Biography, Autobiography, Memoir discussion
Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir read in 2018
Mod
4 stars
The author is a physical therapist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This is a part of war that the public seldom sees or hears about. It was incredible to me to learn about how many people end up as amputees as a result of war, sometimes 3 or 4 limbs. I mean, we all know there are casualties and horrific injuries as a result of war, but we never see the rehabilitation side of it and how many there are. At this hospital when the author worked there, there were 7 therapists and they were overwhelmed with patients. I would have liked to see more case studies, instead the author seems to focus on one patient quite a bit. This book is mostly about the author and not so much on the patients. At times I thought there was too much complaining about how much her job sucked, but still an eye-opening look happens in a rehab facility for wounded veterans.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematorium
Author: Caitlin Doughty
4 Stars = It gave me much food for thought.
I really liked this book. I totally agree with the author that society needs a very deep, very honest re-think of how we approach death, and how we deal with our dead bodies. Our current 'norm' of embalming/burial, or cremation, wasn't always the norm.
We are woefully ignorant of what the law actually does require regarding a dead body ... less than you probably assume. Death used to be handled by the family, in the home, and had more significance.
You can now order a cremation online ... yep, you never have to talk to a real person, you never have to see the dead body ... someone else picks up the body, takes it to the crematorium, scoops up the ashes afterwards, and mails them to you ... if you want them.
I like the author's writing style, and think she did a great job with this book. I enjoyed it. I'm even going to look her up online, and keep reading her posts there.
Mod
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematorium
Author: [author:Caitlin Doughty|..."
Personally, I'm happy to pay someone else to do that. Dont think I want to have my loved ones laid out on the kitchen table.
Debbie: My Life by Debbie ReynoldsDebbie Reynold's first memoir. I found it very interesting how she grew up, her MGM days and marriage to Eddie Fisher, and then the betrayals. I didn't know she would ring up psychics, had two stillbirths, was a stepmother to her second husbands children when his wife killed herself, slept in her car at one stage was homeless, and seemed to naively date a lot of cheating men. Since I've read her son Todds memoir, and daughter Carries memoirs, there is abit of overlap. But I don't know that I will read Eddie Fisher's story. I cant imagine what he's got to say for himself. What a scumbag!
Lucky
Author: Alice Sebold
5 Stars = It made a significant impact. I won't forget it.
An excellent book about Alice's brutal rape, and the distressing aftermath. It definitely touched my heart.
The Cat Who Looked at the Sky
Author: Thea Welsh
4 Stars = It gave me much food for thought.
This was such a sweet book about two couples who decide to co-parent two kittens. Of course, life often lends a few twists, and turns, to every plan ... like a third cat inviting itself into the family. The cats in the book are so personable. I really enjoyed the author's style of writing. If you love true stories about cats, and their people, then you'd probably enjoy this book.
Point Of Departure: A Round-the-World Journey of Discovery
Author: Pamela Hardy
4 Stars = It gave me much food for thought.
Good book. Pamela sets out to travel the world ... at age 51. It is totally outside her previous comfort zone. Before this she was a typical wife/mum, then came a divorce, followed by a low paying job ... and she decided to do what she always wanted to do ... travel. Unlike many other 'after-divorce-memoirs' Pamela doesn't subject us to long discussions about her divorce, nor does she have sex with heaps of men. It's about her going to places she's longed to see ... by herself ... making all her decisions, by herself ... handling most of the crisises, by herself ... learning who she really is, and what she's capable of ... which is a lot more than she had previously thought! I enjoyed this book very much.
Table of Contents photos (sorry they are a bit fuzzy)
Three Men In A Raft: An Improbable Journey Down The Amazon
Author: Ben Kozel
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
I very much enjoyed this book. Three men, all in their 20s, from 3 different countries, decide to raft down the Amazon, from its source high in the Andes, to its mouth on the Atlantic coast of South America. This was no high finance trip backed by wealthy sponsors. These guys had no sponsors, used second-hand camping gear, had very little money, and not a lot of experience. They had guts ... and a desire to LIVE life, rather than just watch it slowly seep through their fingers. They were Ben Kozel from Australia (the author), Colin Angus from Canada, and Scott Borthwick from South Africa.
