Rating: 
Summary: Most beautiful memoir I've ever read
Review: *****
This book is the most beautiful memoir I've ever read and the one of the most memorable books I've ever read in my life. It is about the author's childhood in Alabama, about poverty, abuse, and alcoholism, but even more it is about love, family, and what is "normal". Despite the dark subject it is not a depressing book, but rather, a book of hope and love. I cannot imagine anyone having had a more troubled or abusive childhood than did the author, but the central theme of family love is what, most affects the family members and holds them together above all.
When you finish the book, you are really sorry, as you hate to see it end. Fortunately it continues with a second memoir about the author's life as an adult called "Fierce". Both are worth purchasing in hardback and rereading throughout your life; they are not books to be read once and then donated to a book sale.
It is not simply well-written, but it is so moving, honest, and matter-of-fact, that you really feel like you know and love all of the real people in the author's life. When I read "Alice"'s review (see above...Alice is the author's sister) I was so moved because I feel like I "know" her from the memoir. Of course I don't, but the memoir was that real.
I read this book as slowly as I could to make it last. It was just so good. I can't imagine anyone buying it and thinking they didn't get more than their money's worth, as it delivers on all levels---style of writing, suspense and plot, authenticity and transparency, the ability to draw you into the author's world.
"Fierce" takes place mostly after the author is an adult and leaves home although there are many flashbacks to childhood. "Change Me Into Zeus' Daughter" is about the author's childhood. I would buy both books together in hardback and save them forever to be read again and again.
*****
Rating:
Summary: An unexpected gem published by a small publisher
Review: A brilliant depiction of alcoholism, codependence, living with facial disfigurement and grinding poverty for a white Alabama family. Within the squalor, terror, and degradation burn powerful flames of erudition, dignity, and love. This book is astonishingly devoid of self-pity.
Rating:
Summary: a phenomenal journey - beautifully written, masterfully told
Review: A year ago, I was fortunate to read Barbara Robinette Moss' essay which became the first chapter of this book. At the time, I was in awe of her skill with words, her imagery, her mastery of storytelling and touched deep within at the poignacy of the tale she had to tell. I was overjoyed when I learned this had become a book, and purchased it in it's first few days of publication.An avid reader, and a writer myself, I cannot recall being so moved or so enthralled with any recent 'memoir'. Moss reaches inside the reader and grabs ahold while she carries us gently through a journey of poverty, loss, grief and joy. Yet, it is less a story of the author than it is a story of woman-ness: her's, her mother's, her sisters' and the courage, grace and poise these women maintain in the midst of, and against a backdrop of, oppression, fear, humiliation. It is a story of triumph and a story of elegance. Would that we all could be the women of this book, regardless of circumstance. Moss writes prose like poetry, with clarity and beauty. A must read. A phenomenal story. An empowering tale which proves the maxim: good books and good art serve to teach us all, that everything is possible!
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: An experiencial journey into poverty, struggle, aspects of southern culture, abuse, as well as survival, this book graps you into the inner soul of the writer. It is not a story of self-pity, but one of determination. It is a book that demands your continued attention and interest. It is also a book to share with others.
Rating:
Summary: I have just finished reading "Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter
Review: and I found the book to be a moving and entertaining memoir. I am sure it will become a bestseller. However; this story does not belong to Barbara alone. It also belongs to her Mother and her seven siblings. I know this because I am the author's sister. When I first learned Barbara was going to write this book I was very uneasy. I had put this life in the past and did not want to re-live it. It was very painful and humiliating. When I received my copy I knew then that I would read it. The book got thrown against the wall many times, once my wonderful husband even took the book away from me because it brought back so many painful memories, some in the book, most that are not, many I had forgotten and did not ever want to remember again. But it also served to remind me of what a special person my mother was. This story is about the determination of one woman who watched all her dreams shatter but remained strong in an era which did not recognize alcoholism as a disease or child abuse as a problem. She was my rock, my best friend and the one person who kept me sane through the madness when I was not even sure I deserved to have a place on this earth. I am sure she is in a special place in heaven where she can forever sing the beautiful music she loved so much because she has already lived through hell on earth. I miss her every day of my life. I cannot speak for my brothers and sisters, but I know that each and every one of us earned the right to be called "survivor". I consider myself to have had two lives, the one I lived before the day my father put that gun to his head and pulled the trigger and the one that started the same day. Because for me that was the day the abuse ended. I was 38 years old. This book is destined to be a bestseller and I am very proud of my sister. I also hope this book will help to make people understand that alcoholism and child abuse are serious problems that exist in every race, society, income bracket and if you know of someone who needs help, don't just talk about, call someone. Love you Barbara
Rating:
Summary: change me into zeuses daughter
Review: Barabara Robinette Moss is truely an inspiration to me. Reading and enjoying her memoir, has only made me wish her book had never ended. I felt so special talking to Barbara Moss one Saturday afternoon, and I must say, I felt so emotional. Her book made me feel as though I were right beside her, knowing how she felt. Speaking with her made me even more sure that she is as beautiful on the phone as she is in her book. She made everthing seem so vivid. Thanks for the perfect memoir. (And if she's ever in Miami, I would very much like to meet her.) I absolutely could not put her book down. I recommend everyone read this book, especially when you may have thought you had it bad. Thank you. Lucie.
Rating:
Summary: Kindred Spirit
Review: Barbara Robinette Moss is a masterful storyteller of the highest order!! Her memoir both encourages and motivates me. I can hardly wait for her next book! Our reading group in Birmingham interviewed her by telephone last night and she helped us understand even more about the complexities of her family. Folks, these are real people! Some rose above the circumstances and some didn't. We love you, Barbara, are are thankful that you are still "rising." We laud you for your courage, and we want you to continue your story. You're an inspiration! As we say in Alabama, "You go, girl!"
Rating:
Summary: Kindred Spirit
Review: Barbara Robinette Moss is a masterful storyteller of the highest order!! Her memoir both encourages and motivates me. I can hardly wait for her next book! Our reading group in Birmingham interviewed her by telephone last night and she helped us understand even more about the complexities of her family. Folks, these are real people! Some rose above the circumstances and some didn't. We love you, Barbara, are are thankful that you are still "rising." We laud you for your courage, and we want you to continue your story. You're an inspiration! As we say in Alabama, "You go, girl!"
Rating:
Summary: A True Example Of Anything Is Possible
Review: Barbara Robinette Moss' book "Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter" was a book that I could not put down! It's hard to imagine a little girl growing up in the south who was poor, malnourished & facially disfigured living with an alcoholic father and submissive mother could write a book with such honesty without any bitterness. A motivating book for anyone young or old, no matter what your circumstances - that anything is possible!
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful story of downhome Southern living
Review: Barbara's childhood is a two-sided tale of adjustment and/or abuse. Of course by all means, she is a survivor. And was able to mold herself into an independent person with goals and plans already set when she was still a child. Her love/hate relationships with her parents helped her fight more to improve herself as a way out of her hard Southern uprbringing.
|
