The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less

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Summary: This book is a real crowd pleaser and tear teaser!
Review: I listened(book on cd to the travails of the Contest Queen as I made my way on a long car journey. It was perfect fare. I'm not sure how the prose holds up in book form, but as recorded narrative it was exceptionally entertaining. I marveled at the cheerful modes of survival this whole family employed and at their resistance to broad-siding their dad's sodden noggin' with a 2" x 4" during what I calculated to be a long series of justified, but missed, opportunities. The story is a commemorative work of appreciation of a mom-Extraordinaire, and a de-facto accounting of a family's unbridled resilience. Tuff's (Ms. Ryan's) mom would be so pleased!

Rating:
Summary: Nice wholesome story
Review: This is the story of how a woman with ten kids and an alcoholic husband, made ends meet by entering various contests. Luckily she had a gift with words and therefore won a lot of big and small prizes, plus some cash. She kept a positive attitude all the time which is reflected throughout the book in her kids' actions and attitudes.
This book is set in a small mid-western town in the fifties and takes you back to the way people were back then, lending a hand to a troubled neighbor, etc.
I enjoyed this story the only thing I found a bit annoying was that it seemed that every single contest entry, even those that didn't win prizes were printed on pages and pages of this book.

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Summary: Proud of my grandmother
Review: Well I don't read many books but since Dortha is my grandmother I guess I had to. It was quite good and interesting. Growing up around Dortha I use to think as a kid she was so lucky. She would win all kinds of free stuff! Truth is she and Mrs. Ryan have a talent for catch phrases. Now the movie is on the way! Keep an eye out for it next year sometime. Buy the book!

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Summary: An uplifting and courageous tribute
Review: I have a confession to make. When one of the girls in my bookclub recommended this book for our September read, I silently groaned. I thought this was another one of those books that would be dry and witless ~~ and a waste of my money (not to mention, my time!). I am very very happy to report that I was indeed wrong about this book. This is definitely one of the best reads I've read this summer. (I know, I know, I keep saying that lately with all of my books, but honestly, this is really one of the best reads ever!)

Terry Ryan writes with humor and prose about her mother raising ten children in the little midwestern town, called, Defiance, in Ohio. Evelyn is not your typical mother. She doesn't stay home and bake cakes all the time. No, this is one woman who really defines the word "mother" in all its best definitions. Evelyn is a woman of bravery and wit who, in the face of daunting circumstances, decides to enter contests to earn a little money on the side to support her ever-growing family. She hides the food in the dryer and forgets they're there too ~~ that is just one of many humorous incidents in the Ryan household. She writes rhymes for contests and poetry. She thinks of ways to earn an extra dollar that her husband's job doesn't cover.

There are some dark spots in this book ~~ Evelyn is married to an alcoholic who squanders away most of his paycheck on drink. There have been a few abusive incidents reported in the book ~~ not to garner self-pity, but as a fact of life in the Ryan household. Evelyn shows her strength and courage in the way she deals with her children, the adversity in their lives and always with grace and love. She meets up with other women who love to enter contests as well and this is a loving tribute from a daughter to her mother.

Ryan writes convincingly and beautifully. This is a story that tells of a by-gone era that I am not even familiar with. My husband, on the other hand, is very familiar with the contests and can say some of the sayings from memory. This book is a journey down memory lane as well. Defiance is not the same town as it was back in the 50s and 60s. It was nice reading about the streets that have become very familiar to me and it gives the reader a nice sense of history in "Everytown, USA" ~~ when downtown was the main hub of activity before the urban sprawl came along and took the businesses out of the downtown.

This is a story I highly recommend everyone to read ~~ mothers, daughters, sons, fathers ~~ everyone. It's a great piece of history and a wonderful tribute to a woman who never gave up hope even in the midst of troubling times. This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year!

7-30-04

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommend
Review: Who can read this story without eventually loving Evelyn Ryan and her brood? What a wonderfully rich, heartwarming tribute Terry Ryan has paid to her mother. Evelyn was a woman for the ages. She epitomized what faith, hope, and incredible courage is all about. She tackled adversity with humor and an unwavering positive nature. In reading this story, I found that Evelyn's sad and disheartening times didn't seem as sad or as disheartening because she was the kind of woman who quickly picked herself up, dusted off, and moved forward to the next adventure. Those of us who read her story did the same right along with her without bitterness or regret. What a magnificent gift that is. What a woman!