 "Thanks for Sharing" | 2008-06-27 |
| - Reviewed By User: AABV3P9HN6CYL |
| This memoir is not just Barbara's, but is the story of everyone who has grown up in an alcoholic family. I could empathise with her trials, fears, anger and perceptions, and would often find myself nodding subconsciously as I read along. I felt I knew her well. Thank you so much for courageously sharing your story. |
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| "Find Joy In the Most Desparate of Situations" | 2008-03-17 |
| - Reviewed By User: A23MAG8UKFL0QW |
Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter is a powerful and poignant story of impoverished life as experienced by Barbara Moss.
Surrounded by poverty, alcoholism, abuse, malnutrition and facial deformities, Moss could easily have allowed herself to be trapped in that negative world. Instead, through determination and the kindness of a few strangers along the way, she rose above adversity and has been able to escape the clutches of childhood demons.
In 1996, Moss won the Gold Medal for Personal Essay in the William Faulkner Creative Writing Contest. Her winning essay became the first chapter of Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter. Her life, her determination, and her writing acheivements serve as an inspiration to the aspiring writer in me.
When I first read this book, I was working through the emotional impact of having undergone facial surgery to remove a malignant melanoma and recreate a nose. At the time of that first reading, I was more tuned into the parts of Moss's story which dealt so poignantly with the emotional effects of her deformed face and people's unkind reactions to that deformity. Her drive to find a way to resolve the situation was nothing less than admirable. Now that I am a few years beyond my surgery and have re-read her story, I find her desire to become Zeus's daughter (the goddess of beauty) pales in comparison to the beautiful person who writes this remarkable story.
With grace and insight, Moss takes us back in time to a place where life seemed to surely be waging war against her. In what she calls an effort to heal wounds and reclaim her family, she writes of both the challenges and the triumphs of childhood, adolesence and adulthood. Throughout the story, Moss interjects memories of a humorous nature - proving that even in the most desparate of situations, it is possible to find joy.
In what can only be described as a "wise beyond her years" approach, the ninth grade Moss wrote a list of eight things she wanted to do to improve herself. At the top of the list were "1. Remove moles on face, 2. Get braces on teeth, 3. Fix face." It is incredible that one so young would seize such determination and not let go until she had accomplished these seemingly insurmountable goals. Shortly after writing these goals, she began to act upon them. Her book reveals the ways she accomplished them. With remarkable insight, Moss writes about how each achieved goal created both negative and positive issues for her.
Moss's writing talent is evident in this deeply personal and moving story. Her gift to her readers is the lesson of redemption and grace in the midst of life's biggest hurdles.
by Lee Ambrose
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women |
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| "I wish I could give this more stars!!!!" | 2008-01-06 |
| - Reviewed By hairdoer01 |
I could not put this book down! I got so caught up in this memoir, I couldn't wait to finish it. Then, when it was done I wished I hadn't read it in 4 days! It is filled with gut wrenching stories, sometimes so incredible it seems they can't be real. The part that takes place at Christmas was especially moving to me.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. |
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 "new york bookworm" | 2007-11-10 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1DCL4A4MBPL8E |
a heart-wrenching true memoir that is almost unbelievable to imagine. how children can cope with the harshest
abuse,emotionally and physically, with a mother standing by silently shows what resilience the human spirit can endure. looking forward to the sequel"fierce" |
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| "Interesting memoir" | 2007-08-29 |
| - Reviewed By rbak37 |
| I didn't know much about about this part of the United States..I have been reading more memoirs set there since I read this book. |
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| "One of the Best Memoirs I Ever Read" | 2007-08-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: A20TLFEVFSWTC7 |
I loved this book. It really touched my heart and evoked so many emotions in me, and brought me to tears more than once. Mostly, I wanted to reach right through the pages and hug Barbara and all her siblings. And her mother too. What strength and character each of them has shown. I am in awe and admiration of all of them. I loved how they really looked out for each other and protected one another: from the father, in school, in their neighborhood.
It is so sad that any children had to live like this, but I know many do. Blessings to Barbara and her siblings and I hope they have all healed from the trauma of their childhood and are enjoying much deserved happiness.
Oh, and it was wonderful to see Alice's review!!!!!
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| "Turn Me Into Zeus's Daughter" | 2007-05-14 |
| - Reviewed By newcompass |
Ms. Moss is the master of the art of the memoir. Her engaging opening line, "Mother spooned the poisoned corn and beans into her mouth, ravenously, eyes closed, hands shaking.," cannot prepare the reader
for the hypnotic tale that unravels, making it nearly impossible to stop reading.
While I had sworn off the Southern trailer park genre, Moss drew me into a personal journey that eclipsed all other memoirs and/or the fictional "biography." Her capicity to weave the unfathonable into her often humorous and lyrical true story of degradition, despair, danger, and disfiguration underscores the value of resilence, tenacity, humor, and critical thinking.
The writer shares a story of the darkest and most shameful view of humanity without a trace of self-pity. Instead she paints a portrait of survival,courage, and the importance of forgiving and moving on.
Having met her at a writer's workshop, I can say, without reservation,that Barbara Robinette Moss, is genuine, talented, and joyful. She is inspirational, and committed to demonstrating the possibility of a fulfilled life in spite of circunstance. |
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| "Fellow Alabamian" | 2006-08-24 |
| - Reviewed By linrainh2o |
| Being from the same area as Ms. Moss, I enjoyed this book on several personal levels. Not only did I recognize all the places, but the people were so familiar. And, while I never suffered like she did growing up, more of what she describes is a part of me than I'd like to admit. What is beautiful about this story, though, is that it will touch anyone, from anywhere. It is a worthy book and I applaud my neighbor! |
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| "Perfect" | 2006-02-07 |
| - Reviewed By User: A16JLUC23KCM19 |
| This is a perfect read. Nothing is mising or over-spoken, just absolutely perfect. Moss is a true inspiration for any woman. |
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| "Siblings" | 2005-11-08 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1IUZ8Y8B9S6I2 |
The one thing I loved about this memoir was the relationship (never truly explored and maybe somewhat understated) between the siblings. At the very beginning of the book, we hear about Janet -- the youngest who thinks that her father always wore glasses. And we also hear about Stewart (one of the older kids) about who the author stated: "As a matter of fact, we had all expected Dad to outlive Stewart. Stewart's been trying to drink himself to death ....."
But all through this memoir, there is description after description of the kids banding together and surviving some really awful stuff. Though the parents are obviously central figures in her young life, the real heroes are her and her brothers and sisters.
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