A review by karaswils
Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

“I didn’t want anyone to be a villain, and I didn’t want anyone to be a hero or a savior.” This statement perfectly encapsulates the way Ashley C. Ford depicts her most formative and heart-wrenching childhood, adolescent, and young adult experiences in Somebody’s Daughter: A Memoir. Everyone in the book gets a fair shake from Ford’s perspective, including her father who served 25 years in prison, and her violent and vivacious mother who raised her. 

The content warnings for this book are about a mile long, but nothing is gratuitous or sensationalized—it is simply honest, and even kind and sympathetic at points. Furthermore, Ford is able to clearly articulate the motivations, perceptions, and disappointments that everyone in the memoir feels, especially her and the people who raised her. But she still keeps her perspective and truth front and center, and thus the love, heartbreak, and truth in her story shine through. 

Ashley C. Ford is an excellent narrator as well as writer. I highly recommend the audio version of this book.

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