Reading: Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose
Title: Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them
Author: Prose, Francine
Length: 273 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Reading, Writing
Publisher / Year: Harper Perennial / 2006
Source: Purchased pre-2009.
Rating: 3/5
Why I Read It: One of the books with the Roommate Challenge.
Date Read: 26/01/12
I must admit a bit of initial disappointment in the book because of wrong expectations. I thought the book was about reading, but it is really about writing and its primary audience seems to be those who wish to write. While I may write book reviews, and have been known to write an essay or two, I’ve never considered myself a writer, really, and I have no long-term plans of writing a book. Especially a novel. Which is what this book is primarily about – writing sentences and paragraphs, writing gesture, writing dialogue, writing characters, and etc.
That being said, there was still some to interest me in this work. While it wasn’t what I was expecting, Prose still talks about the benefit and importance of close reading, which is something I’ve long been a fan of as well. While I have skimmed occasionally in my life, I do try not to. She also talks about why we love what we do in books often – why certain characters seem more real, the types of dialogue that flow best, and so on. It is interesting watching her argue each side of a position though and give examples for each.
I’d read almost none of the books that she discusses but then, Prose and I have different reading paths and tastes! While I’ve read a few classics, I tend to avoid them in favor of more non-fiction on topics of interest and literature from around the world, especially from Africa. I don’t believe any of Prose’s examples were from African authors. What I love most about their writings, and the non-fiction I read, is often how language is distorted. Close reading in these books are always necessary and rewarded. Marechera says it best in his introduction to The House of Hunger:
For a black writer the language is very racist; you have to have harrowing fights and hair-raising panga duels with the language before you can make it do all that you want it to do. It is so for the feminists. English is very male. (page 7)
I would love to see Prose’s take on these books. Which brings me to another point from the work. Prose loves the idea of close reading but is not at all a fan of “deconstructionists, Marxits, feminists, and so forth, all battling for the right to tell students that they were reading “texts” in which ideas and politics trumped what the writer had actually written” as she says on page 8. I don’t think that the two are exclusive. When close reading it is equally evident and important to note the ideas behind the work – which doesn’t mean as Prose seems to imply that works can’t have unsavory characters or that they should all be likeable and good, but rather that we can talk about the issues in books and deconstruct why and where these ideas came from, among other things.
Other points that Prose raised were about translations and the importance of remembering the layer between the choice of ‘tone and diction’ of the original author and of the translator and how they both play a part. With translations, she implies, we are essentially putting our trust in the translator to keep it similar for us. Also discussed was the freedom that writers have in choice and imagination. She talks about how authors are not usually friends of dictators and corporations for this very reason.
In the end, the only real advice that Prose has is to continue reading because there is never a hard and fast rule in writing. The book had some interesting observations and ideas throughout, and I know that any aspiring writer would enjoy it and get a lot out of it. As a non-aspiring creative writer I can only say that I still enjoyed some of the other aspects, as I mention above.
Review: I am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley
Title: I am Half-Sick of Shadows
Author: Bradley, Alan
Length: 288 pages
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Publisher / Year: Doubleday Canada / 2011
Source: From my parents for Christmas
Rating: 4/5
Why I Read It: I’ve been working my way through the series.
Date Read: 26/12/11
I reviewed the third in this series late in 2010. In that review I spoke a lot about the classism and racism that I saw in the series. After reading this book I would say that the issues still persist, but re-iterate that for me at least, just having the chance to talk them out is all that I needed. The books are set in an earlier time during which class prejudices were a bit more ingrained, and Flavia herself is so precocious as to really force them to be visible. While the issues are there and should be noted, I feel, I do think they are done in such a way that they work without reinforcing current classism.
This fourth instalment in the series is set over the holiday period when Buckshaw is taken over by a host of people as part of a film shooting. The de Luce family is still struggling with money and so have hired the place out to be the setting of a film. The sisters all have their own ideas, and Flavia of course sets herself in the middle of things as usual. As a side-story, Flavia is convinced that she can complete an experiment to capture Father Christmas, proving that he does in fact exist.
