Pam Carmichael
asked:
Wow I just look down and I see so many of you have read it and enjoyed it, so happy to get this and seeing your reviews I pretty much know I will love it, no question here!!? Guess I have to put a question out, how much did you really like it ?
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Susan Stemont
I didn't exactly enjoy it, but I rated it 5 stars. It's a very difficult book to read, but I think it's important
Judy
I found it both captivating and difficult to read. I had to take breaks from it to process what I was reading/feeling.
Craig Lira-Waguespack
This is probably one of the best books I've read for a while. Very gripping and harsh, yet smooth and captivating. It brings the harsh secrets that all families have to light and how those secrets define who we are as individuals throughout our lives.
This book has brought many things home to me and I thank you for that after dealing with much in my family disowning me for being gay. Realizing self and understanding who you are is more powerful than anything and this brought just brings that reality back to me. It also empowers me to go back to my studies.
This book is not one to put down! As you read, you are shocked but empathetic at the same time. You want to give her a hug, but realize how harsh life can be and continues to be. It brings reality to your face and shows you that the choices and paths in life that are chosen can come with consequences. But, happiness and self cannot be subdued and in the end, you have to pursue happiness or you will never be truly you. Thank you!
This book has brought many things home to me and I thank you for that after dealing with much in my family disowning me for being gay. Realizing self and understanding who you are is more powerful than anything and this brought just brings that reality back to me. It also empowers me to go back to my studies.
This book is not one to put down! As you read, you are shocked but empathetic at the same time. You want to give her a hug, but realize how harsh life can be and continues to be. It brings reality to your face and shows you that the choices and paths in life that are chosen can come with consequences. But, happiness and self cannot be subdued and in the end, you have to pursue happiness or you will never be truly you. Thank you!
Donna Davis
I really did, because I knew at the outset that she makes it out of there in one piece. As a teacher, I always found it fascinating to see which kids could experience one nightmare after another at home and out in the world and still come out strong and able to achieve, and which ones would crumble at the first sign of hardship. Reading Westover's story brought it all back exponentially.
Princess
At one point, toward the end, I put it aside and sobbed. Yes, body shaking, tears coursing down my face, headache inducing sobbing. Tara's story tore me apart. It's hard to read. I have known families like hers and I believe every word of her story. It's beautifully written but difficult to read.
Nikki Wilson
I couldn't put it down, even reading through tears. That being said, this story took something from me (or perhaps gave me something?) that I'll never get back (or maybe never find again....). It was difficult to read but exhilarating at the same time. You'll love it and hate it. Embrace it and throw it across the room in disgust--but you won't be able to let it go.
Jennifer Elbert
"Like" it? No, but it's a riveting, powerful, well-written and very engaging story. I highly recommend it.
Deb M.
I cannot say enough positive about this book. I did expect having to skip portions of the book where the abuse was written about but, for me, that was not the case. It was horrible definitely but again, for me, it felt almost clinical. It was definitely necessary for it to be written as it was or the power of the book would have been lost. I will have no problem recommending this one to all my friends. If I should be someplace book browsing and see a person checking out this book I will stop and encourage them to take it home and prepare for a truly powerful experience.
Candace Aylsworth
Honestly, I really struggled with how timid and meek she was during the entire book. I kept waiting for her, as she became more worldly, more of an adult, and exposed to the "real world" to finally stick up for herself and she never does. It REALLY bothered me she never just told her Mom, Dad, brother, ANYONE how she really felt. She just took and took and took the verbal abuse. Ugh. It was tough for me to get through and I was pretty disappointed in how it ended.
Tatiana Terekhova
Waste of time for me. Great marketing though.
Keith
As others have said, "enjoy" isn't really the word, but I found it captivating as a window into a world (of survivalists, religious fundamentalism etc.) that usually gets stereotyped and sensationalized such that most people have no idea what that kind of life is like "from the inside".
Megan
One of the top two books I've read this year. Read it for two of my book groups, also got my husband and college daughter to read it. We've talked about it for months. Lots and lots to talk about.
