In the two short weeks that our parent bloggers have been reading Felicia Sullivan’s memoir “The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here,” they’ve been touched by her heartwrenching story of abuse, addiction, and abandonment. But they’ve also been warmed by her tale of triumph and renewal of the human spirit.

“Viewed one scene at a time, the story is tragic, viewed as a whole, life creates the story of triumph over adversity, self-loating, anger and the necessity to portray perfection.”

Bloggers commented about the realism in Felicia’s writing. “I have never read a book that pulled me so far into the real world of addiction; Felicia uses such intense detail when recounting the horrors she survived that I feel as if I was walking in her shoes beside her.” Another added “But the book also stands as a beautifully crafted piece of writing. Some of Sullivan’s descriptions of her mother took my breath away: She took the sun like sacrament, or Her body is a small house, seemingly incapable of sheltering tears.”

Addtionally, bloggers noted the unique narrative and style of this memoir. “The narrative jumps around a LOT - I had a hard time following it - but after finding a few gem paragraphs like the ones quoted above, I relaxed and decided Felicia’s book is jumpy because her life and memory was, and this, after all, is a memoir.”

It was hard for the bloggers to not be moved by Felicia’s harrowing life experiences. “I will not soon forget Sullivan’s story, which made me ache with the desire to mother the little girl she was, to spare her the abuse, physical and verbal, that was heaped upon her. No child should have to undergo what she did.” ”I was haunted by the young girl who saw her mother overdose one too many times, who was abused by strange, unfamiliar men, never knowing who her father was. I cringed for the woman she grew into, a woman who drank until blackout and came this close to selling her eggs for coke money.” 

One blogger had to put the book down at times not because it wasn’t a good read, but because the content was difficult to read about. “More than once I would find myself so incredibly shocked by something that had happened to her, particularly as a child, that I had to stop reading for a bit, just to compose myself. Frequently I would put the book down and go hug my own kids.”

But they were hopeful and inspired by her triumph. “Her broken heart is quiet and strong. Her details are specific and bizarre. Her story is completely touching and inspiring.”  “When I finished The Sky Isn’t Visible from Here I felt an overwhelming sense of pride for Felicia, for the little girl who survived a terrible childhood and the woman who turned her life around in spite of it all, and I felt inspired – by her strength, her bravery and by her beautiful, unforgettable story – to consider penning my own.” Added this blogger: “But it isn’t all bitterness and sorrow, and the lack of a ghost writer credit on the jacket offers a clue. Felicia Sullivan triumphed over the bad hand she was dealt and achieved success as a journalist and essayist. ”

Another blogger summed it up well.

It’s a fantastic read because it’s a story of survival, of perseverance, of hope: growing up with a drug-addicted mother only to hit rock bottom later in life, losing everything that’s important – family, friends, a good job, a long-term relationship, a sense of self – and fighting to come out on top. It’s Felicia’s song and she sings emphatically, proudly, with nary a hint of shame or regret.

Follow along as the parent bloggers review this memoir, and win a copy of your own. Just leave a comment on this post telling us why you’d like to read this book, and we’ll pick one winner at random at the close of this campaign.

Today - Quarter Rest
Friday 2/15 - Mama Drama Stephanie
Monday 2/18 - Lipstick to Crayons
Tuesday 2/19 - Motherhood Uncensored
Wednesday 2/20 - Mother Bumper , SusieJ
Thursday 2/21 - Delaney Diaries
Friday 2/22 - One Chic Mama
Monday 2/25 - Gunfighter’s View, Soul Gardening
Tuesday 2/26 - Ruth Dynamite
Thursday 2/28 - Final Round Up