A Bowl of Cherries: A Memoir [Paperback]

Tekla Dennison Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 4, 2002

When Tekla was thirteen, her mother committed suicide four years after her father died. Tekla's twenty-three-year-old sister, Alyce, a working mother and abused spouse, became her guardian. This memoir presents their journey from a tragedy-filled life in a bleak railroad town to one of victory over impossible odds. The two sisters encounter not only the death of their parents and domestic violence, but other fearsome and timeless demons: a fight for their lives, attempted murder, rape, abuse, kidnapping, and poverty. They also experience the kindness of strangers, delight in the humorous moments of everyday life, and discover the strength borne of the love between two sisters. Together they struggle to understand and ultimately define their roles as women and prevail against terrible odds. This often sad chronicle celebrates their triumphs and ultimately leaves us with the knowledge that we can shape our own destiny and accomplish our goals despite adversities.

Product Details

• Paperback: 201 pages
• Publisher: PublishAmerica; 1St Edition edition (November 4, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591296900
• ISBN-13: 978-1591296904
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,978,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tekla Dennison Miller was born in East Syracuse, NY. Both her parents died by the time she was 13 and an older sister became her guardian. Her work as a teacher in South Central Los Angeles after the riots and with mentally challenged soldiers in Germany prepared her for her 20 year career in corrections where she became the warden of a men's maximum security and a women's multi-level prisons near Detroit, MI. She has puplished 2 memoirs and 2 novels. Among her many awards she was given a honorary doctorate degree in humane studies when she was the commencement speaker at Cazenovia College, NY.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm Your Heart, Stiffen Your Spine, December 17, 2002

By 

"etindurango" - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Bowl of Cherries: A Memoir (Paperback)

Look no further than A Bowl of Cherries if you want to read a compelling story about victory over some of the toughest circumstances imaginable. More happened in Tekla Miller's young life than one would think possible outside of a Hollywood scriptwriter's imagination: her father's injury in a train wreck and his subsequent death, discovery of her mother's suicide, abuse by her brother-in-law, rape, extreme poverty, flight, fire and third-degree burns, deprivation. These difficulties might have made Tekla Miller bitter and hard. Instead, with the help of her equally remarkable sister Alyce, Tekla learned how to use her personal tragedies like refining fire, and emerged strong, certainly defiant, immensely capable, happy, and with a great sense of humor intact.

In recounting her story, Ms. Miller leavens the dramatic saga of her teen years with funny moments (check out driving lessons, Tekla-style, and you'll never want your own child behind the wheel of a car!), always showing herself to be quick-witted and up to the task of coping with whatever challenges come her way. Her sister, too, showed great ingenuity in creating a life for Tekla and her own children that approximated normal, while getting her own college degree and ensuring Tekla did as well--all during an era when women were facing great odds against independence. This memoir celebrates the extraordinary love between two sisters and the great triumph possible in even the most difficult life. This is truly a book to add courage and heart to every reader.