Paradise, Piece by Piece: Read this book!!!
Written: Dec 19 '00 (Updated Jun 01 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Well written, honest, intense
Cons: This is not for someone looking for light reading
The Bottom Line: Poet, Molly Peacock, has written a powerful, autobiographical book.
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| laura10801's Full Review: Paradise Piece By Piece Books |
My poetry instructor lent me her copy of this book after I had written a poem about ambivolence about having children. This is a major theme in this book, which starts with the author stating that she decided she did not want to have children when she was 3 years old.
Ms. Peacock's book goes on to paint a self-portrait of a parentified child in a violent, alcoholic family, who grows up to become a successful poet. The book is clearly autobiographical, she uses her own name, and simply does not mention the full name of some of the characters. Ms. Peacock bravely exposes her own dark underbelly as well as her family's: the drunk and terrifying father, the unsupportive, needy mother, the pathetic, manipulative, drug addicted sister. Her heroine shows the bad judgement all people show at one time or another in choosing lovers and in dealing with her family. I found myself literally sobbing at some of her losses and betrayals. It is no surprise that Ms. Peacock waited until her family members were all dead to write this book.
This is not to say that the book is relentlessly depressing. Ms. Peacock has a delightful sense of humor, and her honesty in expressing and exposing herself and her feelings are very refreshing. I ended up feeling as if I had met the author and I could imagine getting together with her for a cup of tea to talk about life, literature, and relationships. It also left me feeling much less freakish for not wanting to have children, a decision, Ms. Peacock reminds the reader, one makes over and over again in life.
This is a very powerful, moving, well written book. Don't miss it.
Recommended:
Yes
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laura10801
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