Virginia Allain (USA: FL) (2007/01/29): Growing up, in a dysfunctional family, shapes and motivates Jeannette Walls. She loves and accepts her self-absorbed, artistic mother and her visionary, impractical and alcoholic father. The chaos of her childhood is simply part of life. Don't other three year olds cook their own hotdogs, accidentally catching her dress on fire and then get checked out of the hospital prematurely by a father when they can't pay the bill? Her mother greets each new hardship as an experience while her father says it will toughen them up. She and her three siblings raise themselves as the family misfortunes compound and their lifestyle disintegrates further and further. Eventually she realizes that she must save herself and let her parents continue their downward spiral as they choose. She's quite matter-of-fact about her childhood and doesn't whine or feel sorry for herself. It's amazing to see her survival skills and that she managed to grow, educate herself and go on to a life of achievement as an adult. This is a fast read, that inspires and makes one think about what it takes to overcome adversity. vallain connie paquette (USA: MA) (2007/08/27): This book pulls you in at the first page.. an amazing story.