What I Learned Along the Way
Author: Dawn Fraser
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
Dawn is an Australian freestyle champion swimmer. She talks about her life, the good, and the bad. The title of each chapter refers to one of the things that she has 'learned along the way'.
Dawn was a triple Olympic gold medallist. During her career she broke and held 41 World records, and was undefeated over 100 metres freestyle.
"My brothers used to take me off the high tower and I hated it but that was the way I learned to swim... I was four and a half."
Bunny Mellon: The Life of an American Style Legend by Meryl GordonI had no idea who Bunny Mellon really was except the Kennedy books kept mentioning her as a friend of Jackie's. I think we are all supposed to know who she is, well it turns out she was a wealthy socialite who happens to be a gardener. So this intrigued me cos I like reading about gardeners.
She lived to 103 would you believe, married twice, her family were wealthy thanks to the Listerine fortune, her second marriage was to even more wealthy widower Paul Mellon, like Crazy Rich Asian wealthy, so cue tales of outrageous fortunes - millions spent on paintings, hundreds of servants on staff, extravagant jet setting lifestyle, numerous homes in need of interior decoration in good taste that kind of thing. And also with wealth comes dysfunctional family, so familiar sagas of mistresses tolerated, playing favourites, disgruntled children, keeping up appearances. But its the gardening that kept Bunny going. She famously was comissioned designed the rose garden at the White House and was like the Martha Stewart of garden style. No college education she was bred to marry. Her marriage to Paul Mellon was not all roses and when he died she hung around various gay companions, her daughter after a failed marriage came out as gay but then had a terrible trauma happen to her that left her on life support for five years.
Overall an interesting book about an interesting lady, very down to earth in some ways but incredibly flaky in others not sure I would have personally liked her that much (crazy wealth intimidates me) but she seemd like a good companion to many of the wealthy people in her rarified circle. Perhaps a better portrait would be this book The Gardens of Bunny Mellon about her gardening life as opposed to her personal life. She was famously publicity shy but she did put on a facade as Paul Mellons wife. And of course everyone knew he was having an affair, which she had with him first when she left her first husband and children.. Sigh. I mean just what do you do if your insanely wealthy second husband takes a mistress? Rich peoples problems!
Mod
I had no idea who Bunny Mellon really was except the Kennedy books kept mentioning her as a friend of Jackie's. I..."
I had never heard of her either. Sounds like a good book.
I know some here have read the book Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction. Today my friend was visiting. Since I have been sick she suggested we go see the movie. OMG, so good, so heart-breaking. I don't know how it compares to the book, but D*** fine acting.
Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story
Author: Rick Bragg
I really liked this book, but I am a Jerry Lee Lewis fan, so, that's a no-brainer! It's a big book (498 pages) but it reads fast ... like Jerry Lee plays piano ... lol
The author sits with Jerry Lee, at his home, and listens to him talk about his life. He, of course, does much research, and other interviews, but the driving force behind this book is Jerry Lee's life in his own words. Jerry Lee starts at the beginning, and tells his life story, as he sees it, up to the present time. In fact, Jerry Lee is still touring! If you're in California, you can see him on the 17th of November at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Or, Nashville and Memphis, in December 2018. Or, Mississippi or Florida, in January 2019. He's 83 years old! I hope I'm doing as well at his age ... amazing.
As you can imagine, there is heaps of rock and roll history referenced in this book, which just adds to the enjoyment.
