Customer Reviews

I Grew Up Little: Finding Hope in a Big God

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was Patsy Clairmont's autobiography, where she talks about her family, how she met her husband, her speaking ministry, friendships, and her struggle with agoraphobia, anxiety, and depression. The book was short and to the point. It was a fun little book to read. We see this woman who can get up and speak, yet, she comes through as a real person like you and me, someone we can all relate to. And her, describing her struggles with anxiety and agoraphobia, makes her all the more real. She lets us know that even though she was a Christian at the time, this did happen to her. The stories about her family, particularly her oldest son, were very amusing.

Patsy has such a way with words that you could "hear her speak" through her book. I only wish she had focused more on the "how" she overcame the agoraphobia rather than so much history related to her family. But I loved it nonetheless and have already recommended it to others.

Althought I did enjoy this book, it had so little to do with agoraphobia. Each chapter tells of a different person in her life. Her mother, father, aunts and so on. There was only like 2 chapters that I felt touched on the agoraphobia and then it was like she simply overcame it overnight. I gave it 4 stars because I do love the stories of her Maw Maw etc., but if you are looking for something specifically on agoraphobia, I think you might be disappointed.

This book was a good read. However, I expected to learn more about Ms. Clairmont's agoraphobia. That was the reason I had bought the book. Still, if you enjoy biographies, this one is fun to read.

Another excellent book that inspires, lightens the heart and mind and gives a good look and a journey in life.

I loved this book. It was great to find out more about Patsy growing up.

I've seen feisty Patsy at Women of Faith conferences. You would never guess she was once an agoraphobic. I plan to loan this to my niece's husband, who is a big germaphobe. Maybe he can glean some strength from it. Patsy's story tells us how we must hand our fears to God. We cannot control nearly as much as we think we can. As always, she uses a big dose of humor and scripture to illustrate her points. I plan to read it again soon!

I also grew up little and found many memories flooding in while reading this autobiography. It is clear that self-worth and self-pity are both aspects of life which need to be faced honestly. The changes Patsy Clairmont shared give hope for those feeling hopeless and helpless.
Elaine (Peter's wife)

If you come to this book looking for some kind of structured plan of how Patsy worked through her agoraphobia years you are not going to find it. I understand the want for this being a recovering agoraphobic myself and seeking in the past anything that even held the word agoraphobia and hoping it had the "fix". She actually does give the answer to agoraphobia, but it's not an "easy" one and you will miss so much more in this book if that is all you are looking for. Read deeper and you will find hope and inspiration. You will learn to trust more deeply and lean on God through all things. She shows her spunky side that we all know and love, but she also shows a different side as she talks about areas of pain in her life. I just finished it and am going to read it again since I find things after a second reading that I may have missed through the first one...I can't wait.

I met Patsy last year (2006) at the Women of Faith conference and later bought all books available by her! She knows what it's like to hurt and be fearful big time--yet she knows how to take care of those feelings! A most wonderful person and author.