"A Long Journey Home" book review

I received an advanced copy of "A Long Journey Home" by Margaret Robinson from The Library Things early reviewers. This is my review of this memoir of the mother of Augusten Burroughs'.
Having read Augusten Burroughs memoir, I was curious to see his mothers story. Since I found “Running With Scissors” a rather disturbing book and one I have been cautious to whom I recommended it to, I knew Margaret’s story would be a difficult one. Many others have been critical of Margaret saying she is trying to justify her actions or that her description of life doesn’t really gel with her sons books. Everyone has their take on their life and even siblings raised in the same house will remember things differently.
I read her story with an open mind wanting to hear her side of the story and try to understand her feelings. It is helpful to read how she perceived her upbringing and how her parents treated her. I am sure her mother would feel she was misunderstood by Margaret also.
That being said, I do feel a respect for Margaret that she has been able to overcome so many obstacles and remain positive. Mental illness is after all a disease of the brain and maybe some of her memories or stories are eschewed but they are how she remembers them.
I did find the writing choppy and sometimes hard to follow. It took me several weeks to finish because it was a hard story to want to read about and sometimes the story seems to drag. I am glad I read it and felt much more positive at the end than I did with “Running With Scissors”.
Margaret’s story is one you should read if you want to understand mental illness especially if you have someone in your life that is affected with it. The lesson I think you can take from this book is that we must embrace who we are, be true to ourselves and respect others for who they are.

If you would like to read more of Margaret and her poetry please visit her web page here

http://www.margaretrobison.com/home.htm

Book Review

I got my 4th book to review through Library Thing!

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Cocaine's Son

by David Itzkoff

Planned release date Feb. 2011

This review is coming from a daughter of an alcoholic, who also blamed him for the anxiety disorder and abandonment issues she has. I could relate with much of what David was trying to say here in his book "Cocaines's Son".

As a young person, I found it very painful that my father chose bars and buddies over attending dance recitals and school functions. The dread of wondering if the funny, easy going Dad or the angry, foul mouthed drunk Dad was going to come home each night. And on some nights I lay awake waiting to see if he would make it home safely if at all.

David's Dad is a hard man to like and live with high or sober. The beginning of the book starts out from a child's perspective, where as most kids, we want our parents to be our heroes. David's Dad falls sorely short. David has to endure many let downs and embarrassing moments by his father. Growing into a healthy, let alone loving, respectful relationship is more than likely not going to happen but nonetheless they try.

David does not have a lot of harrowing tales for us to wade through and his book does not leave you with dark depressed feelings. As you move through the book you mostly feel the disappointment and desire for a better relationship for them or for David to just give up already!

I am very pleased with which he chose to close out his memoir. It is very emotional and heart warming.

After going through a very difficult emotional time myself, at one time I felt that I'd rather be dead. Then realizing my children were not enough to keep me here was a startling revelation that helped me reconcile my feelings toward my father. I was able to understand the emotional pain he lived with and I was then able to forgive. Unfortunately, he had already died but I found peace and a different perspective in how to view my childhood.

This book is not a heavy downer. If you have experienced disappointments from a parent and not reconciled, you may benefit from this book.