The Parent Bloggers Network

This story is Felicia’s; it’s about her life as a child with her mother, without her mother, around her mother’s family and her mother’s men. It’s not in chronological order, but that has no detrimental effect on the vignettes that are set down, each stark naked and raw. Each moment is given as what it is and there is no choice but to take it in. And this is so achingly, gorgeously written, I had no choice but to keep reading.

Thus represents many of the sentiments shared by our bloggers in reading Felicia Sullivan’s new memoir, The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here, a story of tragedy and triumph by one brave woman.

Our first group of bloggers shared their deep felt thoughts about her amazing story, and our second group of bloggers didn’t hold back.

Many of the bloggers personally identified with Felicia’s experiences. “I had no right to feel smug or superior to Felicia considering I battled my own demons while trying to figure out where I fit in the world except my addiction was sex rather than drugs. It was my power and a way to feel loved and worthy. Besides this is Felicia’s story and not mine.” One mom said this “As someone who has struggled with my own parental demons, although not nearly to the extent that she did, I can completely relate to Ms. Sullivan’s fight to not become just like the mother (in my case it was my father) who took so much away from her. ”

And even if they didn’t, many still felt her story could be appreciated by all parents. “I believe that every person can relate to one part of Felicia’s story. Perhaps your childhood wasn’t as challenging. Perhaps you didn’t have a coke addiction. But we’ve all struggled with finding our way and vowing in one way or another to NOT be like our parents, only to find ourselves being sucked into that trap.” Added another mom “This book has inspired me to be a better mom to my kids, because their childhood will surely affect their lives, the lives they touch and the lives of their children.”

A few bloggers pointed out the honest discussion about addiction. “Anyone reading this very personal, powerful, and moving memoir, should come away knowing at least one thing for certain: That the wreckage of substance abuse isn’t just physical, and it isn’t just mental. The wreckage is emotional, and it’s raw… and despite what you’ve been told, time doesn’t heal all wounds.”

Bloggers appreciated Felicia’s approach to the memoir. “Without following the usual chronological formula account of her childhood through adulthood, Sullivan’s memories of growing up with different men around, some abusive, others addicted are woven with her memories of hiding her past during college, and also with the relationship between her and her mother as an adult.” Another added, “The memoir is written not in strict chronological fashion. Rather, Felicia alternates between excerpts from her childhood and from her young adulthood. This juxtaposition of time periods adds both interest and suspense - at the end of each excerpt, I looked forward to the continuation of the excerpt that had come before - and kept the pace from bogging down (as I’ve found that it often does in chronologically-told histories).”

Many related well to her writing style. “Her writing style is smooth, descriptive and engaging. Reading Sky makes me feel as though I’m chatting with Sullivan in a corner of a dark, smoky bar while sipping a glass of cabernet as I hang on her every divulged secret.”

While Felicia’s story was heartbreaking, the bloggers saw the fantastic light at the end of the tunnel. “As I made it through the story, I saw that Felicia’s gift was to reveal how strength, power, love and hope can be found in the darkest places. Her life is a testament to these truths.” ”The fact that she wrote this memoir - a book as raw and choppy as she must have felt inside - is evidence of her ultimate triumph: the ability to face her past.”

Check out more fantastic book reviews here at Parent Bloggers Network.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, February 28th, 2008 at 10:00 am and is filed under Books. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.