, Evidence of Insanity takes a peek into the life of a typical small town family complete with good times and skeletons in the closet. Well, maybe their skeletons aren't in a closet, but out in the open for the whole town to see and talk about. You won't feel sorry for this crew though; instead you will laugh at their mishaps and enjoy every minute of this fast paced story.

Reviewer: Tammy Wilson
Location: Adams, MS

(10) What is "normal"? Evidence of Insanity shows us that while we may not be "normal" who is, and who
decided you were supposed to be that way? Born into a dysfunctional family and convinced she's a
little crazy herself; the main character decides to enjoy her life anyway. Quick witted and full of life,
Callie lets you in on her secret thoughts without fear. Enjoy this fresh look into the life of a young girl
growing up and accepting herself and those around her for exactly what they are: flawed and beautiful.

[Susan Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Derrick Jensen once said, “Writing is really very easy. Tap a vein and bleed onto the page.” Carol Piner has taken this concept and run with it in her memoir, “Evidence of Insanity”.

Right from the beginning of the book, where fetus Carol describes her low-down, philandering father and her spunky, no holds barred, pregnant mama duking it out at a local gas station I was hooked and ready for a wild ride. And what a ride it was! I was able to immerse myself completely in the lives of Carol, and her hardworking, struggling working-class Southern friends and family. I found myself reading long into the night while rooting for Carol to find herself some peace and happiness.

As a woman who has made some less than ideal choices in my own life, I could easily identify with some of the issues Carol faced over the decades. It takes guts to open your heart and expose your life so candidly for the entire world to see. Raised in a chaotic household, it seemed as though Ms. Piner was destined to continue living in chaos, particularly when it came to her intimate relationships - I truly got this and never once questioned her choices. Far be it for me to judge the decisions of anyone else. We all do the best we can with what we are handed.

Carol Piner’s spunkiness bordered on snarky, but not quite. She’s clearly a no-nonsense kinda gal. I would liked to have seen her come to her senses sooner with regards to some of the deadbeat men she seemed to attract, but again, I understood it. I found myself thinking, “I could definitely be friends with this woman!”

I’d like to see a re-edit and re-format done, as the typos and a few formatting issues were a tad jarring at times. However, I can truthfully say this did not get in the way of the true message of “Evidence of Insanity”. Carol’s writing is open, honest, touching, funny, warm and wonderful. Her heart wrenching descriptions of the losses she suffered over the years goes to show the depths of her feelings - there’s much more than a pint-sized dynamo here. I was brought to tears more than once. The ending is truly awe-inspiring and uplifting.

I would definitely recommend “Evidence of Insanity” for anyone who enjoys memoirs. It certainly proves what I’ve been saying for a very long time - EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL. Carol Piner’s story is one that’s not to be missed!

eBook Review Gal received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Vonnie Faroqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yee HA!

In an age when everything is whitewashed for political correctness or proclaimed as abusive then psychoanalyzed sagely by folk of privilege, Evidence of Insanity is an unapologetic, knock-down-drag-out hilarious romp through the author, Carol Piner’s, memory of life in Morehead, Carteret County, North Carolina and beyond. She begins by setting the scene of those early years in Morehead by sharing that, “Talk . . . was our biggest industry . . . Low down, dirty, mean mouth kind of talking. Of course, it was all true, but let’s forget that for a moment and move on.” Piner isn’t shy about spinning the yarn of her life, boldly exposing herself, her neighbors, family and relationships for their inglorious humanity. She does so by washing laughter over all, as she out-truths the gossip mongers in this “tell all” book.

Piner describes her early self best when she writes “Think of me as a small Scarlet O’Hara. A grimy at all times Scarlet, but her nonetheless.” An apt description as time and again she faces the cruelties of life with stubborn determination and tenacity but above all else, humor. Evenhanded but merciless in her commentary, she holds nothing back when it comes to self analysis or her assessment of people and circumstances.

Evidence of Insanity, reveals as much about the strength and courage, pride and perseverance to be found in womankind as it does about Piner’s life. If you have painful memories of childhood or traumas that you just can’t seem to let go of, an hour reading Evidence of Insanity will slap the self pity right out of you, and leave you humbled but ready to go on living, a little freer for the reality check.

The colorful goings-on related in the pages of her memoirs paint, with all the soul and rich southern flavor a body could desire, one of the best depictions of rural life America that I have ever read. Evidence of Insanity is surely aptly named. Fried Green Tomatoes and the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, have nothing on the Yee-HAs of Carteret County.

