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This book was difficult to finish due to the lack of character development. I continually reminded myself that the author's warped perception was the damage collaterial of addiction and mental illness. Hopefully. she can receive appropriate therapy to help her forgive and form healthy relationships without the backlash of self pity and self absorbtion.
Another compelling aspect of her memoir is Sonnenberg's unapologetic handling of her own life and sexuality from a young age. What is perhaps the best aspect of Sonnenberg's memoir, Her Last Death, is that it demonstrates child abuse transcends socioeconomic and cultural levels. And, had Sonnenberg not been the child of privilege would her story have been published. What rings most true and shows her struggle for normalcy and boundaries is how Sonnenberg handles her mother's near death. Reared in an environment that thrived on chaos and drama, most caused by a mother who would never qualify as mother of the year, the author shows us how she's had to acclimate to an ordinary life of stability and predictability in a relatively remote area of the country far from New York and the high life; which isn't as easy as one might think.
This is a wonderful story of courage and bravery from a victom of addiction. This girl shows sheer sreinth and poise as she keeps her self in check while being deprived of all she needed. A story that gives hope to others, much like this book, Not All Prisons Have Bars
Same for Augusten Borroughs' books.I listened to this book on CD and maybe hearing the story in her own voice gave me a different experience than those who read the book. The fact that she is writing about it speaks volumes.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/blog/post/PLNK1GRX315NTSYFA memoir is a writer's impressions of her life, from her perspective. I believe a good memoir doesn't get bogged down in emotions: anger over how her parents neglected her, gave her drugs, or abused her.
Here is a link to an Amazon interview with Susanna Sonnenberg. It would be extraneous for her to write how she thinks of her childhood now.
She is telling a STORY and who wants a memoir that reads like a therapy session. (Well, that COULD be interesting but that might be a different genre).Sonnenberg's recollections may seem detached to some readers because she is not judging or analyzing what happened to her.
She knows it was screwed up. But mostly I think too many people expect memoirs to be as factual as an encyclopedia.
Good read, (4 stars) not 5, but definitely will keep you turning the pages if you enjoy memoirs. I actually really enjoyed this book.
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