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shellycbuchanan's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful, funny, engaging memoir about growing up with a powerful and passionate revolutionary mother.
carolynaugustyn's review
3.0
Note: I received this book from the author/publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What an interesting childhood and upbringing. The memoir focuses on Peter's adventures following his mother on her quest to be a part of the revolution (the revolution changes over time but ultimately, her chase to be a part of the rise to power of the disenfranchised). Luckily, everyone kept diaries and well documented notes (his mother keeping intricate and personal diaries, his father keeping copies of letters sent and other paperwork) so the story flows very well and feels very authentic and real. The writing style is one that I definitely appreciate in memoirs- equal parts recalling the facts of what happened in a logical way and personal reflections on certain events. So overall, this was a solid 3 star read for me. I enjoyed the read, I found the journey to be fascinating, but I didn't connect with the themes as much as I would have liked. In this case, with my lack of revolutionary involvement, I didn't really connect with the story or with the motives of the people involved. This would be a wonderful read for people who lived through/experienced similar situations, I just wasn't fully invested in the story as a whole.
What an interesting childhood and upbringing. The memoir focuses on Peter's adventures following his mother on her quest to be a part of the revolution (the revolution changes over time but ultimately, her chase to be a part of the rise to power of the disenfranchised). Luckily, everyone kept diaries and well documented notes (his mother keeping intricate and personal diaries, his father keeping copies of letters sent and other paperwork) so the story flows very well and feels very authentic and real. The writing style is one that I definitely appreciate in memoirs- equal parts recalling the facts of what happened in a logical way and personal reflections on certain events. So overall, this was a solid 3 star read for me. I enjoyed the read, I found the journey to be fascinating, but I didn't connect with the themes as much as I would have liked. In this case, with my lack of revolutionary involvement, I didn't really connect with the story or with the motives of the people involved. This would be a wonderful read for people who lived through/experienced similar situations, I just wasn't fully invested in the story as a whole.
lola425's review
4.0
No matter where you fall on whether you think Carol Andreas was a good mother or not, you will be forced to examine motherhood as an institution and what constitutes a happy childhood. Because Peter Andreas ends up happy and fulfilled with a career and a family and a stable home does this mean that Carol was a good mother, despite all outward appearances to the contrary or is it all just dumb luck that things turned out the way they did. There is much to be said for teaching your child to think critically and in the end I think that is what Peter took from his early life experiences. He may ultimately reject what his mother stands for, but he seems to come to it not from a place of anger or resentment, but from a place of considered thought. Great book group selection to discuss themes of motherhood, family, women's roles, siblings, etc.
suannelaqueur's review
Wow, what an upbringing! That was a pretty breathless read....
zowie333's review
3.0
Interesting but painful read. Seeing the comparison between the author’s perspective as a child vs his adult understanding was heartbreaking at times (kids are so willing to try to make their crazy lives okay in their minds). I found myself being both impressed by his mother’s determination and shocked by the crazy things she did.
maryrobinson's review
3.0
Interesting, sometimes disturbing, memoir of a very unusual childhood. Peter Andreas traveled the world with his mother as she chased revolutionary causes and opportunities to make a difference. She consciously wanted to raise a revolutionary boy for heartfelt reasons, and while she gave him many wonderful adventures and opportunities, she also consistently was negligent and put him in real danger.
cwolfeboynton's review
4.0
It’s been conpared to The Glass Castle, but I disagree. Yes, both include often-neglectful mothers who put themselves before their children. But the stories and transformations of the authors are very different — though writing both stories took a lot of bravery. Peter Andreas tells his dramatic story without the melodrama it could have contained, as well as shows his deep love for his difficult mother. It’s an incredible journey well documented and with an authenticity that keeps you connected. I was engrossed from page 1.
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