Again I have to point out how much I love the way sisterhood and the sisters are portrayed. I enjoy the ‘types’ each of the de Luce sisters portray and how these stereotypes play out through the book, but yet how Bradley can paint the characters as rounded despite that. Flavia is a science nerd and also shows the insecurities of her age, the middle sister Daphne is a reader and is constantly immersed in books, Ophelia, the eldest, is both overly confident and a typical pretty girl who cares only about her appearance. Although Flavia is the star of the show and focus of these books (and the most well-written of the characters, the others can seem flat by times), I can’t help but loving Daphne, myself, for obvious reasons. As she says on page 189:
“Books are like oxygen to a deep-sea diver [...] take them away and you might as well begin counting the bubbles.”
Again recommended to lovers of light mysteries and kick-ass heroines.
Event Discussion: The Mikado at the Roseville Performing Arts Studio
I had the pleasure this past weekend of visiting Mayowa, who blogs at Pens with Cojones and is working on his book. While there we went to see The Mikado at the Roseville Performing Arts Studio. I thought I would talk about it a little bit here because I had some strong reactions to the event.
I will begin by saying that the actors and actresses who performed in this play all did a great job. They knew their lines, they knew the songs, the sang well, all of that. Very well done. My issue is with the opera itself.
Photo courtesy of the RPA studio website.
The Mikado is a Gilbert and Sullivan opera that was originally written in London and opened in 1885. According to Wikipedia it was and is incredibly popular and has enjoyed many runs. The opera is set in a fictional Japanese village – evidently because interest in all things Japanese was in vogue at the time of writing. The play has little factual basis in Japanese history, however, being instead a satirical look at British institutions, which was easier to do by using a foreign setting.
All of that is rather interesting and sounds good. The issue is that the opera is full of stereotypes and prejudices against the Japanese people and cultures. The costumes, the mincing steps, the high pitched giggle they kept doing, the bowing, the tea, and so on.
I do believe that some works exhibit racism, classism, and sexism due to the time during which they were produced. Sometimes this is unavoidable and I agree with many others who I’ve seen discussing it around the blogosphere in terms of classic literature that while it is still problematic, it is still possible to enjoy the work around that or even because of that – examining why the author held the beliefs and stereotypes he or she did, why it is problematic, and so forth. I love too, with productions or retellings, where the racism or sexism is directly challenged through the new work.
This production, unfortunately, was a true one with only a few changes as are mentioned in the Wikipedia entry to update a few of the songs with more modern references. I wish the racism against the Japanese, the homophobia shown in certain scenes (two couples are dancing and switch partners and the two men are dancing and when they realize they shudder back, repulsed, for example), or the sexism was challenged or acknowledged in any way.
I’ve discussed above the racism in the opera, I want to briefly mention the sexism as well. The premise of the play is that The Mikado‘s son did something to encourage the affections of a lady in his father’s court. To avoid the law forcing him to marry her because of this he escaped and disguised himself as a travelling musician. He falls for a young lady in this unnamed village and so wants to marry her, but the first lady finds him. She is portrayed as hideously ugly and by the end of the opera someone else is forced to marry her to avoid punishment for a perceived crime.
Let’s examine this in more detail, shall we? Basically he broke the law such that he has to marry her. But everyone sides with him because she is ugly. Because, you know, even if there are laws to protect women our culture doesn’t accept that and always puts the blame on the woman and lets the man get away with it. And then we have another man ‘forced’ to trick her into marriage. It was all rather disturbing to me.
So while it was an enjoyable evening, the opera definitely grated on my nerves for the reasons above. Has anyone else seen this opera? I’d love to hear more opinions on it.
(In other news I also got to meet up with Mark of Maphead last Friday before flying to California! We had a really great time chatting and I look forward to stopping in his city again.)
Review: To ‘Joy my Freedom by Tera W. Hunter
Title: To ‘Joy my Freedom: Southern Black Women’s Lives and Labors After the Civil War
Author: Hunter, Tera W.
Length: 322 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, History, Politics, Race
Publisher / Year: Harvard University Press / 1997
Source: From Amazon.ca
Rating: 4.5/5
Why I Read It: The eighth read for The Real Help project project with Amanda.
Date Read: 15/01/12
Note: This is a project initiated by Amanda and I to read the books recommended by the Association of Black Women Historians as alternatives to The Help. Please see the dedicated page I created for more information and for a schedule. We are hoping that more readers join us and we are also looking for others to host discussions. For discussion of this title, do visit Amanda’s post.
