Rating: 
Summary: A Loving Portrait
Review: Allison Glock has fashioned a lovely little book about her grandmother growing up in West Virginia during the Depression and World War II. The author shares with us anecdotes, both happy and sad, about the hardscrabble existence of those days where working in a pottery factory was how people made their living and social life was pretty much confined to one's holler or at best the next one down the road. Nobody of that generation ever left town except to fight in a war. Glock is especially adept at describing the townspeople and their feelings, drawing the reader into the story and enabling us to feel so close to the characters. The section describing Petey Dink is especially touching. Kudos to author Glock. She has done a marvelous job. This book reminded me of David Baldacci's recent novel, "Wish You Well." Whereas his book is a work of fiction concerning tough times for a family in Virginia, Glock's accounting of her grandmaother's life is all the more interesting because it is true. Keep on writing, Allison. You are very good.
Rating: 
Summary: You can go home again!
Review: Allison Glock is a poet. Her words are stark and striking, and her storytelling is mesmerizing. After meeting Aneita Jean, I wanted to go back through the years and get acquainted with my own grandmothers, hear their stories and live vicariously. I felt an intimate attachment to the memoir, as I grew up in Newell, WV, and currently reside in Chester, and my parents live on Phoenix Avenue across from Aneita Jean's childhood home. I frequented Thornberry's store, growing up in the 70's, and I still think about it every time I drive through the town and see the building that once housed the store. I was a bit taken aback by some of the harsh assessments Glock levied on WV and Hancock County, but I understand that is her truths, and Aneita Jean's, but not necessarily mine (I escaped for 15 years but found myself yearning to return, so I did). I have recommended this book to all my fellow "Newellies", and I look forward to the next work by Glock.
Rating:
Summary: Evoking Passion
Review: Allison, You're a great little writer. That you evoked this much emotion from people reading your book says that you have the gift of telling a story passionately. You have stirred up some powerful emotions that goes to the heart of your ability to write. When people who can't spell or put a sentence together are moved to write a review of your book, you're doing something right. Either they love you or they hate you, but they are reading you. I went to school with your mother, until I was one of the ones who got out of Hancock County when I moved to California. Your mother must be very proud. I sure would be. Your book brings back many precious memories, even memories of some of the hardships grabbed something in my heart. You have written a very accurate description of the people and the area, and you have been able to tell it like it was while also conveying a loving image of your grandmother and the times. This is your first book. Incredible!!! I gave you four stars because I'm saving that fifth one for your next book. Sharin (Fletcher) Bowers
Rating:
Summary: Evoking Passion
Review: Allison, You're a great little writer. That you evoked this much emotion from people reading your book says that you have the gift of telling a story passionately. You have stirred up some powerful emotions that goes to the heart of your ability to write. When people who can't spell or put a sentence together are moved to write a review of your book, you're doing something right. Either they love you or they hate you, but they are reading you. I went to school with your mother, until I was one of the ones who got out of Hancock County when I moved to California. Your mother must be very proud. I sure would be. Your book brings back many precious memories, even memories of some of the hardships grabbed something in my heart. You have written a very accurate description of the people and the area, and you have been able to tell it like it was while also conveying a loving image of your grandmother and the times. This is your first book. Incredible!!! I gave you four stars because I'm saving that fifth one for your next book. Sharin (Fletcher) Bowers
Rating:
Summary: She's right on!
Review: An outstanding book; well-written and absorbing. I know her history, her grandmother and her Aunt Jill. The geography and conditions were and are the same as the author has described. The job is to leave the area. Most of us went to W.V. colleges which made it even more challenging to move on into our lives. Many people were stuck and continue to be. She touches on the alcoholism; it's epidemic as almost every family in the Valley experiences the devastating consequences of the result of hopelessness. An excellent writer.
Rating:
Summary: One Strong Woman
Review: Aneita Jean Blair is my hero. I was inspired by her ability to make the best of everything. I also enjoyed the way she used her beauty and feminine wiles to get what she wants. And when she didn't get what she wanted she would suck it up and move on with grace and poise. This book was a quick and enjoyable read. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to find yet another display of one woman's unbelievable strength.
Rating:
Summary: Beauty Before Comfort
Review: Glock, a writer-at-large for GQ, makes her book debut with this memoir of her maternal grandmother, Aneita Jean Blair (1920-92). Drawing on Blair's stories as well as family photographs, Glock portrays the harsh environment of her grandmother's longtime home, Chester, WV, a pottery factory town sandwiched between the Appalachian Mountains and the Ohio River. It was a hard life, with alcohol as solace. While Glock offers fine descriptions of small-town, working-class life during the first half of the 20th century-paying particular attention to the Great Depression and World War II-this is more an insightful portrait of a woman who struggled and survived. A classic beauty, Blair was difficult, and Glock takes pains to re-create her relationships with her family, girlfriends, many boyfriends, and husband, Don. Blair's sexuality, in fact, drives many of the anecdotes. The early death of her brother, Pete, is also poignantly recounted, as is the senility and death of her husband. Recommended for public libraries
Rating: 
Summary: Garbage
Review: How did this woman ever get a publishing contract? Don't buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Read it straight through
Review: I came from an industrial town in Tennessee, and Allison Glock's wonderful story of her grandmother, who lived in that kind of environment, really resonated with me. Aneita Jean Blair's life is not the kind that usually gets the full biographical treatment, especially from a granddaughter. The second outstanding part about this book is the writing. Lines such as "Just walking through the house required lurching effort," written about the death of a family member, make the story more real. Having read some of the reviews here on Amazon, I cannot understand the hostility that some people convey about this book. My favorite line from an angry reader was this one: "I think if you right (sic) a book you should actually know what you are talking about." That line--complete with spelling that shouts ignorance--says it all. Allison Glock does know what she is talking about, and tells it very, very well.
Rating:
Summary: Read it straight through
Review: I came from an industrial town in Tennessee, and Allison Glock's wonderful story of her grandmother, who lived in that kind of environment, really resonated with me. Aneita Jean Blair's life is not the kind that usually gets the full biographical treatment, especially from a granddaughter. The second outstanding part about this book is the writing. Lines such as "Just walking through the house required lurching effort," written about the death of a family member, make the story more real. Having read some of the reviews here on Amazon, I cannot understand the hostility that some people convey about this book. My favorite line from an angry reader was this one: "I think if you right (sic) a book you should actually know what you are talking about." That line--complete with spelling that shouts ignorance--says it all. Allison Glock does know what she is talking about, and tells it very, very well.
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