Customer Reviews

Riding in Cars with Boys: Confessions of a Bad Girl Who Makes Good

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

My curiosity was piqued while watching previews for the movie version of Riding In Cars With Boys. I remember thinking it would make a great book. Well, imagine my surprise.... Reading this book started off like a trip down High School Lane. The further I read, however, I realized I was just a mere goody-two-shoes in comparison.

Beverly Donofrio, raised in a typical family home, was a smart girl. But something happened along the way, and before we know it, Beverly is a rebellious boy-crazy teenager getting felt up in the back seats of cars and drinking. With no hopes of going to college in sight, Beverly stops trying in school, trying to please her parents, trying in general. Ending up pregnant, married and divorced by 19, Beverly begins a journey of drugs, sex, alcohol and parties, all with her son in tow.

Riding In Cars With Boys is the story of a girl who craves attention while eluding responsibilities, about growing up while raising a child, about innocence lost too early. May be a triumphant novel in some aspects by book's end, and the long row to hoe in order to get there holds many lessons. Would be an excellent read for a teen on the brink of adulthood -- what better way to tell them how NOT to live than with this book. Excellent writing by Beverly Donofrio, and what guts to tell it like it is.

I didn't know what to expect going into this book but once I started I couldn't put it down. I was astonished at Bev's behavior and they way she treated her son as well as herself. There were even many moments when I wanted to reach into the book and shake her silly. In the end I applauded her for who she became and what she overcame.

I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who has a teenager that thinks they know it all and there are very little consequences to having sex, doing drugs and thinking school is unimportant.

I know my children will be reading this book on day w/my encouragement.

Engrossing autobiography and quick read about a woman who grows up while raising her son. This well-written book is not only about the author's journey as a mother, but also about her maturing relationship with her strict Italian parents. Donofrio writes candidly about her teenage pregnancy and how it impacted her relationships and life goals (such as pursuing a college education). She does not shy away from her mistakes, recalling freely the impact that her self-indulgent hippie days had on her young son. Yet she allows readers to view her story through their own moral lenses. Interesting account of a rugged individual doing her best with the hand she was dealt.

I was in the bookstore looking for a book to keep me busy. Drew Barrymore is one of my favorite actresses and seeing her on the cover is what inspired me to read the book. I hadn't seen the movie so I didn't really have a good idea of what to expect.
I'm really glad I read this book. It was quick, easy to read, and very interesting. It's about a girl who gets pregnant in high school, leading her to marriage and a family. I had a couple of friends that had babies in high school and it was NOT easy for them. Beverly is not your typical mother, but she seems to be a good one. She really cares for her son and they develop a close relationship. In the course of the book you really see Beverly grow: getting rid of her scumbag husband, getting an education, and following her dream of becoming a writer. Although her family tends to criticize her, there is no doubt that they love her; and it is great to see her relationship with them evolve.

Everyone knew a girl like Beverly Donofrio in school, completely and totally boy crazy. Well, things caught up to her during her senior year of highschool when she found herself pregnant and about to marry the father before even graduating.

The marriage proved to be short-lived and Beverly and her son were out on their own. But Beverly continued to live her life, just dragging her son Jason along for the ride. She felt she was going to raise him right, unlike her parents had her. Soon enough all her friends had moved away and she needed more from life than what she was currently receiving. That is when she remembers her dream from childhood- to become a famous author. Through the help of a therapist, she finds aid and is sent to a college for troubled individuals. This is what she needed and she thrives on it. She works hard to keep her grade point average high and soon enough has earned herself a scholarship into Wesleyan University.

After graduation she moves herself and her son to New York to become the star she knew she was destined to become. Time quickly passes and it is her son's turn to head off to college. Beverly is left alone to reflect on her life and what has brought her to that point. She even comes to realize that her son has been a blessing rather than the disaster she had previously always believed.

A very charming story that all but speeds by.

