Reviews
Leave Out the Tragic Parts: A Grandfather's Search for a Boy Lost to Addiction by Dave Kindred
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
3.0
Leave Out the Tragic Parts // by Dave Kindred
I always feel a little harsh when I review a memoir that I did not enjoy as much as usual. This is someone's life story after all. A glimpse into the very personal. But I really struggled with staying engaged with this one. I see the importance of having written this book and doing the research, soul-searching, and story-gathering for it. You can really tell that this grandfather cared for his grandson very much and that he wanted to both understand and honor the memory of one of the most important people in his life. I admire that a lot and I really hope that this gave him the closure that he needed. But as a reader, much of this book felt very repetitive and I did not find the style of it fitting for a written accounting of someone's life. I think these stories would have been much more effective as little tidbits told around a campfire or told throughout different situations in life, much like he got to hear them out on the road while talking to his son's companions when he gathered them for this memoir. What first drew me to this memoir was the title. Many addiction memoirs are all about the tragedy so I was immediately drawn to the phrase "Leave out all the tragic parts." While we definitely got to hear about some of the difficult times in his grandson's life, this book was very much focused on the happy times and experiences he had and we also got to find out where the phrase originally came from, which was a great way to round this out.
Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I always feel a little harsh when I review a memoir that I did not enjoy as much as usual. This is someone's life story after all. A glimpse into the very personal. But I really struggled with staying engaged with this one. I see the importance of having written this book and doing the research, soul-searching, and story-gathering for it. You can really tell that this grandfather cared for his grandson very much and that he wanted to both understand and honor the memory of one of the most important people in his life. I admire that a lot and I really hope that this gave him the closure that he needed. But as a reader, much of this book felt very repetitive and I did not find the style of it fitting for a written accounting of someone's life. I think these stories would have been much more effective as little tidbits told around a campfire or told throughout different situations in life, much like he got to hear them out on the road while talking to his son's companions when he gathered them for this memoir. What first drew me to this memoir was the title. Many addiction memoirs are all about the tragedy so I was immediately drawn to the phrase "Leave out all the tragic parts." While we definitely got to hear about some of the difficult times in his grandson's life, this book was very much focused on the happy times and experiences he had and we also got to find out where the phrase originally came from, which was a great way to round this out.
Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
andrearbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Leave Out the Tragic Parts: A Grandfather's Search for a Boy Lost to Addiction by Dave Kindred was the story of a grandfather reflecting on the loss of his grandson. As he navigated the grief of his grandson's short life, he decided to learn more about who he was and what exactly happened to him. His grandson Jared left home at 18 and lived on the road as a train-hopper. With this, he struggled with alcohol addiction. The author reflects on Jared as a kid that he knew, then takes the time to explore Jared as the man on the run. Even in this, he is able to find good in what Jared brought to the friends he met along the way. He also finds the challenges he encounters throughout. This is a story of love told through loss. It's about a grandpa wanting to find answers, but knowing these will not bring Jared back. The story is honest as the author reflects on if he could have done more to save Jared, but also candidly shares this as a tribute to the life he did live. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this moving memoir due to be released in February 2021!
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
5.0
A 2022 staff favorite recommended by Nancy. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sleave%20out%20the%20tragic%20parts%20kindred__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
gigiinzim's review against another edition
5.0
The first thing to highlight about this book is that the author Dave Kindred is an incredible storyteller and writer. This book is heartfelt, well investigated and a powerful story. Those things alone make it a wonderful choice for the reader.
If you have been impacted by addiction at all, or if you work in the field of mental health or addiction, this is a book you will want to have in your library. There are sentences and paragraphs that are so helpful to different people impacted by the life of an addict.
I found the story powerful, the writing engaging. I have recommended this book to so many. Thank you Dave for the work you put into this book.
The publisher made a copy of this book available for review, this is my honest opinion.
If you have been impacted by addiction at all, or if you work in the field of mental health or addiction, this is a book you will want to have in your library. There are sentences and paragraphs that are so helpful to different people impacted by the life of an addict.
I found the story powerful, the writing engaging. I have recommended this book to so many. Thank you Dave for the work you put into this book.
The publisher made a copy of this book available for review, this is my honest opinion.
rileythomp's review against another edition
3.0
Gorgeous and heartwrenching reflections on love, loss and family - both given and found. The main plot just fell a bit short for me.
joshlegere's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
tswanson103's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful memorial of a grandfather’s love, a tragic tale of the grips of addiction, and a, at once both haunting and whimsical, story of life on the road. I can always tell when a book truly impacted me by my reaction to the acknowledgements, and this one made me teary. In those acknowledgements, Kindred mentions that he wanted his editors to help him make this narrative “sing” and there’s really no other way to describe it.
balooberry's review against another edition
3.0
I am not sure what I expected from this novel but it was a heartfelt read about a grandfather trying to connect to a wayward grandson. Overall, it was an honest and emotional journey. The book as a whole felt like a pursuit of closure for the author in the hopes of further understanding his grandson and his life choices. As such, some moments felt deeply personal but at times could be tedious for an outside reader.
Thank you Netgalley and Perseus Books, PublicAffairs for giving me an opportunity to read this arc in exchange of an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley and Perseus Books, PublicAffairs for giving me an opportunity to read this arc in exchange of an honest review.