Stephen Mills' shattering and compelling memoir left me indelibly marked. It is a powerful read but also a very read-able book. Mills writes beautifulStephen Mills' shattering and compelling memoir left me indelibly marked. It is a powerful read but also a very read-able book. Mills writes beautifully about terrible terrible events. His searing portrayal of the layers of grief, anger, guilt, bewilderment, and helplessness capture so vividly the lasting trauma of child abuse. That any child had to endure what Mills went through is heartbreaking; that (tens of?) thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of children go through it every year is a terrible crime against humanity. That our laws are so inadequate still, and our understanding anemic, is so frustrating. Mill's book will hopefully contribute to helping children and adults heal, and push all of us to do better in protecting children....more
A fascinating and compelling read, filled with gorgeous writing and rich imagery, and really moving characters and plot line: I could not put this booA fascinating and compelling read, filled with gorgeous writing and rich imagery, and really moving characters and plot line: I could not put this book down and enjoyed it so much! Four characters from four different eras in Rome - Early Christian, Middle Ages, Renaissance; and Modern Day - are connected not only by a fish hook held by each of them for a period of time, but also by questions of faith, identity, duty, and their search for joy. I found the parenthetical discourses really annoying (Satan offering more than his two cents way too often) and so I am only giving four stars. But the writing is simply gorgeous, the plot ingenious, and each of the four stories deeply moving. I love the way Smith writes and look forward to reading more of her work. I highly highly highly recommend this book. ...more
I loved this book, a captivating chronicle of family love and family dysfunction, of the many ways we try to understand each other and how we fail, anI loved this book, a captivating chronicle of family love and family dysfunction, of the many ways we try to understand each other and how we fail, and yet we try again, and again. The love between parents, between siblings, between parents and children, between ex-wives and ex-husbands: all of it is explored in this wonderful and moving book. Like another reviewer, I read it in two days. I just could not put it down and the various characters will stay with me for a long time. Not only is this an insightful and compelling story about family, but it is also a love song to New York City, an amazing place that allows so many very different people to live and love in close proximity, finding sustenance not only in each other but also in the city itself. ...more
I loved this unique and beautiful memoir. A heartfelt personal story combined with a deeply-researched history of how government policies and nationalI loved this unique and beautiful memoir. A heartfelt personal story combined with a deeply-researched history of how government policies and national politics have failed so many of the working class poor. The only reason I did not give five stars is that I was not entirely convinced by the device of whom the book was ostensibly written for (no spoilers). But a wonderful, moving, and engaging book. ...more
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