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Generally I save five stars for books I want to read again and this one was so terrifying and then so triumphant, it will be one I want to reread in a few years. As this childhood memoir progresses for the author and her siblings, their teenage escapes reminded me of another 2005 memoir about teens taking matters into their own hands, Afschineh Latifi's Even After All This Time: A Story of Love, Revolution, and Leaving Iran. Yet in this book, the parents, though not physically abusive, are so cr
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This is the unforgettable true story of Jeannette Walls experience growing up. Her family is unique and completely crazy and amazing at the same time. I wondered the whole time how each child managed to survive their childhood physically and mentally intact. I would label this book memorable, shocking, funny, inspiring, sad and extraordinary. To view my complete book review please visit my blog post at:
http://www.booksnob-booksnob.blogspot... ...more
http://www.booksnob-booksnob.blogspot... ...more

Coming from a stable background, it's somewhat difficult for me to let go of the sense that I'm rubber-necking Walls's life and somehow exploiting the hardships of her history. But what ultimately lifts you out of that state is the continuing thread that no matter the depth of the exceptionally poor decisions her parents made, there remains a bond of affection that can never quite die. That she's able to look back and see the positive sides of her tumultuous childhood as well as the negative is
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Resilience that's all I can say.
It sure was an easy reading ... turn pager. Few times, I went and reread the back of the book, just to make sure it really was a true story. When in a rut ...well after reading this book, I believe I got it easy.
Excellent. ...more
It sure was an easy reading ... turn pager. Few times, I went and reread the back of the book, just to make sure it really was a true story. When in a rut ...well after reading this book, I believe I got it easy.
Excellent. ...more

Sep 16, 2008
grace
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