Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Forgotten Girls by Monica Potts

6 reviews

ehmannky's review against another edition

reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

A look at the systemic forces (Christianity, rugged American individualism mindsets, conservatism, sexism, poverty) that combine together to leave rural and predominantly white communities with a mix of even more intense poverty, social stratification and despair using the auhtors’ life and her childhood best friends’ life as a case study. She doesn’t use it to excuse her hometown or rural America (if anything I found her to be critical to the point that I found it odd that she did willingly return to her hometown)—she’s pretty upfront about the fact that many of these issues are self-inflicted and that her community and many like them are willing to co-sign themselves to poverty in order to keep a sense of superiority. She contrasts her life (she left her hometown for decades) with that of her childhood best friend (who stayed in Clinton and spiraled). It’s an interesting contrast to say the least. I suppose what kept it being a 5 star for me is that it was SO bleak that although Potts would mention that as an adult she grew to appreciate parts of her hometown she doesn’t ever actual say what exactly those things are. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Car accident, Child death, and Child abuse

estam1's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Addiction, Death, Racism, Sexual assault, and Child death

greyt_things's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use

Moderate: Child death

bookmaddie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.75

I read this on audio (exciting for me!!), and even though it took me awhile, I really enjoyed it. Very intense, sad and thoughtful memoir.
—

I decided to dip my toes back into audiobooks, and I think I’m ~lightly~ hooked! They’re such a nice companion to cooking, cleaning, and going on walks, and perfect for when I need a bit of a break from tunes (I’m not much of a podcast girl). I started with this book on a whim, and while it took me a month to get through, I found it to be a very valuable, heartrending read.

Potts chronicles her childhood in rural Arkansas, focusing on her friendship with a girl named Darcy and how, and why, their lives went in completely different directions. Potts journalistic roots shine through as she deftly weaves facts and studies about the living in rural areas with her own story, and that of Darcy. By examining how her and Darcy’s paths diverged, Potts questions how and why living in rural areas results in worse health, educational, and employment outcomes for these communities.

Yet hidden just below a somewhat journalistic tone, Potts’ story is full of emotion. Her friendship with Darcy, both as children and then reconnecting in adulthood, is an endless push-and-pull, yet full of loyalty and hope. Potts’ recollections of her childhood, and returning to her hometown, were brought to life through her heartfelt narration. I’m so glad I came to this story on audio!

This is a very balanced memoir with a lot of hope and insight to build better communities in rural areas. I may not have picked up this book in print, but I’m so glad I gave it a listen. It’s a deeply felt love letter to Potts’ home, and all those who prefer open skies to crowded roads. Definitely not one to overlook!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Car accident, Child death, Confinement, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicide attempt

debussy's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

I am a white woman not far off from the author’s age and grew up in the Arkansas Ozarks. So much of this book felt like reading about my own life—the relentless isolation, conservatism, and xenophobia of the area as well as the driving need to leave it while developing a strange, complicated relationship with it afterward are so on point. The way the area is a deeply messed up patriarchy steeped with religion makes women scapegoats—there to be blamed or used by the men who have little in their lives except the ability to control others. This is a sad, compelling, and unfortunately accurate portrait of a place I still love. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Addiction, Alcoholism, Classism, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Pandemic/Epidemic, Child death, Death of parent, and Misogyny

Minor: Miscarriage and Physical abuse

sjanke2's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Addiction, Car accident, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Grief

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, and Medical content