In this book Hunter tells us the story, very fully researched and well-written, of five decades in the lives of black women in Atlanta. Starting shortly after the civil war and the migration of freed slaves to the cities of the south, including Atlanta, and ending with the migration of black men and women to Northern cities during World War I, Hunter provides a full and well-rounded view of life. Through the book Hunter discusses the civil war, reconstruction, political action and rights, worker’s rights, racism, sexism, classism, the growth of Jim Crow, lives outside of work in terms of activities and options, healthy, and more. Throughout she includes numerous quotes and discusses the lives of real women who lived during the period, giving voice to so many of the traditionally voiceless.
The biggest take away from this book is the extreme lack of options available to African Americans in Atlanta and the rest of the United States during the Jim Crow years. After the civil war prospects seemed fantastic but white fear ensured that the white majority population did everything they could to try to police the lives and bodies of African Americans and keep them dependent. For example, in policing options available for socializing outside of work hours, white workers were attempting to exert their control over the bodies and energy that they continued ‘theirs’.
The criminalization of a wide range of social behaviors framed as public health issues betrayed the frustrations of employers constantly foiled by intractable workers. The persistent efforts of employers to make domestic workers’ actions on and off the job an important part of civic debates is a testament to the resilient community infrastructure, autonomous spaces, and everyday resistance that were created by working-class-women. (page 212)
In a concerted effort between media, law enforcement, citizens, and elected officials a culture was codified into law that denied basic rights to a large group of citizens. In a resounding reminder of the importance of the media and the hold that even false reports have over us, especially when we see them over and over, Hunter links the race riot of 1906 with the large amount of negative articles the papers had been publishing (falsely) about black men raping white women. She says on page 127:
By sounding the clarion for black male castration and female sterilization in its stories leading up to the riot, the newspaper had induced the mob to link racial and sexual hysteria. [...] Despite the fact that the reported cases of rape were later to be proved groundless, the riot would go down in infamy as a quest for the preservation of white female dignity.
One thing that I appreciated about this book is that it didn’t gloss over controversial or unpleasant facts such as the racism that black washerwomen showed against Chinese owned laundries. More such examples are the classism showed by the African Americans who were more well off, and the colorism that was prevalent in some areas. By incorporating all facts from history and showing a rounded picture like this I found it much easier to see the characters are real people who lived their own complicated lives.
Definitely a book that I would highly recommend to all who are interested in politics, racial justice, or history. It is one of the most all-encompassing books I’ve read in some time and exceptionally well-written. Do check out Amanda’s post for discussion of the book.
African Reading Challenge + Birthday Party Pledge
Two things today that I’m really excited to share.
The first is that Kinna has officially announced / launched the African Reading Challenge, which I am incredibly excited to participate in and share with you here. I’ll be hosting a Nigerian Reading Week later in the year as part of the challenge, and will be trying to pull a few suggested reading lists together. My own reading list will come once I get home to my bookshelves – I’ve got to go through and see exactly what I have! I do want to read more Lusophone literature especially but am on a buying ban now so will check the shelves first.
As she says:
Challenge Period
January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012
Region
The entire African continent, including its island-states, which are often overlooked. Please refer to this Wikipedia “list of sovereign states and dependent territories in Africa”. Pre-colonial empires and regions are also included.
Reading Goal
5 books. That’s it. There will be no other levels. Of course, participants are encouraged to read more than 5 books. Eligible books include those which are written by African writers, or take place in Africa, or are concerned with Africans and with historical and contemporary African issues. Note that at least 3 books must be written by African writers.
Genres
- Fiction – novels, short stories, poetry, drama, children’s books. Note: You can choose to read a number of individual and uncollected short stories. In this case, 12 such stories would constitute 1 book. Individual poems do not count but books of poetry do.
- Non-fiction – memoirs, autobiographies, history and current events
Reading Suggestions
- Cover at least two regions, pick from North Africa, Southern Africa, East Africa, West Africa and Central Africa
- Include translated fiction from Arabic, Francophone and Lusophone literature
- You can mix classic and contemporary fiction
- If you are intend to read mostly non-fiction, then please include at least one book (out of the five) of fiction
I’m not inclined to push any reading philosophy, I would however like to encourage participants to broaden their knowledge of African literature.
I do hope that you will join in!!
I also wanted to share something that has been brought to my attention by Zetta Elliot, Jill of Rhapsody in Books, and Carleen of White Readers Meet Black Authors. The Birthday Party Pledge states:
I promise to give multicultural books as gifts to the children in my life for ONE year.