Carolyn
I was surprised that the book had so many long descriptions of violence. It was necessary to include these passages, but it made for difficult reading.
Maureen
Hated it. With a white hot sort of hatred.
Angie Seffker
The author is a very good writer and so reading the story is enjoyable in that regard. The story is difficult at times to read but we, obviously, know a bit about the outcome. She gets an education and writes a book. So, that was always in the back of my mind during the difficult to read portions - she escapes ...
Steph Monette
IMO 5 stars doesn't mean it's enjoyable. I gave it 5 stars because it was well-written and engaging. That said it was a hard and painful read. I cried many times while reading it.
Sue S
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Linda Strother
this book was on my son reading list and I download started listening to it by mistake. It has become on of my best books. I almost has an anxiety attack with her the last car ride with Sean. My My my this is a most read no matter your family dynamics, religion or gender. Truly a great work
Kathe
I would never describe this story as "enjoyable". However, it was definitely a "very" Good Read. Very painful story, well told, and somewhat inspiring as well. I'd like to see her write a sequal to this, as these things will continue to haunt her as she attains more and more wisdom throughout her life.
Abhirup Dutta
The book is un-put-down-able. Extremely captivating story that resonates deeply with all people. Writing style is simple, yet direct and powerful. I would call it a 100% must-read, and I rarely say this about any book.
librarianka
Amazing writing.
Sandra
I grew up with an abusive father so I understand some of the sentiments as well as the "lostness" of a person in this situation but I feel that this book was so VERY extreme. For myself, it is hard to understand the complete obeisance of this family.
I am reading in chunks as I am finding it difficult to digest, and sadly relevant.
I am reading in chunks as I am finding it difficult to digest, and sadly relevant.
Tom Anstett
I "enjoyed" the book because it angered me; it made me understand how unfortunate such a close-minded family can harm members of its own family. A reader does not have to "enjoy" the book - in the literal sense of the word - to appreciate a certain book and/or have a book raise various levels of emotions that make one THINK. It is indeed an important book to read.
Margaret
It wasn't an'enjoyable read' but I couldn't put it down. It is compelling and ultimately uplifting. A remarkable memoir.
Deborah
The book is a difficult read. The level of violence and manipulation this woman experienced may force you to stop and pause. But it is a powerful story worth reading.
Cheryl
It had a slow start but I loved this book. It wasnt quite as good as THE GLASS CASTLE but very similiar.
Ann
I enjoyed the book, but it was hard to read at times. I feel so bad for her suffering so much abuse from her own family.
Genevieve
"Enjoy" is not the right word for how I feel about this book. In parts, I found it more horrifying than reading a Stephen King novel. This book gave me insight, respect, maybe some understanding. I agree that it is important to gain an understanding of what it means to be a fundamentalist.
Ellen
Enjoy is not the word I would use regarding reading this book. Thought- provoking, difficult even painful is more accurate. I had to take breaks to process, have something positive to balance the reading. However, it is an important discussion to consider, and have with those around us.
Kelly
I apologize & RETRACT my original comment, which I'll leave below. I just finished the book & LOVED it. i assumed that the book was just about how her childhood wasn't 'good' and made her life hard. but it's about so much more than that. I loved the way it came together and how she shared her transformative experience in a way that everyone can relate to and learn from. Read it! Finished it!
Thanks Tara, if you read these! Sorry for the early harsh judgement below.
I was wrong.
==================================================================
Original comment:
I am currently reading and 75% of the way through and just started to enjoy it as of last night's reading.
I know memoirs probably should not be compared... right before picking this up I read Only Girl in the World which is about a girl who endures a MUCH WORSE upbringing and miraculously goes on to help others. Probably because of that story, my heart has not been feeling for the childhood that this author found so traumatizing. When I was struggling, I looked up the author to see what she went on to do but I only see that she's a memoirist so... I'm just not feeling the affects described by these thousands of other readers.
