Musical Chairs
Jen Knox
Indie Memoir/YA
[rating: 5/5]
Available in…
• Mobi/Kindle
… from…
• Amazon
• MobiPocket
Also in paperback
Some time ago, Jen Knox and I swapped memoirs. She sent me a copy of Musical Chairs, which explores her family’s history of mental health diagnoses, her years of strip-dancing, alcoholism, and estrangement, and her struggle for reconciliation. (That’s from the cover.)
I also sent her a copy of Love through the Eyes of an Idiot. In full disclosure, just as I had started reading her book, Jen sent me an email about mine:
I finally posted my review of your delightful book. Oh how it made me remember how lucky I am to have found Chris after all the relationships (if you can call them that) that came before him. He thanks you. I thank you, for writing a great read.
Truthfully, I’m gratified that Jen enjoyed my book. And I did really want to like hers as well— I always want to like a book from a fellow author, and it upsets me when I don’t. But I will tell you exactly what problems I had with Musical Chairs:
-
I ran across numerous line-editing issues, including misspelled words, bad punctuation (like ending a sentence with a comma, in at least two places), and sentences that made no sense in context. The best typo I found on page 152, where Jen wrote about working at the bookstore: “As I cleared dust from a self in the psychology section…” So, was that an ego or an id? (Ba dum bum.)
-
Some details were missing from spots in the story where I would naturally expect them, popping up as surprises elsewhere. For example, all the time Jen was staying with Miss Sarah and her daughter (in the chapter entitled “Miss Sarah”), I thought Sarah was a white, single mother. It was only much later in the book that I was told that Sarah (or at least her daughter) had darker skin, that she was married to a Latino who had treated Jen rudely, and that she had some pretty bizarre racial ideas.
-
Jen begins with a panic attack, and she concludes as the panic attacks disappear… I think. I have nothing against waxing eloquent, as she did in the epilogue; I’m just not sure how she concluded the story. (But otherwise the epilogue did leave me feeling uplifted and satisfied.)
All of my complaints were counterbalanced, however, by the fact that I literally couldn’t put the damn book down! That’s why I’ve been absent this week. I blew through the entire thing in a little over a day, immersing myself in her story every moment I could. Really, no joke, no exaggeration: I read until I got tired; then I napped, woke up, and continued where I left off; lather, rinse, repeat.
Truthfully, before I started the book, I half expected a melodramatic pity party for a life beset by personal tragedy and self-destruction. On the contrary, Jen drew me into her story, the story of a girl I could hardly believe existed.
At one point, I reclined in a hot bath with Jen’s book in one hand and a cup of Earl Grey in the other. I looked at the cup, a commemorative mug, dated November 20, 1994, for the centennial anniversary of the facility at which my Beloved interned. I suddenly realized that at that very time, Jen had run away from home, 15 years old, and was living with her 19-year-old boyfriend. My Beloved was about to launch her career, and during the same autumn, Jen was about to launch herself into boyfriends and sex and statutory rape and the real thing, erotic dances for money, fights and alcohol and the battle for control and delusions and psychosis and abandonment— But through it all, Jen seemed so… normal to me. I genuinely sympathized with her, felt for her in her quest, desired to reach out to her and provide what I saw she was missing in her life. And I smiled when she finally began to find it.
This is the reason I read independent memoirs, to meet people I might never otherwise know, through them to live experiences I could never otherwise fathom, and to win victories I would never otherwise have even pursued. And Musical Chairs generously filled that need.
-TimK
|
Musical Chairs |
Available in… |
Наркологическая скорая помощь в Москве — клиника «Частный Медик 24» предлагает экстренную помощь на дому. Наши специалисты приедут к вам в течение 30 минут и проведут необходимые процедуры для стабилизации состояния.
Разобраться лучше – скорая наркологическая помощь на дому москва
Публикация предоставляет читателю набор разрозненных идей, которые сложно применить на практике. Мы лишь слегка касаемся разных точек зрения, не углубляясь в анализ и не предлагая никаких выводов.
