This is a very well-written and interesting book, but it has many painful and very sad parts. The author is writing about growing up in a family that seems to be the typical California happy "Father Knows Best" group, living in the ranch-style home in the suburbs of Silicon Valley. Everything falls apart, however, and Jeff writes of becoming an adult in this family, and dealing with his siblings and parents as they all go through agonizing changes and losses.


It really touched me; he is very honest, and the sadness comes through in every chapter. Perhaps it helps if the reader has a "family of origin" that is dysfunctional, and so many of us do. It's still a very good book, even if you grew up in a healthy happy family with very few problems. I could not stop reading and enjoyed it tremendously.

Jeff pulls himself out of the abyss, as do most of his family members. I really appreciated his insight and willingness to share his feelings about all of it. Sometimes one must just "let it go" to move on, and he's done this admirably. I highly recommend this book, to anyone who grew up in sunny California or anywhere else, pretending your family was just like everyone else's .....



Recommended: Yes