I hate to put down anyone's life story and her experience of and reactions to the worst things that happened to her are the worst things that ever happened to her, as are everyone's. I'm not proud of my reactions here just had to get them off my chest and few real life reader friends.
Thanks Tara, if you read these! Sorry for the early harsh judgement below.
I was wrong.
==================================================================
Original comment:
I am currently reading and 75% of the way through and just started to enjoy it as of last night's reading.
I know memoirs probably should not be compared... right before picking this up I read Only Girl in the World which is about a girl who endures a MUCH WORSE upbringing and miraculously goes on to help others. Probably because of that story, my heart has not been feeling for the childhood that this author found so traumatizing. When I was struggling, I looked up the author to see what she went on to do but I only see that she's a memoirist so... I'm just not feeling the affects described by these thousands of other readers.
I hate to put down anyone's life story and her experience of and reactions to the worst things that happened to her are the worst things that ever happened to her, as are everyone's. I'm not proud of my reactions here just had to get them off my chest and few real life reader friends.
Jennifer Allen
Very difficult reading some of the violence she endured. There were a few scenes that did not ring true for me and I still have lingering questions as to why other people do not have a recollection of certain events. How could her boyfriend not hear her being attacked when he was in the same house at Thanksgiving? Would still recommend reading it, though, but with caution as to the complete truth of it.
Susan Weliky
I hated it. Unending abuse.
Betsy Milan
"Enjoy" may not be the right word for my feelings about this book, but I couldn't put it down. Part of it might be because I have known many families in the Latter Day Saint survivalist community (though I am not myself LDS and never could be) and I have seen both the good and the tragically bad sides of this culture. When someone displays courage in the face of great odds, it uplifts me. That is what I felt about this book: it uplifted me.
Kaila
It wasn't an easy read emotionally speaking, but it was an easy read in that I could hardly step away, the story was so compelling. Each chapter is so beautifully written that I would pause to process the message for each one. Luckily chapters are relatively short, otherwise I think the intensity of the book would be overwhelming.
A W
I echo others: if you were raised in, or are familiar with repressive childhood pressures justified by religion, you totally get this book. Tara's story is 1000 times worse than my experience, but the fundamental issues behind it make complete sense to me. Thankfully, the things I encountered in childhood were well-meaning and largely overcome-able, and I have largely adapted as an adult. But other children in the faith-group in which I was raised weren't so fortunate. They either turned out as repressive people themselves or became total cynics and abandoned all faith. I know this story.
Amanda up North
I find this book extremely overrated. I explain in detail here: /review/show...
There are many inspiring memoirs out there that are well written and meaningful. I thought this was a big power play in a family feud, and one woman's bitterness about her upbringing and certain family members. Mainly she lacks gratitude for her the tremendous privilege and opportunities she was given. It is a very incomplete memoir. She has far too much to learn still, and does not tell us what she is actually doing with her life and "education." Other than writing a book to add to her ongoing family drama.
Breaking Night, by Liz Murray is everything this book is not. I highly recommend that book. She has true grit and grace, an inspiring human, doing something good with her life.
There are many inspiring memoirs out there that are well written and meaningful. I thought this was a big power play in a family feud, and one woman's bitterness about her upbringing and certain family members. Mainly she lacks gratitude for her the tremendous privilege and opportunities she was given. It is a very incomplete memoir. She has far too much to learn still, and does not tell us what she is actually doing with her life and "education." Other than writing a book to add to her ongoing family drama.
Breaking Night, by Liz Murray is everything this book is not. I highly recommend that book. She has true grit and grace, an inspiring human, doing something good with her life.
Louis
loved reading it a lot
Ingrid Bahen
Powerful, gripping and well told. I too read it in one sitting and will read it again to fully appreciate how well it was written and how well she told her story having the ability to fully reflect her progression to true self. Highly, highly recommended.
Jill Mauro
I really loved this book. I understand it can be difficult to read of the violence but so necessary for all of us to learn.
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