[Jenny Kalahar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Evidence of Insanity is an experience! This should be held up as one of the best examples of self-publishing and why it absolutely needs to exist. This book might never have been put out by one of the major publishers, but I'm not even upset about that. Undoubtedly they would have edited it to death and they certainly would have cut out its beating heart and stomped its throbbing, squalling soul dead flat. Because it was independently published this book is left raw and bleeding, intact and glorious and horrible and wonderful and funny and astonishing!
Take your mental knife and fork to Evidence of Insanity and be prepared to eat a transporting meal in a lightning-flash of changing courses. Sure, you can go to one of those dull chain restaurants, or even a fancy shrimp-fork place, but you know what you'll get? Something you've eaten a thousand times before. Your tongue would fall asleep if you didn't keep on chewing. Well, this book serves up its dinner in a back-roads, rambling, Southern, only-the-locals-know-about-it joint. They keep it secret for their own reasons, but don't keep Carol Piner's book a secret! Shout it out, brothers and sisters, `cause her literary food is where it's at! It will make you cry in one spoonful and yee-haa! the next! It's spiced with fantastic stuff you've never heard of. It's greasy and high-calorie and probably pretty bad for your waistline, but you won't care. This book is rough and gritty, sweet and full-bodied, emotional, heartbreaking, enlightening and as wild as hellcats drag-racing down a hot, midnight road. And I love it. I love it!

[Geraldine Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evidence of Insanity by Carol Piner is a zany, wildly unpredictable journey through a North Carolina girlhood. Hang on to your hats for a roller-coaster ride.

Shakespeare's "Love's Labours Lost" might be an apt description of this compelling tragi-comedy. Born to a couple who, although madly unsuited to parenthood, disregard the plentiful evidence and go on to add to their family at regular intervals, Carol and her many siblings, survive the rough and tumble of an upbringing marred by repeated paternal infidelity, by fights, lies, violence, drunkenness and regular visits from the police.

Unsurprisingly, she becomes a troubled woman, suspicious of the motives of others, wary and flirtatious, in turn, with men, who mostly let her down.

This poignant, sad, comic and often sensitively-told tale, reveals the strength of the human spirit through all the adversity life can throw at it. It is an astonishingly accomplished début that drew me in even when I felt like retreating from these shambolic lives. Read it and you'll see what I mean.

[Elle Klass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evidence of Insanity is the perfect name for Carol Piner’s book. It is an autobiographical narrative that was more than hilarious and brutally honest. Growing up on the shores of North Carolina where there really isn’t much to do with a father who cheats and a mom who puts her foot down and refuses to take it. The divorce sends her mother spiraling into alcoholism and the children one by one packing up to live with dad and his new wife. She has a deep dislike for her father but the most respect for her mother who is something of a spitfire.

The author’s sarcastic tone even in the face of adversity and poverty is what truly makes this book comical. Heartbreaking situations fill this novel but instead of tears of sadness I had tears of laughter. Her tone really set the stage and gives the reader not just a glimpse of who the author is but a brilliant full color HD picture. Somehow she always manages to come out on top and hold true to principles in life that are important to her.

A read no one should pass up!

[Patrick Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Evidence of Insanity' by Carol Piner is the raw and vivid life story about a Southern woman, from her childhood into her sixties. Although the occurrences in this book were based on actual events, there were many embellishments for 'added impact'. Nonetheless, it was very entertaining and easy to read.

From her colourful and incredibly dysfunctional family to all her trials and tribulations throughout her life, Carol's story-telling is honest and humorous. The artwork on the front cover (painted by Carol herself - a combination of her mama and two other women she met) is a great representation of the book and a lot of its messed up adventures. If you think you've been through a lot of crap in your life, reading this book will make you reflect on and possibly reconsider your past.

A fun and easy read, I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story.

[Karen Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very personal narrative, that reaches out to touch the reader with a brutally honest, powerful and unique voice from the start.
Evidence of Insanity is written in the stream-of-consciousness style – a brave choice in my opinion, as is starting the first person narrative from within the womb, yet Carol Piner makes it work, and work well.

I love to read a book that takes me to places I haven't been before, and Evidence of Insanity not only does that, but makes Carteret County almost tangible (even to a Brit who has not yet travelled to the US). With a self-deprecating humour and extremely honest, detailed and piquant observations, Carol Piner leads her readers through her challenging and eventful childhood of violence and a wide variety of hurricanes – her mama being one force of nature, and Little Callie herself being another.

