Dreaming: Hard Luck And Good Times In America [Paperback]

Carolyn See (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 5, 1996

In this bittersweet and beautifully written memoir, Carolyn See embarks on nothing less than a reevaluation of the American Dream. Although it features a clan in which dysfunction was something of a family tradition, Dreaming is no victim's story. With a wry humor and not a trace of self-pity, See writes of fights and breakups and hard times, but also of celebration and optimism in the face of adversity. The story of See's family speaks for the countless people who reached for the shining American vision, found it eluded their grasp, and then tried to make what they had glitter as best they could.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Novelist See recalls the deeply dysfunctional family of alcoholics, addicts, suicides and pornographers with sharp humor.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Without self-pity, novelist (Golden Days, LJ 9/15/86), English professor (UCLA), and book critic See here offers a sobering account of drug abuse in her family.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 343 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press (May 5, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520204824
• ISBN-13: 978-0520204829
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #256,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real life!, August 16, 2001

By 

Janine Mai "avantgardener" (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dreaming: Hard Luck And Good Times In America (Paperback)

This book left me with that feeling that you get after a long ride on a bike - wrung out and exhausted, but glad I went. Carolyn See holds nothing back, and this is at times a harrowing story. But it's ultimately about redemption, and of walking through fire and coming out the other side a better person. It's also beautifully written, with a style that is unpretentious and effortless. If you grew up in a "perfect" family, or even one that's relatively functional (bad pun - sorry!), you probably won't appreciate this book. If you grew up with alcoholics and divorce and police coming to the door and living out of cars, and like that, then you'll recognize a lot of the people in this book. I loved this book for Carolyn See's honesty, and also for her wit; she is a joy to read, and I would recommend this book to anyone (except maybe the Cleavers). Enjoy!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love This Woman, July 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dreaming: Hard Luck And Good Times In America (Paperback)

As an undergraduate, I had the immense pleasure of taking two of Professor See's literature courses. I was so excited to find out that she had written a memoir, because I was also taking a women's autobiography course at the time and couldn't wait to see how her unique personality would come across on paper. Dreaming is a wonderful, sad, and hilarious book. Despite her experiences, she never gets bogged down in feeling sorry for herself or preaching to the reader. It's like she is telling you this story as a confidant without feeling the need to explain the obvious or excuse herself. I loved every minute of it, and I could completely relate to her affectionate disdain for Victorville (I come from Rosamond---an even worse desert town not that far away). I soon passed it on to my mother and older sister, and they thanked me for telling them about this book and Ms. See's other novels, especially Golden Days. I treasure this book and will always feel so grateful for having the chance to meet this amazing author and be in her classes.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book, May 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dreaming: Hard Luck And Good Times In America (Paperback)

At times, this book left me stunned. This is a well written autobiographical account of the author's life, but also, in many respects a social history of a section of post WWII Los Angeles. See takes her own life and places it within the broader context of the history of California and America. I am sure that her experiences are common, but this seems like a device to lessen the shame and sting of coming from a poor, dysfunctional background.

Although See attained career success, the book is organized around her personal relationships and at times you just wonder how she survived emotionally.

What also struck me were the educational and economic opportunities available to poor white people in Los Angeles back then. But See doesn't seem to acknowledge that there was a social structure in place to make sure that she had opportunity so that her hard work would pay off.

This is a great book and I highly recommend it.