I promise to encourage them to read about and appreciate diversity in all its forms.
I commit myself to building a new generation of readers!
How cool is that? Now that I have a little niece myself I’m sure you’re not surprised to know that I’ve already sent books (to a 3 month old) including ones I picked up in Africa. I look forward to sharing much more reading diversity with her in the future.
And on that note – if anyone has great recommendations for Inuit or First Nations books from Canada for young readers, do please let me know!
Review: Hot Air by Jeffrey Simpson, Mark Jaccard, and Nic Rivers
Title: Hot Air: Meeting Canada’s Climate Change Challenge
Author: Simpson, Jeffrey, Mark Jaccard and Nic Rivers
Length: 280 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Environmental, Politics
Publisher / Year: McClelland and Stewart / 2005
Source: Unknown… tbr pile
Rating: 4/5
Why I Read It: I’ve been working my way through the series.
Date Read: 04/01/12
I used to be huge into environmentalism, but that faded a bit in the past two years as I got into other topics, thanks in large part to blogging. Reading the books for the Roommate Challenge is reminding me of this past interest as quite a few of the books deal with the environment and our actions in it.
One reason that I moved away from the environmental books and blogs is that they were often so unrealistic, saying in effect that changing our lifestyles would do everything and showing this naive hope that everyone would be willing to change – and that those around the world should basically be happy with what they have now instead of striving for a better life with more conveniences and thus more emissions. I am very happy to report that Hot Air shared my concerns! Energy efficiency, they say, is not the end or the only solution.
In this book the authors talk about the importance of climate change to the planet and especially to Canada, and the fact that climate change highlights the tragedy of the commons, where no one cares enough because it is shared space. They talk about Canada’s actions to date, or rather, lack of action, on the subject. They then talk about the dangers of both the environmental groups and of the business groups who both argue extreme points to both side. Rather than trying to appease either, they claim, the government should pursue options that can be tested and shown to work. None of the ideas now in place do any good as they rely on voluntary changes and programs with very high free-rider-ship, thus making them almost useless. Instead, they posit, the Canadian government should take lessons from other countries who are seeing success. Any plan, they say, should meet four criteria:
effectiveness at achieving environmental targets, economic efficiency, administrative feasibility, and political acceptance. (page 130)
In the final section of the book the authors lay out a number of solutions that they say meet the four targets. They also run them through a testing model to show the various levels of options and of success they would meet. Additionally, they prove that business wouldn’t suffer unduly – there will always be a bit of pain, they say, but their models prove these solutions are much sounder than others on the table which would cost a lot and do much less.
One big issue was the looking ahead sections where the authors talked about how the environment was proving more important to people at the time of writing and thus they saw the potential for more and swifter action. None of this, of course, has come to pass since their writing. I do think though, from what they said, that they would be very unsurprised at Canada withdrawing from the Kyoto accords as they talk about how it was a stupid decision to join in the first place with no plan, and with no plan implemented since that had any hope of meeting the targets.
Interesting book that shows both the hope and optimism of the time of writing and which shows some common sense and economically feasible options for Canadian climate change. I recommend it for Canadians interested in our options and policies, and for those from other countries interested in learning more about what some good options might look like.
Review: Wanted Women by Deborah Scroggins
Title: Wanted Women: Faith, Lies & The War on Terror: The Lives of Ayaan Hirsi Ali & Aafia Siddiqui
Author: Scroggins, Deborah
Length: 560 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Politics, Religion
Publisher / Year: Harper / 2012
Source: From the publisher for review.
Rating: 4/5
Why I Read It: I was intrigued by the combination of women.
Date Read: 30/12/11
Most of us have heard at least something about Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Aafia Siddiqui and one or the other (or both) is likely to generate strong reactions in anyone who hears their names. Ali was born in Somalia and immigrated to the Netherlands, becoming a fierce critic of Islam. Aafia Siddiqui was born in Pakistan, studied in the United States of America for many years, and became a wanted terrorist. Both have their loyal followers as well as their ardent haters. Both have led controversial lives and their stories are both full of inconsistencies and half-truths.