I was dying to read this book when i heard about the movie. I had planned on reading before i saw the movie, but it never worked out that way. As usual, the movie varies greatly from Bev's novel. This is a really quick read that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Bev is an outspoken rebelious girl who ends up pregnant the first time she has sex at the age of 17. What follows is a great story about her relationship with her family and her son. Like the sub title says, Bev was a bad girl who eventually made good. The reader finds inspiration through Bev's determination for a second chance. We see that because we screw up once does not mean we are doomed by our mistakes, but can turn our lives around and lead the life we always wanted. This is not simply a inspirational biography, but a novel with humor, quick wit, and great insight. I highly reccommend this one.

Beverly Donofrio has written a touching memoir of her life as a teen parent. She shares her struggles, feelings, and hopes for the future. Riding in Cars With Boys, is a candid look at parenting through a teens eye.

Donofrio does not have a 'typical' relationship with her son, Jason. Beverly, a mother before her time, was by most accounts, wild, reckless and a haphazard parent. In her true essence, Beverly did everything in excess: drugs, alcohol, sex, and rebellion!

Motherhood was a curse for Beverly; she could barely look after herself, let alone a child. Jason was often dirty, neglected, and left to his own devices. However, an important question must be raised; how did Beverly and Jason survive?

Amidst the chaos and confusion there was a great bond forged between Jason and Beverly. A traditional parent-child relationship...no, a relationship with love...yes. Riding in Cars With Boys takes the reader on Donofrio's path through motherhood and discovering that her life was not ruined, rather enriched.

About 3 weeks ago, I saw the a preview for the movie "Riding in Cars With Boys" first time and it sparked my interest. When I found out that the movie was based on the book, I immediately walked over to my computer to ordered a used copy of the book off of amazon.com. Three days later I received the book in the mail and started reading it. From the very first page I was hooked. Donofrio tells you the story of her life so descriptively, that you can see it all happening in your head. There is never a dull moment in this book. She writes about all of the bad times in her life with a fresh, witty humor that is true to the bone. Her story will leave you feeling insprired and a little bit stronger, even if you do not relate to it at the slightest. Read this book, it's definately worth your time.

Recently, I read Riding in Cars With Boys, by Beverly Donofrio. I am 14 years old, and have not read many novels. I am starting my high school applications and have thought a lot about the environment that each high school will provide. Many of the situatiosn Beverly encountered could very well happen at the high school I choose.
Beverly Donofrio is a wild teenager who goes around partying, drinking, and getting herself into trouble. At age 17 she becomes pregnant and gets married to the father of her child. They move in together and start a life for themselves. Married life isnt all its cracked up to be. After her marriage fails at age 19, she is on her own. She's unemployed, with a son and slowly running out of money. She gets into Marijuana and Heroine and involved with the wrong crowd. Her dad is a detective and has her arrested. It helps her realize that she has to turn over a new leaf.
Although the story doesnt sound great because it's about a teenager getting pregnant and doing drugs, it teaches you a lot. The story is true, and about the author. She doesn't hold back and sugarcoat things, she tells you straight out what happens.
I would recomend this book to anyone who wanted an edgy, risqué book about a woman with a hard life trying to overcome her problems. Her trials and tribulations show a carefree woman who doesn't think before she acts. She soon realizes she can't continue living like this.

...by that meaning I was expecting a GOOD read!
I bought this book after seeing the trailers for the movie and thought it would be interesting. I still can't put my finger on what exactly annoyed me so much about this book - possibly that Beverley is simply so unlikeable throughout (though she is the one who wrote it). I don't know.
But I DID, however, enjoy the movie. I think this was because much of it dealt with scenarios and events that would have happened AFTER she penned the book. (ie. dealing with her son Jason's reaction, seeking out Ray after so many years, etc.)
So basically, it's a good story, unfortunately not as told by Beverley D'Onofrio. I hate to pick on authors as such, but her writing just didn't do it for me. (despite her Master's degree in creative writing and all.) There was just a tone to it that hit me the wrong way.
You're better off with the movie.