4 Stars = It gave me much food for thought.
Diana Ross Memoirs: Secret Of A Sparrow
Author: Diana Ross
I gave this 2 stars because in the entire book Diana never admits to being 'wrong' about ANYTHING. Everything negative that ever happened in her life was NOT HER FAULT. She was always a perfect angel. Ummm ... no one is that perfect. We all have our faults, we've all made mistakes, we've all hurt people we care about, we've all totally screwed something up ... better to admit it, and move on. But not Diana. So, despite being a fan of her music, I am NOT a fan of this book.
2 Stars = Blah. It didn't do anything for me.
The Hospital by the River
Author: Catherine Hamlin
3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.
Very good book about Catherine and Reg Hamlin, and their work in Ethiopia providing surgery for women who suffer from obstetric fistula. What a horrible condition. What wonderful people to devote themselves to helping.
Diane wrote: "Diana Ross Memoirs: Secret Of A Sparrow
Author: Diana Ross
I gave this 2 stars because in the entire book..."
Interesting ...I remember reading Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme by Mary Wilson a while back. Mary never got to sing lead as Diana always stole the show.
Mod
Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story
Author: Rick Bragg
I really liked this book, but I am a Jerry Lee Lewis fan, so, t..."
I am not a Jerry Lee fan but I am a Rick Bragg fan and I loved this book. If you liked this book I recommend you look for other books by this author.
Koren wrote: "Diane wrote: "Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story
Author: Rick Bragg
I really liked this book, but I am a Jerry Lee Le..."
Koren wrote: I am not a Jerry Lee fan but I am a Rick Bragg fan and I loved this book. If you liked this book I recommend you look for other books by this author.
Thanks, Koren. Will do!
Kill the Morans
Author: Bert Wrout
2 Stars = Blah. It didn't do anything for me.
This book is about Melbourne, Australia's gangland war. Bert Wrout was the driver/confidant of Lewis Moran. Former crime journalist, Brett Quine, helps Bert set the record straight (according to him). "This is the gritty reality behind the gangland wars. An insider's account, stripped of the TV glamour: utterly compelling." Julian Burnside AO QC
If you're 'into' Australian crime families, you'll probably enjoy this book. I'm not, hence, my low rating.
But Wait, There's More by Suzanne PaulSuzanne Paul is well known in NZ for being an informercial queen. She demos and sells massage pillows and makeup and other products you never knew you could do without. Everytime she's on tv you know its her because of her distinctive english working class accent.
She came to NZ with only $18 to her name but in two years became a multimillionaire, then went bankrupt, then got back on her feet again and got her own tv show, and appeared on Dancing with the Stars at age 55..and won! Plus other ups and downs in her life are shared in this memoir which is also a bit of self-help thrown in of her life's journey. Good if you want to seek a bit o fame and fortune yourself and dont mind being given tips on how to make the law of attraction work for you... anyway...an interesting motivational memoir I found in the fridge library...never knew if she starred on Oprah flogging this book though as she had written that she would. But my copy was signed by the author she wrote 'follow your dreams'.
Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison
Author: Piper Kerman
2 Stars = Blah. It didn't do anything for me.
I like memoirs. I like hearing the life stories that folks share. Unfortunately, after reading their stories, I don't always end up liking the person who wrote it. Such is the case with Piper Kerman. It all feels very self-congratulatory, self-serving, and arrogant. Sadly, I tend to agree with Joice on this one, here's her review: Joice's review
Nickel and Dimed
Author: Barbara Ehrenreich
3 Stars = I'm glad I read it.
I'm all for anyone who takes the time to shine a spotlight on the hellish existence of many folks with low-paying jobs. Therefore, I do appreciate Barbara's book. I spent many years in that life, and it's hard, very hard. At times she came across as being 'better' than the folks she was working with, which kind of rubbed me the wrong way. But, all in all, at least her book draws attention to the plight of the low-wage earner.
Minimum wage jobs in the U.S. suck ... big time ... especially waitressing at any family style restaurant. Enough said.
