Customer Reviews

Daddy was a Bad Boy

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Floriana Hall has written an inspiring story for people of all ages. Her life story shows that life can be worth living, even cheerfully, in spite of poverty or obstacles. Even her father's immoral and irresponsible behavior does not deter her from seeking and achieving happiness. And she has tried to understand and to forgive her father as is evident in Chapter 26 where she has included his letters and commented on them.
Her book shows that she has always had an excellent sense of humor, has made friends easily, and enjoyed life in spite of real hunger and hardships.
As I read her book, I was reminded of the novel and movie "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith; it first appeared in the 1940s. Both Betty Smith and Floriana Hall reveal that material goods are not necessary for happiness; you can be poor and and still be happy. And you can live through tragedies and adversity and still be happy. Floriana's positive outlook on life and her Christian values have enabled her to do so. But there is much more spirit and life in her book than I can tell in a few words. It's well written, down to earth, homey, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it

What else can be said about this book? The other reviews have covered about all. I could not put this book down after I started to read. I was appalled at "Daddy's" flagrant behavior. But Floriana apparently survived it really well. Her Mother is probably a Saint in Heaven!! I could really relate to the period of time starting in the 50's. Especially the "flea hop" at the skating rink. I used to do that. Give this book a read thru. You will not be disappointed.

Floriana Hall is one of a generation of great tale-tellers. Born on October 2, 1927, just before the start of the Great Depression, Floriana's generation is of the last to remember growing up and enduring incredible hardship and poverty in this country. To add to her family's privation was the philandering and deceiving nature of her father. DADDY WAS A BAD BOY is Floriana's story.

Floriana's family was no stranger to hard times, many days eating only bread smeared with lard and sprinkled with sugar. At times when her father, the sole bread-winner of the family, was missing for days, weeks, or months on end, Floriana watched her mother go without meals to ensure that the children could eat, or beg for credit simply to buy a loaf of bread. She recalls living in homes with outhouses or homes too small for their family, bread lines and rationing during the war, and even times when she had to endure the harsh and unfair punishments doled out by her stern grandfather.

Still, Floriana managed to enjoy her childhood. Although her family was uprooted frequently, she still managed to maintain top grades, make many friends, and have her fair share of fun. In DADDY WAS A BAD BOY, Floriana recalls such things as listening to radio programs, roller skating and ice skating with friends, and playing the piano.

While DADDY WAS A BAD BOY is a mesmerizing memoir of life growing up in the `20's and `30's, taking the reader all the way to present day, it is made even more so by weaving the tale of Floriana's father, who was uncaring, philandering, and deceitful at best. The reader is able to feel the pain of a family forgotten through Floriana's eyes and ultimately witness the repentance of a sick man through his own letters.

As with most memoirs, the reader must pay close attention to names while reading DADDY WAS A BAD BOY, as family trees tend to tangle together a labyrinth of names that can blur together. Additionally, Hall alternately refers to her father as "Dad" and "Luke" - perhaps highlighting her own ambiguous feelings about just who this man was to her - which can tend to throw off a reader who is not careful. However, the story itself is so compelling, a reader would not likely need worry about not paying close enough attention.

Overall, DADDY WAS A BAD BOY is a gripping tale of a life virtually unknown to most of us today - life before modernization such as TV's, microwave ovens, and frozen dinners - and Floriana Hall a testament to the human spirit. Says Floriana, "All my life, no matter what happened, I never dwelled on the negatives. It's a good thing, as many were to come. But my happy nature, along with prayer and positive thinking, kept me smiling." (p. 11)

No doubt, DADDY WAS A BAD BOY would keep a reader smiling as well.

I'm so glad to have read Daddy Was a Bad Boy by Floriana Hall. The author is very candid in her portrayal of her dad and her family life. It's hard to believe that she went through so much adversity in her life, yet still maintains a positive outlook.

This book is a must read for everyone. It keeps the reader interested all the way through and keeps one guessing as to what 'Dad' will do next. Daddy Was a Bad Boy would be an excellent choice for book clubs and discussions. It is a great portrayal of what life was like in the Great Depression.

This book really works, for several reasons. On a surface level, the author's memory of events is staggering; she covers an entire lifetime with details of names, places, events and even the prices of food and clothing items, almost in diary form. This is all extremely interesting. Her father's behavior is another level, and quite appalling reading; one wonders how any man could treat his family this way.
But the deepest and most impressive level is how this family lived and endured and ultimately found happiness through love for one another. Daddy may have been the intended focus, but in the telling of his life, his daughter celebrates something much deeper and long-lasting, the triumph of the human spirit. Congratulations to her, and to her amazing mother.

Just finished about the warmest, most truthful book I've ever read. God works miracles and Floriana's life is a testimony to His all-embracing love and faithfulness. I believe her father truly repented and is now in heaven with her truly saintly mother.

Nearly everyone has skeletons in a closet. Some of us hesitate to reveal them. However, Floriana Hall bravely reveals her childhood and teenage years during the depression and grief brought by a father who abandoned not only his wife and family, but cohabitated with other women and had other families. Not only had he abandoned his moral and religious faith, but disillusioned children form his many families.

Floriana Hall bravely brings forth this area of her life and with the purpose of encouraging all having a disturbing childhood, to not let this prevent others to achieve happiness and develop a fine homelife for their families. Floriana's faith in God has brought her through her trials and, at the same time, brought much encouragement and happiness to all who know her as a caring, compassionate human being. I am blessed calling her "my friend."

"Daddy Was A Bad Boy" is a powerful book for it's slim size this dynamic story, told with courage and amazing stamina is surely one of the best I've ever read! It should be a 21st century classic. Telling the truth of human nature with sensitivity. Your way with words are pictureque without being trite. The poet in you weaves the lives through out into a full bloom and the end epilogue haunts me. This is not to be read once, I know I will be returning again and again to enjoy it.

Daddy Was a Bad Boy by Floriana Hall

This is a small book, written in a matter-of-fact style, but it packs a punch. This is essentially an autobiography though the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Despite the adversity they face, the character of these people shines through brightly. It's a true story that most of us would find difficult to believe; a story of a man with an insatiable appetite for sex, a huge, hungry ego and the selfishness of a sociopath. It is also the story of the fourteen children he sired by 3 different, simultaneous wives. Yes, he was a bigamist, a philanderer and an incestuous child molester, and they called him Daddy. Surprisingly, with numerous moves, many days of empty bellies, and a few articles of clothing, the love of their heroic mother(s) kept these children on the straight and narrow. They found happiness where they could, excelled in school, worked to support the family and tried hard to be very different from their Daddy. There is something quite compelling about this story, and I found myself thinking about the characters throughout the day, anxious to get back to the book to find out what would next happen in the lives of these seemingly normal, middle-American people. I would recommend this book to anyone - it is a trip back to "the old days" but reveals that under that wholesome appearance, many families may have been similarly dysfunctional in a time when certain things just weren't talked about.

After reading "Daddy was a bad boy" I could only marvel at the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity as portrayed by the author. I also grew up during the depression so I know what it's like to be unsure of the next meal. Although frequently out of work during the mid thirties, my daddy was loyal to his family and never strayed. I can only imagine the anxiety and insecurity of a young child denied the reassurance of a father during times of stress. I can relate to Floriana's book since my mother survived a similiar situation with a
physically abusive father who was derelict in his paternal duties. Just like Floriana, my mother rose above her early hardships and disappointments and lived a useful, productive and happy life.I admire the courage it took to write such a book.I recommend this book to anyone who harbors resentments for past injustices. It will help them accept the past and move on ---- CAJ