Penitent, With Roses: An Hiv+ Mother Reflects (Bakeless Prize)

Rating:
Summary: What was the point?
Review: I found Paula Peterson's book to be an incredible story. Through her essays she provides an open, thoughtful and emotional insight into her experiences as a woman, a mother and an HIV+ person.
But, the real story is the writing. This book is an example of a well-written and crafted work by a gifted writer.
I recommend it strongly.

Rating:
Summary: What was the point?
Review: I wanted so much to like this book and I did up until the "Letter To Benjamin". I am not a prude by any stretch of the imagination but certain sections and details of her letter were more than I could bear. I tried to put myself in the position of Benjamin as a young adult reading the letter--does he really need to read how a former lover had to lift his stomach to penetrate his mother? Or how another potential suitor apparently didn't want to "f**k her"? I found it hard to see how these details really added anything to her story. While I appreciate her willingness to share her history and life experiences with her son, I think this may be a classic case of overkill. There are better ways to leave a legacy.

Rating:
Summary: Truly a gem
Review: I was fortunate to have received an advance copy of this jewel of a book. It is an enormously touching and extremely well-written book that everyone - and I mean everyone - should read. I sincerely hope that this is the first of many, many more books by this obviously extremely talented writer. In fact, I have already purchased a copy just to add to my personal "lending library" since I want to share but don't want to part with the only copy I have.

Rating:
Summary: A Glass Half Full
Review: This book was an impulse buy; I was intrigued to find out how an HIV+ mother would speak about the fear and guilt associated with a so-called "lifestyle" disease. The first half of the book, where she describes her diagnosis, treatment, emotions associated with being positive, and most engagingly, the retreat she attended with other female patients, were brilliantly descriptive and all that I could have asked for.

However, the book should have ended there. The full-blown autobiography in the second half of the book is personal, and to an acquaintance (reader), boring. There is no point to her stories - they are private reflections, of interest only to her loved ones. It isn't that I dislike autobiographical essays, but they are much better when crafted so that personal experience can teach, entertain, or reflect some universal aspects of humanity. Kudos, however, for her courage and honesty in making her HIV+ status public in a world where her diagnosis could still render her a pariah. The lady definitely has moxie.

Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous prose
Review: This is a beautiful book. Smart, engaging, and heartfelt. It's also one hell of a good read. It's not one of those books that you will relate to only if you have the same problems, issues and challenges as the author (don't get me wrong--those are often great books too!). Peterson writes movingly about her specific afflictions, but she also writes about the universal human ache...and joy. Great book! Highly recommended.