Memoirs of a Psychic Spy: The Remarkable Life of US Government Remote Viewer
Author: Joseph McMoneagle
4 Stars = It gave me much food for thought.
Great book. Joe was at a retreat that my hubby, and I, attended, and he was awesome. I was totally impressed. So, I bought the book!
A Promise To Nadia
Author: Zana Muhsen
In 1980 Zana Muhsen, 15, and her sister Nadia, 14, were abducted from their Birmingham, England home and sold into marriage in the Yemen, in the Arabian peninsula of Asia. Zana was allowed back eight years later, after a public outcry. But she had to leave behind her baby son, her sister Nadia, and Nadia's two small children. She has already written a book about the years in Yemen entitled Sold, and this book is a follow-up, telling of the continued fight to save Nadia.
Frankly, there wasn't much in this book. It would have been better suited as a magazine article. But Zana wrote the book to try to keep her sister's plight in the public eye.
3 Stars = I'm glad I read it.
Desert Flower
Desert Dawn
Author of the books above: Waris Dirie
3 Stars = I liked the books. I'm glad I read them.
Desert Flower review:
Waris is an inspiration to all. She overcame so much to grasp a chance at true freedom. She is now a determined spokesperson against female genital mutilation. Very good book.
Desert Dawn review:
This is a follow-up ... of sorts ... to Waris' first book Desert Flower. In this book, she goes back to Somalia, after more than 20 years away, to visit relatives and friends ... especially her dear mother. It was nice to be able to peek inside her Somalian family's life, and see how she responds to them after being away for so long, and vice versa. A story of going home.
For a completely different angle on the Andes plane crash, aka the Christmas Miracle, I'm reading Into the Mountains: The Extraordinary True Story of Survival in the Andes and its Aftermath. Pedro Algorta, who wrote this one, is not the fearless hero type at all and wasn't even a member of the Old Christians rugby team. He just wanted to see his girlfriend in Santiago and went along for the ride. It's a great read.
Mod
5 stars
The author focuses on 4 presidents that led during turbulent times: Lincoln (civil war), T. Roosevelt (scandals, assassination of his predecessor, coal strike), F. D. Roosevelt (WW2, The Depression), and Lyndon Johnson (assassinations, Viet Nam War) and explores their backgrounds, personalities and temperaments and what made them good leaders. If you have read bios of these gentlemen before, you will likely not find much new here but it is interesting to compare how the men differed in temperament and and abilities. I think there are some thinly veiled references to how these men governed compared to what we have today. Doris Kearns Goodwin is one of the best, if not THE best presidential biographer.
Mod
3 stars
If you follow politics or watch the presidential news briefings, you will recognize April Ryan as a reporter that the president likes to pick on. She is feisty and doesn't back down and she is good at what she does. My biggest disappointment with this book is that most of it is information that we already know if we watch the news or follow the president at all. At times this is just another bitch about Trump book. The part about her and Omarosa was a surprise as I was not aware there was some bad blood there. I really think she should have waited to write this book. It is a short book, only 171 pages and I started it one evening and finished it the next. But she finished the book earlier this year and as we know there is so much more she could have included and made the book more about the attack on the media. The attacks on Jim Acosta should have definitely been included in this book and I'm sure there is more to come.
Trump's every passing thought is so public I doubt it's possible to write anything new about his, um, administration. Someone could still write a blockbuster about what Pence has been doing all this time.
Mod
Exactly what DOES he do all day?
In Leadership: In Turbulent Times I thought it was interesting that LBJ and FDR did not want the job of VP because they thought it was too boring.
But Bush 41 never said that to my knowledge, probably because he was running the country himself for the whole second term as Reagan's mind started circling the drain. Pence has probably really been at the wheel virtually since Day One. It would take a lot of fancy footwork to convince 45 that he's the one in charge, but seriously, how would he know the difference?
