Customer Reviews

Beauty Before Comfort

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I came from an industrial town in Tennessee, and Allison Glock's wonderful story of her grandmother, who lived in that kind of environment, really resonated with me. Aneita Jean Blair's life is not the kind that usually gets the full biographical treatment, especially from a granddaughter.

The second outstanding part about this book is the writing. Lines such as "Just walking through the house required lurching effort," written about the death of a family member, make the story more real.

Having read some of the reviews here on Amazon, I cannot understand the hostility that some people convey about this book. My favorite line from an angry reader was this one: "I think if you right (sic) a book you should actually know what you are talking about."

That line--complete with spelling that shouts ignorance--says it all. Allison Glock does know what she is talking about, and tells it very, very well.

I read the first reviews that came out about Beauty Before Comfort, and, to quote Yogi Berra, it was deja vue all over again: this book could have been written about my mother. In fact, I could have written it!
Although my mother stuck, more or less, with one main man (my father) from the time she turned sixteen, I couldn't help comment on the similarities between Aneita Jean and Mary Churchman (my mom). Those many points of comparison made this delicious reading. I believe anyone with a flamboyant female relative in her background would find this book a delight. For me, it filled in many areas of my mother's life during that same era (30s and 40s) that she has pulled a gauzy curtain over - now that preserving her self-image as a devoted wife and mother is more important to her than creating the well-bred hussy image.
Beauty Before Comfort - what a great title! It sort of says it all, and this book reads as well as a pair of beautiful and sexy sling-back high-heeled pumps: even if the shoes were borrowed from a cousin, aren't quite the right size, and pinch horribly by the end of the evening, by God, they sure look great!

I just wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to read my book. It means a lot to me and I appreciate your interest, even from the few of you who didn't ultimately enjoy the experience. (Although I will admit it hurts to be called "garbage" by a stranger.) For those of you who also wrote reviews, thanks again. Your feedback matters.
Happy reading,
Allison Glock

Allison Glock has fashioned a lovely little book about her grandmother growing up in West Virginia during the Depression and World War II.

The author shares with us anecdotes, both happy and sad, about the hardscrabble existence of those days where working in a pottery factory was how people made their living and social life was pretty much confined to one's holler or at best the next one down the road. Nobody of that generation ever left town except to fight in a war.

Glock is especially adept at describing the townspeople and their feelings, drawing the reader into the story and enabling us to feel so close to the characters. The section describing Petey Dink is especially touching.

Kudos to author Glock. She has done a marvelous job. This book reminded me of David Baldacci's recent novel, "Wish You Well." Whereas his book is a work of fiction concerning tough times for a family in Virginia, Glock's accounting of her grandmaother's life is all the more interesting because it is true.

Keep on writing, Allison. You are very good.

Allison Glock is a poet. Her words are stark and striking, and her storytelling is mesmerizing. After meeting Aneita Jean, I wanted to go back through the years and get acquainted with my own grandmothers, hear their stories and live vicariously. I felt an intimate attachment to the memoir, as I grew up in Newell, WV, and currently reside in Chester, and my parents live on Phoenix Avenue across from Aneita Jean's childhood home. I frequented Thornberry's store, growing up in the 70's, and I still think about it every time I drive through the town and see the building that once housed the store. I was a bit taken aback by some of the harsh assessments Glock levied on WV and Hancock County, but I understand that is her truths, and Aneita Jean's, but not necessarily mine (I escaped for 15 years but found myself yearning to return, so I did). I have recommended this book to all my fellow "Newellies", and I look forward to the next work by Glock.

Allison,

You're a great little writer. That you evoked this much emotion from people reading your book says that you have the gift of telling a story passionately. You have stirred up some powerful emotions that goes to the heart of your ability to write. When people who can't spell or put a sentence together are moved to write a review of your book, you're doing something right. Either they love you or they hate you, but they are reading you.

I went to school with your mother, until I was one of the ones who got out of Hancock County when I moved to California. Your mother must be very proud. I sure would be.

Your book brings back many precious memories, even memories of some of the hardships grabbed something in my heart. You have written a very accurate description of the people and the area, and you have been able to tell it like it was while also conveying a loving image of your grandmother and the times.

This is your first book. Incredible!!! I gave you four stars because I'm saving that fifth one for your next book.

Sharin (Fletcher) Bowers

No author since Davis Grubb (Night of the Hunter and many other titles)died 20 years ago has communicated the essense of the West Virginia panhandle pottery and mining towns and their people with such vivid and compelling accuracy... and eloquence. Allison Glock has a stunning talent to come up with words that bring her characters and pages to life. This memoir of her grandmother doesn't duck the bawdy intimate details, which are compellingly, almost Jerry Springer-ish funny, and reveals with impact the bleak kind of John Steinbeck depression era drudgery and unfulfilled aspirations of the lives she articulates with such feeling. I think she will become a hugely successful author if that's what she chooses to be. I loved this book!

An outstanding book; well-written and absorbing. I know her history, her grandmother and her Aunt Jill. The geography and conditions were and are the same as the author has described. The job is to leave the area. Most of us went to W.V. colleges which made it even more challenging to move on into our lives. Many people were stuck and continue to be. She touches on the alcoholism; it's epidemic as almost every family in the Valley experiences the devastating consequences of the result of hopelessness. An excellent writer.

I read this book a couple of weeks ago and have read many since and this one still sticks in my brain. I really enjoyed this book. Allison's grandmother reminded me a lot of my paternal grandmother. I really enjoyed her writing and look foward to reading more books by her.

This is such a poignant story, compellingly told. I'm a guy and I didn't expect to be so taken by the book. But I was. It read like a great novel.