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Liz Murray

Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard Paperback – Illustrated, May 24, 2011

by Liz Murray (Author)

1,464 ratings

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In the vein of The Glass Castle, Breaking Night is the stunning memoir of a young woman who at age fifteen was living on the streets, and who eventually made it into Harvard.

Liz Murray was born to loving but drug-addicted parents in the Bronx. In school she was taunted for her dirty clothing and lice-infested hair, eventually skipping so many classes that she was put into a girls' home. At age fifteen, Liz found herself on the streets. She learned to scrape by, foraging for food and riding subways all night to have a warm place to sleep.

When Liz's mother died of AIDS, she decided to take control of her own destiny and go back to high school, often completing her assignments in the hallways and subway stations where she slept. Liz squeezed four years of high school into two, while homeless; won a New York Times scholarship; and made it into the Ivy League. Breaking Night is an unforgettable and beautifully written story of one young woman's indomitable spirit to survive and prevail, against all odds.

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Hachette Books
Publication date

May 24, 2011
Reading age

18 years and up
Dimensions

5.25 x 1 x 8 inches
ISBN-10

1401310591
ISBN-13

978-1401310592
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Breaking Night reads more like an adventure story than an addiction-morality tale. It's a white-knuckle account of survival. . . . By age 6, Murray knew how to mainline drugs (though she never took them) and how to care for her strung-out parents. She showed uncanny maturity, even as a child, and later managed to avoid that malady of teenagers and memoir writers, self-pity. . . . Murray's stoicism has been hard-earned; it serves her well as a writer. Breaking Night itself is full of heart, without a sliver of ice, and deeply moving."--The New York Times Book Review

"Education was the miracle that saved Murray's life. . . . Her story is inspirational, and her description of [her high school], and its role in her life, should be read by everyone concerned about education."--Washington Post Book World

"From runaway to Harvard student, Murray tells an engaging, powerfully motivational story about turning her life around.... In this incredible story of true grit, Murray went from feeling like "the world was filled with people who were repulsed by me" to learning to receive the bountiful generosity of strangers who truly cared."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Liz Murray shows us that the human spirit has infinite ability to grow and can never be limited by circumstance. Breaking Night is a beautifully written, heartfelt memoir that will change the way you look at your community, the obstacles in your own life, and the American Dream. An inspiration; a must-read."--Robert Redford

"The admirable story of a teen who overcame homelessness through sheer grit and the kindness of friends ... An uplifting story of survival."--Kirkus Reviews

"Truly uplifting ... Liz Murray has shown us the worst, and the very best, of America."--Haven Kimmel, author of A Girl Named Zippy and She Got Up Off the Couch

About the Author

Liz Murray was left homeless at age fifteen after her mother's death from AIDS. She fended for herself on the streets, eventually returning to high school. She was accepted into Harvard, where she attended college classes for three years before taking time off to help her father, who died of AIDS. She returned to college, and is now taking graduate courses at Harvard. Liz gives speaking engagements around the country. A movie about her life, Homeless to Harvard, was made by Lifetime in 2003, and airs frequently.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hachette Books; Illustrated edition (May 24, 2011)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1401310591
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1401310592
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 1 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #48,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16 in Mid Atlantic U.S. Biographies
- #56 in Poverty
- #64 in Child Abuse (Books)

Customer Reviews:
1,464 ratings

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5 star		80%
4 star		13%
3 star		5%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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What "Hillbilly Elegy" should have been

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2017

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I read "Hillbilly Elegy" a few months ago after seeing such great reviews and because I grew up down the road from the author. However, I found that book to be more braggadocio and less of a tale of abuse or extreme poverty. I humbly submit that anyone who enjoyed that book to take time and read "Breaking Night". I rarely if ever cry during a book but did so a few times while reading Murray's memoir. This young woman survived terrible poverty, neglect, and teenage homelessness only to make it through Harvard. She never whines or blames anyone including her drug addicted parents who kept her out of school to " break the night" with them. This is a wonderful story of someone tirelessly beating every possible odd and coming out on top. One of the best memoirs I have ever had the privilege of reading.

35 people found this helpful

Helpful

Grace E.

Zero judgements. Reality is often painful to read. Thank you for sharing this.

Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2016

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Congratulations, and God bless you Liz Murray for surviving. Beyond surviving. For contributing to our society, which is suffering from many social ills due to drug and alcohol abuse, coupled with psychiatric issues.