The Washerwoman's Dream: The Extraordinary Life of Winifred Steger 1882-1981
Author: Hilarie Lindsay
4 Stars = It gave me much food for thought. It definitely held my interest.
I enjoyed this book about Australian writer, Winifred Steger. The hardships she endured were more than enough to break anyone, yet she held on. She lived to be 99 years old, so, there is a lot to be told. I felt the author did a very good job, she kept me engrossed from start to finish.
The Gardener of Versailles: My Life in the World's Grandest Gardenby Alain BaratonThe author is Gardener-in-chief to the Palace of Versailles, and he has an interesting tale to tell. It first opens with the storm of 1999 where the grounds had to be closed for a few weeks as many trees had been uprooted and fallen over. Imagine what a huge job tidying that up would be, and how devastating it was to the gardeners there. What follows is a bit about how he became a gardener and some of the amusing incidents that happen in such a grand garden where history is ever-present. Being French, of course, it's romantic place for lovers and the author is not above boasting of it's charms to visiting mademoiselles.
I've never been but for anyone who has or an interest in palatial gardens, this is a good anecdotal memoir. No photos though!
Byleveld: Dossier of a Serial Sleuth, Hanlie Retief3 stars
This was a very interesting read about the exploits of South Africa's most famous detective, a specialist in serial murder. Maybe it was the translation from Afrikaans, but the narrative was a little flat and unemotional considering the subject matter -- the detective preferred camping out at some hideous crime scene to dealing with his disastrous marriage but I never really found out why. Maybe the author was matching her writing to Byleveld's dry, "just the facts ma'am" manner of speaking. I was a little thrown that when the victim was a pretty white woman, we heard every detail of the crime, where if the victim was black we often wouldn't even get the name or the date of the offense. Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but...
The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington
Jennet Conant
4/5 stars
Conant discusses the life and times of Roald Dahl who served as a pilot in WWII for England. After his plane is shot down in Africa during a battle, Dahl is injured but is later is sent to Washington D.C. to work for the BSC (British Security Coordination). This was quite an interesting look at D.C. during wartime and all the machinations that were going on. Recommended!
Life, Loss, Love: A Memoir by Lorraine Downes19year old Kiwi girl Lorraine Downes won Miss Universe in 1983, which was a complete surprise and great moment for New Zealanders (I was three at the time, so don't remember it). A stunning blonde beauty, she was also married to two kiwi sporting greats, an All Black rugby player and a Black cap Cricketer so, it seems her partners were also representing New Zealand. The first marriage ended in divorce which was sad - they grew apart and she was much younger, but then she met her soul mate Martin Crowe. They'd already had children with their first partners, but couldn't have any of their own, which might have been just as well because Martin Crowe battled with cancer later and died just two years ago.
This memoir is about Lorraine's journey and coping with --life, loss and love. The parts about winning Miss Universe were interesting and then she starts her own business and modelling agency, become a mother of two, and marries her soul mate. There's lots of photos. Lorraine comes across as genuinely nice gal and like a lot of gorgeous, beautiful people totally unaware of how blessed she is with her natural good looks - something she's never had to work at. But being picture perfect doesn't mean a picture perfect life where nothing bad ever happens.
Some of its a bit new-agey in dealing with things like spiritual growth etc. She seems to go to a lot of therapists! A quick read and maybe recommended for anyone facing widowhood or remembers the 80s and those fluffy perms. She also, like Suzanne Paul, went on Dancing with the Stars and won.
I am not sure why I keep reading memoirs by Dancing with the Stars winners but they seem to just show up in the fridge library!
Yea its an old fridge turned into a pop-up library. My librarian friend has been getting these old fridges painted and stocking them with books, then placing them round the neighbourhood. You can then swap books for free.
Selina wrote: "Yea its an old fridge turned into a pop-up library. My librarian friend has been getting these old fridges painted and stocking them with books, then placing them round the neighbourhood. You can t..."I love the idea of the fridge libraries. It reminds me of free little libraries that people put up on their lawns.