In this book Scroggins tells the stories of both women, alternating between the two through time. Throughout she highlights the inconsistencies in the stories of both women, showing that they both belong to extremes. Many in the West adore Ali, many in Pakistan and the Middle East adore Siddiqui. Both women have compelling stories and can claim the status of victim in some ways and both have managed to tell their stories in a way that ensures they come across as heroines, at least to some. Both have also managed to completely polarize the debate in their own way, completely ignoring and bypassing any middle ground – and there is a lot of it if we only ignore the extremes.
I was nervous going in that the book would lean toward one side or the other heavily and be prejudiced against the other side. Given that Scroggins is an American author I was of course more concerned that she would fully endorse Ali while demonizing Siddiqui. I was incredibly happy to see that this was not the case and that she managed to portray both sides humanely and evenly. The author highlights stereotypes and prejudices that are held in various parts of the world and the ways that these play into our beliefs and actions.
Ali’s story was most familiar to me as I had read two works by her previously. Both of them resonated with me when I first read them but I do wonder, as with many books I read years ago, how they would sit with me now. One thing that Scroggins kept highlighting was the way in which Western academics, pundits and feminists eagerly embraced her, often saying things along the lines of how they were happy to see someone from that background admitting the things they always though. This really struck me and I think that a lot can be taken from these simple statements. We are so ready to believe anyone who confirms our suspicions, often without much research to back up those facts. Rather than a nuanced view, we eagerly embrace things that are often untrue. The implications are enormous and I know this is what I will stick with me most from this book.
My biggest issue with the book was the way it was framed in the introduction. The author talks about why she chose to write about these two women and why, and in doing so she says that she found their stories so similar in many ways and so found it interesting that they ended up on such opposite extremes later in life. In reading their life stories though, and from what little I had known about them both before, there are few similarities beside the fact that they are both non-Western females raised in semi-practising Muslim families. This comparison of the two and claiming of ‘similarities’ prejudiced me against the book and the author to a large degree and made me incredibly wary reading it. In the end, however, as I reached the end and the closing thoughts, I had to agree that the two stories work well together in highlighting many issues – though comparing the two isn’t as easy as the author might say.
In total the book was interesting especially in examining the polarization we are facing today in the media and in the world. The way we latch on to what seems right or familiar rather than looking for the truth in any situation is telling and is problematic. While the book wasn’t perfect, and I can’t speak to some of the facts behind it, it was definitely an interesting read.
Band January 2012: Reading for Projects and Goals
B.A.N.D., Bloggers’ Alliance of Nonfiction Devotees, launched in July and is being run by a small group of bloggers as a way to promote the love of nonfiction amount bloggers. Each month a discussion question will be put forward giving everyone and anyone the chance to respond. If you are interested in hosting a month do check out the tumblr site and let us know!
Kim of Sophisticated Dorkiness hosted the first discussion, asking What’s your favorite type of nonfiction? in July. In August I led the discussion, asking How did you get into nonfiction? In September Cass wanted to know about nonfiction audiobooks, asking if we had listened and enjoyed. In October Ash asked what our favorite nonfiction anthologies were. In November Amanda asked if we read nonfiction to help support a cause. Last month Erin guest hosts from Erin Reads and asked (leave your response on how we determine truth in the nonfiction that we read. This month Joy asks:
What book or books have you used or are you using to support a goal, resolution, or project?
A large portion of my reading – both fiction and nonfiction – is in support of various projects or goals that I have ongoing. One of these is The Real Help project with Amanda in which we are reading through the list of books recommended by the Association of Black Women Historians. Half of these books are nonfiction accounts of black women’s lives through slavery and to the present. They are fascinating and are filling in many gaps in my education, as much of it was never learned in the various history courses I took.
Another project is the Year of Feminist Classics reading project which we just announced for 2012. It will run from February 2012 through to February 2013, this year with twelve hosts and each of us leading one book and co-hosting on various others. Once again I somehow ended up with the first month, so I hope that you will join us in reading Feminism is for Everybody by bell hooks next month. These books fill in the gaps in my feminist theory, as I try to ensure that the feminism I practice also takes into account the various other forms of oppression including classism, racism, and other privileges.