Then – college and men, a cheating and cowardly brother (I don't want to give away spoilers, but the way she deals with him through his car is priceless), and tragedy – a pattern that continues through to later life.

Make yourself comfortable, because Carol Piner sure won't, and prepare to delve into the depths of an unsettled life and family. Alternately shocking, disturbing and poignant, the author nonetheless had me laughing out loud – usually due to Little Callie's descriptions, reactions and especially her attitude. I didn't see evidence of insanity but of strong character and a hard life well lived, and I am full of admiration for the way Callie picks herself up and gets on with it, no matter how momentous the disaster. I could not put Evidence of Insanity down and savoured every word. You will too.

[Robin Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, heartwarming, heart-searching, this is a tale of survival through a dysfunctional childhood and an almost inevitably fraught adulthood strewn with relationships that sometimes worked and often didn’t. There is “evidence of insanity” but also of sanity in the face of odds that could easily have crushed anyone less indomitable.
Callie derives her strength and values from her mother: using humour and anger to deal with often terrible circumstances, and freely admitting that such childhood experiences can turn you into an adrenalin junkie: getting high on fear, risk and potential/actual violent confrontation; but she is also acutely responsive to beauty and truth, and to virtues displayed more by her pets than by many of the deeply damaged human beings she has found herself dealing with along the way – herself included (she does at one point refer to herself as “a chaos magnet”).
Her mother was the major formative influence in her life. In spite of overwhelming odds, she taught her how to love, to dress, to have a strong moral sense and how to stand up for your damn self every time the world tries another of its many ways to crush your spirit and grind your face in the dirt. “Evidence of Insanity” is a testament to personal identity, heroic struggle, tremendous courage, and doing right by those you love the most.
Well written in a witty, free-flowing, anecdotal style, I found it a moving tribute both to Carol and to her mama, warts and all. I thoroughly recommend it. It will make you laugh, cry, smile, wonder, shake your head at times, and will help you get your own life into perspective.

[Lacy Spenser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fireworks on the 4th of July have nothing on this book.....A story of intense love, hate, passion and deceit. The author is a master at picking you up and dropping you into a whirling storm of emotions. Just when you think things are calming down, here comes a tsunami!

Our hero....and she is one, is loving,brilliant, hardworking and surrounded by some of the biggest roadblocks that any human could pose. Friends you can kick to the curb when they steamroll over you (though her did keep making a return visit), family will continue to chew on you till little is left......those are the most painful scars.

She lays herself open and raw with her devotion to her beloved animals and the almost unbearable grief that she felt at their loss. She has been bombarded by the intense betrayal of her humans and the inevitable loss due to time, by her animals. She is a strong woman....she picks up and moves forward.

You won't be able to put it down but don't know if you should stay up all night reading. As for me...I am going to read it again!

[Benedict Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Where to begin? This book is a telling of a very colorful life, written in a folksy prose that will make you feel as though it is being told to you in person rather than from the pages a book. And boy, what a ride. The first section of the book is written from the point of view of a child. Those early years are all excitement and energy. It isn't necessarily pretty; Carol Piner's childhood was a difficult one, yet she manages to describe everything with such humor you'll find yourself laughing at even the most difficult situations.

And it's the same with her adult life. There's so much pain and heartache there, but her never give up attitude, coupled with her delightful sense of humor makes for some truly wonderful stories.

This was an excellent read. I can't recommend it enough.

[Wolf Schimanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the toughest projects I have ever undertaken because I seldom read and never review autobiographies. But I made a promise and I keep promises. It was almost surreal reading this book because I really felt like I was intruding on someones life I had no business to intrude on. I still feel that way. But then Carol would not have put it all out there if she did not want us to, right? A totally fascinating and riveting story. It's her life after all. Everyone has one and Carol had the courage and desire to share it with everyone and so eloquently at that. I hope life is a lot gentler and kinder to her now...but then again maybe an Evidence 2 is in the works. Bravo !

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I liked the depth of the story and I appreciated the family pictures and personal stories. I am from the same area of NC and I could relate to this book first hand. It made me laugh, cry, and grit my teeth. The writing style is a little choppy but you get used to it and the storyline is well worth the adjustment. I highly recommend this especially to other Eastern North Carolinians.

[Rebecca Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carol Piner wrote with such energy I found myself rushing to keep up with her thoughts! This stream of consciousness journey through a life of tragedy shouldn't be funny--but it is! And poignant, too! One sentence (of many) that hit me was, "I didn't get it when people only see one side of someone and work their damn hardest to make sure it's the wrong side." Keep writing, Carol!~