Вот – бесплатные порно видео
Recently, I needed anti-parasitic meds medication and stumbled upon a great pharmacy. They sell human grade meds no script needed. If you need to treat lice quickly, highly recommended: https://ivermectinexpress.com/#. Safe and secure
Мы собрали для вас самые захватывающие факты из мира науки и истории. От малознакомых деталей до грандиозных событий — эта статья расширит ваш кругозор и подарит новое понимание того, как устроен наш мир.
Не упусти шанс – https://www.realty-key.ru/themes/prodazha
В этом обзорном материале представлены увлекательные детали, которые находят отражение в различных аспектах жизни. Мы исследуем непонятные и интересные моменты, позволяя читателю увидеть картину целиком. Погрузитесь в мир знаний и удивительных открытий!
Прочесть заключение эксперта – https://www.realty-key.ru/themes/biznes
В этой информационной статье вы найдете интересное содержание, которое поможет вам расширить свои знания. Мы предлагаем увлекательный подход и уникальные взгляды на обсуждаемые темы, побуждая пользователей к активному мышлению и критическому анализу.
Читать полностью – https://mecuniversity.us/portfolio/advertising-media-industry
Эта разъяснительная статья содержит простые и доступные разъяснения по актуальным вопросам. Мы стремимся сделать информацию понятной для широкой аудитории, чтобы каждый мог разобраться в предмете и извлечь из него максимум пользы.
Уточнить детали – https://kravingsfoodadventures.com/jerk-turkey-thanksgiving-special
Эта статья предлагает живое освещение актуальной темы с множеством интересных фактов. Мы рассмотрим ключевые моменты, которые делают данную тему важной и актуальной. Подготовьтесь к насыщенному путешествию по неизвестным аспектам и узнайте больше о значимых событиях.
Раскрыть тему полностью – https://lacasasulportoditaranto.it/natura-da-esplorare-il-parco-delle-dune-costiere
В этой информационной статье вы найдете интересное содержание, которое поможет вам расширить свои знания. Мы предлагаем увлекательный подход и уникальные взгляды на обсуждаемые темы, побуждая пользователей к активному мышлению и критическому анализу.
Не упусти шанс – https://www.realty-key.ru/themes/turizm
Lately, I had to find scabies treatment for humans and found this reliable site. You can get genuine Ivermectin delivered fast. For treating parasites quickly, check this out: click here. Best prices
п»їTo be honest, I needed Ciprofloxacin quickly and found a reliable pharmacy. You can order meds no script securely. For treating a bacterial infection, this is the best place. Fast shipping guaranteed. Check it out: https://antibioticsexpress.com/#. Cheers.
Actually, I needed anti-parasitic meds medication and stumbled upon this source. It offers 3mg, 6mg & 12mg tablets with express shipping. If you need to treat parasites effectively, this is the best place: this site. Safe and secure
Hey there! Just wanted to share an awesome online drugstore for those who need prescriptions at a discount. The site has the best prices on health products. If you want to save, visit here: express pharmacy. Cheers.
To be honest, I had to buy Amoxil for a tooth infection and stumbled upon a great pharmacy. They sell Amoxicillin 500mg fast. For fast relief, highly recommended: AmoxicillinExpress Store. Hope it helps.
Lately, I wanted to get Amoxil for a tooth infection and came across Amoxicillin Express. You can get antibiotics without prescription overnight. If you are in pain, highly recommended: buy antibiotics for tooth infection. Get well soon.
Современные методы лечения в наркологической клинике в Новокузнецке основаны на доказательной медицине. При поступлении пациент проходит полное обследование, включающее оценку физического состояния, психоэмоционального фона и наличия сопутствующих заболеваний. На основе полученных данных составляется персональная программа терапии, охватывающая медицинский, психологический и социальный аспекты выздоровления.
Подробнее – [url=https://narcologicheskaya-klinika-v-novokuzneczke17.ru/]наркологическая клиника цены[/url]