What saddened me more than reading this Memoir, were the negative comments. I do believe, without a shadow of a doubt, Ms Murray had, and still has, strong emotions regarding her life. She chose to try to write an inspirational book. Depressing? Yes, if you can't handle the reality of many children. I think reading the back cover would give a clue on the contents. When surrounded in such dysfunction, one would be emotionally delayed. Emotions can crop up many years after the actual situation. Her life was more of a daily battle zone. Survival mode does not give one much time to analyze feelings. Her forgiveness of her parent's are amazing, though those thoughts may change as she ages, and perspective sets in. Eating chapstick is hardly conducive to proper nutrition, or stimulating the brain cells. Neither is being born crack addicted. I suppose the 80's were different, though I cannot fathom why Social Services did not remove her from the hospital. I commend those who actually did help and guide her.

It appears many simply ignored the situation. No family members involved? The breakdown of our society. I would like to see her write a second book. An update, if you will. More on Lisa. More on her emotions, even if it offends those who were depressed by the contents. No judgements from me. None. God has truly walked with these two sisters. May they continue on a path of peace. Thank you for writing this Liz.

18 people found this helpful

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nancy friss

BREAKING NIGHT by Liz Murray: From Homeless to Harvard

Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2020

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In this autobiographical narrative, the author describes in vivid detail her physical, emotional and psychological triumph of survival against unimaginable odds. With her endurance and stamina drained by a determination and persistence to care for drug addicted parents while trying to take care of herself, she manages to create a barrier to failure while homeless at a young age, living on the streets, and facing the pressures of life coming from a background of emotional neglect and deprivation. Struggling to find meaning and purpose to her life and relying on an inner will to overcome even the harshest adversity, she perseveres with remarkable strength,intellect, perceptiveness and conviction. The reader witnesses her constant struggle to be loved, to make a difference and to know she matters. Filled with those basic needs, and accepting responsibility for facing life on her own, she discovers it’s going to be her choices in people that influence her thoughts, how she sees herself, and how she judges her personal successes and failures. Abandonment issues spawn greater needs for reassurance. The bonds formed with a support group of friends, who cannot solve her problems, make her feel that she is not alone. Some of those relationships live out their purpose; others serve them. As she turns each corner in the chapters of her life, she redefines her goals and clarifies her purpose. This is a story that inspires by illustration. As the architect of our own destiny, this incredible woman proves that disappointments don’t have to repeat themselves, that knowing you matter and make a difference is a powerful motivator, and that life moves forward because of our relationships, will, and wanting our journey to count. Whether educated on the street or in the classroom, her eventual acceptance into
an Ivy League school fueled her passion for learning. Today, Liz Murray is dedicated to helping others become the
best versions of themselves. David M. Weinberger, Ph.D. Wyoming, Pa.

4 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

FeedbackRoutine

Brilliant book to give a teenager

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2014

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Read the reviews for this book (in a women's magazine) and was pleasantly surprised once I read it as, it isn't the type of book I usually go for.

It's content is a cautionary tale of how drugs can destroy a family and how, despite suffering the worst childhood, success can be achieved. This remarkable teenager is proof that the apple doesn't necessarily have to fall close to the tree, it can make up its own mind and have a more rewarding and morally sound life.

To the author, I thank you for sharing your story with us.

I wish her and her sister all the best in their endeavours. I have given a copy to the younger generation of my family so that they can read it and learn.

2 people found this helpful

Jen

Watched the film

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2015

Verified Purchase

This I have not read so it might seem strange me leaving a review! I did however watch the film adaptation which I found to be very inspiring. I brought the book as a gift for someone (which comes in paper back by the way) because I was subtly trying to help convince the receiver to change their life. The Girl in the story went through an extremely chaotic ordeal and because of her circumstances all odds pointed to her living life in the gutter. However she over-come all her obstacles I believe very few could or have, to go on to become a success story. I believe what you read and subject your mind to has an affect on your life decisions and I hope my theory works.

2 people found this helpful

helen young

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 4, 2018

Verified Purchase

Book came in good time and is a great read.

2 people found this helpful

Cecilia U

From 'Homeless to Harvard' to 'Breaking Night'

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2015

Verified Purchase

I first got to know Liz Murray from the film 'Homeless to Harvard', and this film inspires me a lot, so I decided to buy her book. I am pleased that the book doesn't disappoint me either, for Liz experiences and her philosophical views towards her traumas inspire and encourage me a lot. Determination is what I learnt from her, as well as faith. When you have these two in your hand nothing stops you from getting what you want. Her love to her mom also reminds me there's nothing that you can take for granted. Even though her mom was a drug addict, Liz was still grateful that she had this mom because she knows her mom does love her.

If you think your life sucks get the book and put yourself in Liz and experience what she had gone through.

One person found this helpful

Joyce Oroux

I still have 20% to read but it is a ...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 21, 2017

Verified Purchase

I still have 20% to read but it is a very interesting tale and very enlightening into how children suffer when growing up with drug and drink addicts .

One person found this helpful

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Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard Paperback – Illustrated, May 24, 2011

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