Reviews

Bettyville: A Memoir, by George Hodgman

bluenicorn's review against another edition

4.0

I found some of this a little bit repetitive, and there were many names of people who I couldn't remember who they were, but overall, it was really touching and had lots of humor and heart. I probably appreciated it even more for the Missouri connection, but I think anyone who knows or works with older adults would find alot in it to appreciate. The book club really, really liked it, so I would definitely recommend it for a book group (even if the group isn't all older adults).

kickpleat's review against another edition

4.0

I seem to be interested in books about taking care of elderly parents of late. This book is witty and well written and I liked hearing about the author's mother, Betty and you get all the illuminating bits of the author's life as well. 3.5 stars.

tschmitty's review against another edition

3.0

Finally finished July bookclub book! I thought this was okay, but not completely engrossing. Betty seemed quite the character, although I felt we never truly got to know her, particularly her younger self. George was a good son to Betty. He should feel proud.

heyren's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting memoir on a gay mans reflections as he cares for his dementia ridden mother. It introduces a host of flawed yet ultimately loveable people to root for as well as what he experienced during the aids crisis and other happenings of the time. The writing was good as expected of an editor however the story was not linear with no breaks to indicate if we are going back or forth in time which made it confusing at times.

in2reading's review against another edition

4.0

Painfully honest without any traces of self pity. I found the story of the author's life and his mother's life very interesting. Recommended.

msjoanna's review against another edition

4.0

My bookclub read this at a time I couldn't make, so I'm way behind the group in getting to this one. I enjoyed listening to this story as an amusing, light listen. The narration is good and memoirs of this sort always translate well to audio. George felt like a beloved uncle or distant friend regaling me with stories of his childhood and his wacky relations. As an added point of interest, he was describing places in Missouri, which made things at least slightly personal to this Missouri-transplant.

Nothing earth-shattering here, just a nice memoir. Recommended to folks who like this sort of thing - think David Sedaris with but from mid-Missouri.

soulkissed2003's review against another edition

3.0

Finding himself between jobs in New York City, editor George Hodgman returns home to care for his aging and ailing mother, Betty. Their hometown of Paris, Missouri, could not be more different than the big city he is leaving behind for this season of his life. While he loves his mother, and wants what is best for her, there is a barrier there. Neither his deceased father nor his mother ever truly wanted to discuss or accept his homosexuality.

It's clear the author poured himself into the writing of this memoir. I imagine it was a sort of a healing or therapeutic process for him to put these complex emotions down on paper. I know I certainly have felt the disconnect between generations, parents and children trying to understand one another and let those they love be who they are. I think many readers will be able to relate to that age old struggle, certainly.

I did find the storytelling a bit slow and boring at times. This was a book chosen by the local library book club I joined recently. I enjoy branching out and reading things I would not otherwise have tried, and this one was okay, but not one I would have chosen on my own. It is not one I would read again.

jonid's review against another edition

4.0

This memoir is a treasure. It's not only the story of George returning home to Paris, Missouri , to care for his aging mother Betty. What starts out as a few weeks stretches out into what many people will recognize as the last possible chance to connect before you no longer can. A feisty refusal to go into a facility allows George and Betty to recapture some of tier old camaraderie but also reveals other truths: her inability to accept her son as gay and his inability to feel like he was approved of. It is a tender, truthful look at a parent and her child as well as a look at the small towns in the heartland -wha they were and what they are now. There is a sweetness to the telling of the story that I both admire and adore.

skyroxy's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book. All of the characters were well drawn out and you came to love their vulnerability, especially Betty, a woman trying to come to grips with a life that is new to her and stay firmly in the life she has always know.

askxtine's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

3.5

memoir, very depressing and slog to read through. It covers a whole lifetime of memories - most notably growing up gay in a conservative small town, drug abuse, parent death, tough family relationship. I'm starting to think I don't like memoirs - one chapter might flip through 6 or more timelines (one memory jumping to another or present time) and feature a huge cast of characters that were mentioned in passing several chapters ago. There were some moments that were funny or entertaining or relatable, but overall very depressing. Maybe it's just because I'm going to have to deal sooner or later with my own parents. Ugh.