Anonymity

Rating:
Summary: Sad Story Badly Told
Review: Although my heart goes out to both of the Heche sisters and I have read both equally bad books I can not recommend either one of the books. I would however love to see a neutral party interview all the family members and friends of their father and the family to obtain a more coherent telling of the tale. It appears that Ann and Susan don't get along and neither one did much research in writing the book. Save your money for future tell alls by the Condits, Kennedys, Clintons, Ramsays, and OJ Simpsons.

Rating:
Summary: Eloquent
Review: Eloquent is the best word I can use to desribe Susan Heche Bergman's telling of her family story. Having read both Anne and Susan's stories about their family life, it is always interesting to see the different perspectives from siblings in the same family. I recommend listening to Anne's story first on CD as she adds profound emphasis to the telling and like so many good stories they are truly oral histories. I think it is nearly impossible for anyone to judge a family story other than those people who have lived the story. I thank them both for being brave enough to share their thoughts and perspectives on what happened while they were growing up. Clearly we are priviledged to be listening to what would normally only be divulged in a therapist office. We all need to hear more of these stories in order that we may come to understand that it is society's closed doors that keep people locked inside closets they don't know how to open; unfortunatley, for the Heche children, with devastating consequences. I have rarely read more finely written closing chapters than those where Susan descibes her longing to be throughly known pehaps "only as God could observe." My final thoughts upon finishing both books is that these sisters are closer than they know.

Rating:
Summary: Profoundly moving, perceptive, and heart-wrenching!
Review: This book paints a tinglingly vivid portrait of the modern-day dysfuncional family. The gay father, the brother killed in a car accident, the lesbian-turned-straight sister, whoa! Poor Susan! The fact that she can write about all of this tragedy with a triumphant heart and crystal clarity is astonishing. My mother came out of the closet 15 years ago and I could relate to Susan's anguish and desperate need to understand her father's closeted homosexuality. As a Christian, I was touched by her sincerity and her commitment to the truth. She expresses anger at her father but she also shows he deeply she loved him. Christians are so often accused and accursed of being "hate-mongers" and "anti-gay" but most of us are like everyone else, trying to understand and homosexuals without condoning their lifestyle. Homosexuals are free to live as they choose but their lifestyle is not compatible with Christian theology. This does not mean that we hate them. There is no room for 'hate' in the true Christian's life. I see no such hate in Susan Bergman's tale of her father. Here is a woman who loves a man dying of AIDS with merciful abandon. Too bad her story is not heard in the mass media, it is one worth remembering and sharing.