Customer Reviews

Looks Like Howard

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

 

 

In this memoir, Kambitsch really nails the smallest moments of family and childhood all under the shadow of her dead father. It sounds like a sad story from the outside. Six children left fatherless, a grieving, lovely widow left to fend for them all.

But it's not what you think.

What makes this book different from the typical early childhood trauma memoir is Kambitsch's irreverent and hilarious narrating voice. She has all the flair of an author like David Sedaris and his underhanded humor, and she is able to capture the conversations, the rules of the childhood games (like "Playing Jesus"), and the portraits of her family that really make the story pop.

Kambitsch sneaks in some poignant and sad issues and then tears them apart with her sarcastic and straightforward humor. In the end, you will love this family for their imperfections.

It's refreshingly subtle and smart writing.

One of the best and most entertaining reads I've had in quite some time. Sure, it was extra-special reading a memoir that took place in familiar home-territory, with so-familiar-that-it's-scary parallels that happen in many large, Catholic family settings.....but mostly it's just beautiful imagination shining onto paper, weaving a tapestry of humor, wackiness, honesty, awareness and insight to which many readers will instantly relate. The ending was unexpected and delightful (gave me chills, actually). I look forward to more titles by this author in the future!

A powerful read -- packed with self-deprecating humor, fantastic turns of phrase,incredible emotion, and insightful revelations arising from mundane everyday life. And best of all,the ending is especially satisfying even though (and maybe because) it's not wrapped up with a perfect bow. This book is enjoyable not only because Kambitsch's writing is fantastic, but also because the story is compelling and vibrant in a very believable way.

I really enjoyed this book. Ms. Kambitsch (rhymes with damn bitch! (-:) reveals a fascinating childhood and coming-of-age in this funny, yet poignant memoir. If you ever get to Dayton, OH, she enacts scenes from Shaggy Hair in occasional performance art with Maribeth -- you just have to read the book!

... In the 1960's, this might be the story he would write. Except Patricia Kambitsch makes it clear when this memoir extends into the occasional fictional fantasy. And her brilliance of fantasy reflects a sensitive adult that can inhabit and feel deeply for the little girl experiencing the tragedies of her youth, but not understanding them at the time.

The crux of the story (why you should read this) is that she reates such a vivid sense of how children view their own lives, that you may relive the wonder of your own childhood through new eyes she bestows upon you, the reader. She revives the immediacy of experience and the meaningfulness of everything and anything - a word, a pet, a blanket - as a child sees them at the time of experience. Her adult reflections bring the edge of humor to the story, where all the real-world characters of one's life - big siblings, parent, neighbors - are portrayed with a biting comedy originating from years of storymaking and empathy.

So, if David Sedaris had been born a girl in the 60's, he might be as funny as this, but we would would not have the incredible fantasies recreated here, speaking with the truth of self-told fictions in a real and rich inner life.