The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H Joseph Hopkins, illustrated by Jill McElmurryThis illustrated picture book is a bio of Kate Sessions, who in 1883 went to San Diego and had a vision of planting many trees in the tree-less city park there, and made it happen! Inspiring.
Herstory: 50 Women and Girls Who Shook Up the World by Katherine Halligan illustrated by Sarah WalshThis is another illustrated picture book with 50 2-page bios of women and girls from all around the world who's lives made a difference. You will find some well known, like Mother Teresa and Joan of Arc, to Anne Frank, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie, Helen Keller, Dian Fossey to those lesser known (well to me, anyway) like Elizabeth Blackwell (first female doctor) Valentina Tereshkova (first female astronuat) Sophie Scholl (resistance leader) Hypatia (mathematician and philosopher).
There is colourful illustrations and photographs. Its divided into 5 sections of different categories eg Believe and Lead, Imagine and Create, Help and Heal, Think and Solve, Hope and Overcome.
I'd been browsing the childrens' biography section of the library looking for a bio about Joan of Arc that wasn't dry as dust history or overly academic. So came across these illustrated bios. And learned about some inspiring women I'd never heard of, plus got to know a few more that I had! Many of the women featured in this volume were their first in a male dominated field, so, I guess for the feminist in us, thats good reason to read about them - they are not forgotten.
Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars
Scotty Bowers
3/5 stars
Bowers relates his role and how it came about in the procuring of partners for the rich and famous in Hollywood and politics from the 1940’s to the 1980’s. This book was okay but I was more interested in Bowers. His life was very interesting. He does name a lot of names, but most of these actors and politicians had already been outed so there were no real surprises in the book.
How I Found Livingstone
Author: Henry Morton Stanley
4 Stars = Nice. It definitely held my interest.
This book was originally published in 1872, so, the language, and place/people names, have changed considerably since that time. If you can deal with that, you're in for a quite a ride with Stanley, as he searches for Livingstone. Much information is given regarding the various African tribes he deals with along the way, and the Arab travellers who are on journeys of their own. Historically speaking, it's an important book since it is written by Stanley himself. Stanley was a rugged explorer, full of energy and enthusiasm. It was amazing to read all the things they went through. I enjoyed the book because I enjoy history, and getting Stanley's first-hand view was the icing on the cake.
Cause of Death, Geoffrey Garrett and Andrew Nott3 stars
This is the memoir of a Manchester-area medical examiner, focusing mostly on interesting cases but, in a refreshing change of pace, also talking about what it's like to be the doctor at every death scene and how that experience informs Garrett's ideas about society and politics. Well-written and full of crimes and disasters I never heard of before.
Mod
3 stars
I did not know there was such a thing as garbage slums in Cairo Egypt. The people that live in them are so poor that they sort through garbage to make money to live. Mama Maggie is a woman who lived a life of luxury to work in the slums and help the people, especially the children. She is almost a Mother Theresa type person. Very inspirational. I couldn't help but wonder what the world would be like if there were more Mama Maggies in the world. This is a quick read.
Through My Father's Eyes by Franklin GrahamMore of a tribute to Billy Graham than a memoir by his eldest son Franklin. There are many references to the gospel Billy Graham preached, and his later years, if one has already read any of the autobiographies or books Billy Graham wrote (33 in total) then this book probably is a bit redundant as its a bit choppy in that regard. I thought it might have more memories of Billy as a father to his family, of 3 girls and 2 boys, (and many grandchildren and great grand children) but there is not much of that in here, and Franklin had already written about his own childhood and following in his fathers footsteps in another book. Some of the records Franklin sets straight where reporters had misquoted his dad, its more of a focus Billy's preaching than his life, and then about the death of Ruth his mother and Billy's funeral. He lived to be 99 years old. Then there's his legacy which is now housed in the Billy Graham Library in North Carolina. So if you dont mind reading a very preachy book...which may be due to the co-author rather than Franklin, then you will be absolutely preached to in this book about one of the most famous preachers of our age.
