"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
The hardships related here are both familiar and unique: the Christmas presents exchanged for drink money, the failed businesses, the decrepit shacks that served as temporary homes, the disturbing early-morning discipline. Under the tyrannical rule of a father who "inflicted pain recreationally, both physical and emotional," the only bright spot in Moss's childhood was her mother, Dorris. Slavishly devoted to her husband ("she seemed to crave him as much as he craved alcohol"), Dorris held the family together by absorbing most of the abuse. But in the end she lacked the courage to leave him, and her children had to act as their own protectors. As if poverty and her father's mistreatment weren't enough of a burden, Moss also had to contend with a face disfigured by malnutrition. As a result, she sought refuge in whatever elusive beauty she could find: the poetry her mother taught as a substitute for material things; the fertile, red Alabama soil; the love of her baby sister Janet. Her urge to create beauty and her longing to embody it culminate in surgery that transforms her face but brings with it a crisis of identity.
In her outpouring of memories, Moss occasionally gets lost in her tale, embedding flashback within flashback. More problematic is the portrayal of her father: he's relentlessly cruel until a near-fatal beating, after which he begins to briefly connect with his children. For us, it's too late, and we can only react to his death with a sigh of relief. But these minor quibbles are just that. Moss's extraordinary memoir enthralls us from its alarming introduction--in which Dorris feeds her starving children a meal of potentially poisonous seeds--to its poignant conclusion. --Lisa Costantino
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 4.50
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. 1st Edition. This is a New and Unread copy of the first edition (1st printing). Seller Inventory # 036988
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_074320218X
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard074320218X
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think074320218X
Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # FrontCover074320218X
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. 1st Edition. New Unread Hardcover. 1st Edition-Stated. 1st Printing-Full # Line. Not price clipped. Not a remainder. BEAUTIFUL copy of Book & Dust Jacket. COLLECTOR'S COPY. Seller Inventory # 001690
Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # RCT1--0321
Book Description Condition: New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! 1.35. Seller Inventory # Q-074320218X