Here is our full reading list:
- February – Feminism is for Everybody by bell hooks (Amy)
- March – The Book of the City of Ladies by Christine De Pizan (Jean)
- April – Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity by Julia Serano (Cass)
- May – Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë read alongside Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (Iris)
- June – Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg (Emily)
- July – Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Nancy)
- August – The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (Lauren)
- September – Borderlands/La Frontera by Gloria Anzaldua (Melissa)
- October – The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan (Jodie)
- November – Beyond the Veil by Fatema Mernissi (Ana)
- December – Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis (Emily Jane)
- January – Feminism Without Borders: Decolonizing Theory, Practising Solidarity by Chandra Talpade Mohanty (Eva)
Another reading project I have this year is the Roommate Challenge, where I’m trying to read the books that have been sitting unread on my shelf the longest. Many (in fact most) of these are nonfiction.
What about you – is your nonfiction reading a part of a goal or project you are working on?
Event Discussion: Stori Ya at Black Theatre Workshop in Montreal
A couple of months ago I was in Montreal and while there was lucky enough to attend Stori Ya at the Black Theatre Workshop. While Toronto and Montreal are known to rarely get along, and people tend to take one side or the other, I will give Montreal extra points for having this fantastic theatre group in its city.
From their website:
The mission of Black Theatre Workshop is: to encourage and promote the development of a Black and Canadian Theatre, rooted in a literature that reflects the creative will of Black Canadian writers and artists, and the creative collaborations between Black and other artists. BTW aims to promote and produce Black theatre that educates, entertains and delights its audiences. The company strives to create a greater cross-cultural understanding by its presence and the intrinsic value of its work.
It sounds absolutely fantastic and from the one show I was able to catch, I can only hope to be around to see more in the future. If you are in Montreal, do check out their site and catch a show if you can.
Stori Ya is the story of a Canadian woman named Maria, originally from Tanzania. She starts the show by welcoming us to her house, and the rest of the play is a monologue as she invites and cajoles us to join her for her last dinner before her home is taken from her. Written by Joan M. Kivanda, directed by Millie Tresierra, and starring Warona Setshwaelo this play is a powerful and moving story of life growing up in Tanzania, of moving to Canada, and of ultimately living life to the fullest. Maria is a character who has lived through much pain but who has also experienced many joys.
Throughout the play Maria speaks in English, Swahili, and Nyamwezi. This was done purposely, as the writer notes in the brochure, to ensure that no one can assume that they know Maria. While we learn a lot about her throughout the play, we can never truly know her as a person just as we can never truly know anyone that we meet, no matter their background, unless we spend time and effort to do so. Although we may have assumptions and stereotypes, these may be proven false and there is no one universal experience.
The writer, director, and actress all did a fantastic job and the end result was a play that conveyed so much about life, about living, and about the power of stories on our lives. If they end up with more showings, I recommend you not miss out. And do check out the Black Theatre Workshop website for more information and events.
Review: Swing Low by Miriam Toews
Title: Swing Low
Author: Toews, Miriam
Length: 228 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Publisher / Year: Harper Perennial / 2011
Source: TLC book tours
Rating: 4/5
Why I Read It: I enjoyed the few fiction reads by this author that I’ve read.
Date Read: 27/12/11
Toews father lived his whole life with manic depression, managing to raise two daughters with his wife, and be a renowned teacher in his Mennonite community. After retiring, his mental health suffered and he ended up in a hospital until the day he took his own life.
In this book Toews writes his account, from his perspective, as she imagines it. The fact that it was written from his perspective does bring up questions of accuracy. Throughout reading, my biggest concern was that the author was writing what she thought was important from her memory and perspective rather than what may have been important to her father. The fact that she references numerous times the amount of notes and files he kept alleviates this somewhat but I still wonder how she chose what to include and what not to.
Despite the accuracy issues, Toews has written an incredibly complex and touching story of mental illness that highlights the effects of the stigmatization of mental illness. He managed to outdo all expectations, proving his therapist wrong. At the same time, though, we see how the ways in which mental illness is stigmatized hurt him. He was unable to open up to his therapist, he was unable to truly receive the help that he needed and should have been getting.
The writing itself was powerfully done and you really felt yourself there with her father as he struggled to regroup and combat the confusion he was feeling as he wrote. You could see why he made the choices that he did and the ways in which they affected others. You could also really feel how the treatment he was receiving from those around him was hurting him. I’d read a couple of works of fiction by this author previously and found them really well done but this memoir truly highlights her skill and compassion.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in mental health advocacy, memoirs, or emotional reads. I originally was supposed to be part of the TLC tour for this book but shipping issues and my travel got in the way, but I’m glad I finally got a chance to read it, even if late. Do check out the link above for more reviews.
