Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year (Ballantine Reader's Circle) - Softcover

Lamott, Anne

Softcover

ISBN 10: 044990928X ISBN 13: 9780449909287

Publisher: Ballantine Books, 1994

Synopsis

It seems no mother of a newborn has ever been more hilarious, more honest, or more touching than Ann Lamott is in OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. A single parent whose baby's father is out of the picture, Lamott struggles not only to support her little family by her wits and her writing, but to stay sober at the same time. Faith in God helps; so does her loyal band of helpers, from her childless best friend Pammy to her mother and "Aunt Dudu" to the folks at the La Leche League hotline. And between colic, wheat-free diets, and the triumph of solid food, Lamott learns that blessings and losses come together, and that as our capacity for joy increases, so does our capacity for grief.
"An enormous triumph . . . Charming . . . Powerful . . . A gracious book, with dozens of lovingly drawn characters and a deep, infectious religiosity throughout. It is also funny." -- San Francisco Chronicle
"Smart, funny and comforting . . . Lamott has a conversational style that perfectly conveys her friendly, self-deprecating humor." -- Los Angeles Times Book Review

About this title

Review

The most honest, wildly enjoyable book written about motherhood is surely Anne Lamott's account of her son Sam's first year. A gifted writer and teacher, Lamott (Crooked Little Heart) is a single mother and ex-alcoholic with a pleasingly warped social circle and a remarkably tolerant religion to lean on. She responds to the changes, exhaustion, and love Sam brings with aplomb or outright insanity. The book rocks from hilarious to unbearably poignant when Sam's burgeoning life is played out against a very close friend's illness. No saccharine paean to becoming a parent, this touches on the rage and befuddlement that dog sweeter emotions during this sea change in one's life.

From the Publisher

Anne Lamott is someone I can truly relate too; single, in her thirties and full of many of the insecurities that independent women have. When she gets pregnant and her best friend develops cancer, she unlike most of us can write about all this with a heartbreaking clarity few can match. On top of this Anne Lamott is incredibly funny.

I'm a sales rep for Ballantine books and this has been one of my favorite books to sell over the years. But if I was to quit tomorrow I would still be talking about this book. It is a book I have given to countless friends the past few years. Expectant parents especially, both men and women love this book because Lamott is able to verbalize the entire spectrum of emotions a child can bring into their lives.
        --Karen Hayes, Sales Rep.

Edition details

• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 044990928X
• ISBN 13: 9780449909287
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 253