Dark Secret: The Complete Story: The True Account of What Happened to Little Alex Suleski, Nyssa Corbin4 stars!
This book was rough going in some ways. It's a child's-eye-view memoir of what I can only call the torture murder of a little girl. The author did a great job of letting us see what was really going on just outside the wall of intimidation and incomprehension that blocked her from acknowledging what was going on in plain sight. I was very, very impressed with the way she turned the tables on her mom to finally get some justice for her little sister; it's safe to say most people her age couldn't possibly have done it. I'm also very impressed by the way she went ahead and made her own life bear zero resemblance to what she grew up with. This is an incredible story all the way around. With that said, this book really needed a final copyedit to clear out some confusing elements. For instance, is the first Mrs. Suleski's name Kim, Chong or Young? It kept changing without warning. And how does a person given life without the possibility of parole later somehow have a parole hearing on the calendar? I would have liked a few words of explanation to clear up points like that. None of this stopped me from finishing the book, even though I had to put it aside for a few days and take a breather as the narrative brought us closer to the events of October 26th...But the children in that house never got to take a breather, now did they? So I kept reading.
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
J.D. Vance
4/5 stars
Though I am probably the last person to have read this book, I thought this was a very interesting and thoughtful look back at the author’s life growing up in Kentucky and Ohio and how it affected him and the lives of his family and friends. It opened a perspective on a way of life that was different from how I was raised.
Biography, Autobiography, Memoir
Books mentioned in this topic
The Gardens That Mended a Marriage (other topics)Fortunate Isle: A Memoir of Tenerife (other topics)
I Am Matthew (other topics)
A Cat in the Window (other topics)
Good Stuff: A Reminiscence of My Father, Cary Grant (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Derek Tangye (other topics)Jennifer Grant (other topics)
Derek Tangye (other topics)
Howard Carter (other topics)
Jan Ruff-O'Herne (other topics)
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Tell Me I'm Here
Author: Anne Deveson
5 Stars = It made a significant impact. I won't forget it.
Excellent book about an unbearable tragedy. Anne pours out her heart in such a raw, simple, honest manner. How she withstood all that she went through is awe inspiring. I'm so glad Jonathan had a mum like Anne. His life was a living hell, and he never found the way back ... if there is a way ... to his 'normal' life. Finally, his pain brought him down that lonely path so many tortured folks walk ... suicide.
The book covers from when it first became apparent that Jonathan was 'sick', and carries you through to his suicide. What his precious mother (and sister and brother) went through is unthinkable. How do you watch your son literally lose his mind? And then when you try to get help for him, no one will help.
"The policeman rings the hospital. I can hear a voice, the other end, a crackly sound. The policeman relays the medical message: Doctor says, why can’t he stay with his mum and come in tomorrow morning?
I am dumbfounded.
The policeman answers for me: Because he’s been frightening his mum and acting strange.
The phone goes crackle, crackle. The policeman says: Doctor asks, what’s wrong?
Schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia, says the policeman. He listens. Doctor says, there’s no such thing as schizophrenia."
"I felt as if this was some monstrous endurance test, which would never end."
"Jonathan came in through the windows in the downstairs front room. He was crazy… When Jonathan became psychotic, the level of discordant energy was so immense that I could feel him approaching minutes before he actually arrived. Several times I would wake in the middle of the night with the hair on my arms standing on edge and know that Jonathan was somewhere near. Here was Jonathan on this blue and white November morning, telling me that he had decided to kill me."
"I do not want to write this book. I find it painful… It scratches old wounds so they have no chance to heal. I am sick of the word schizophrenia. I am sick of madness."
I can't recommend this book highly enough. It touched my heart deeply. I loved this book.