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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
This memoir was carefully written as a unique story told in a way that connects readers from all backgrounds and upbringings. Almost everyone has a moment, or moments, in their life when they realize that there are some things they want to make sure they do differently when they have a family of their own — things they never want their children to experience like they did, or things they never experienced that they want their children to. In We Are All Shipwrecks, Kelly Grey Carlisle recognizes that there are so many versions of stories similar to hers, and doesn’t dismiss any story as being too small to be told. Her story is an inspiration to all the untold stories of childhood experiences, stories of growing up and breaking free from what you thought was “normal” all those years, while still knowing you wouldn’t quite be the same person you are today without those experiences.
What an amazing memoir! Carlisle immediately hooks you with a tender but honest recounting of her voyage from an awkward child to a confident adult and all the quirky, loving and exasperating people who played vital roles in her growth. Added to this is the shadow of a mother she never knew, who was brutally murdered by an unknown person, and whose loss the young Kelly increasingly experiences as she grows up and becomes a mother herself. Wonderful writing and a compelling life story make this book a must-read!
- Louisa A.
- Louisa A.
I really enjoyed this book. It was quirky and entertaining but also had a line of mystery running through it that kept me intrigued. I look forward to other contributions from the author, Kelly Carlisle.
*I received an advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own."
*I received an advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own."
First off, I never talked to Dr. Carlisle during my time at Trinity but she always seemed like a great professor from a far. I picked up this book from a recommendation from my friend, Maddie Smith. I really enjoyed this book. It was profound and meaningful in a way that felt very personal and grounded. There were so many events in her life that could have been this melodramatic climax but, ultimately, the book plays out very much like all of our lives. There are dips and highs and fleeting experiences and lasting memories and lots of unsatisfying conclusions. Our lives just happen. There's no guarantee for closure or even happiness but we have to do our best to live with ourselves, each in our own way. My favorite part of the book is definitely the lack of black-and-white characters. Even the short-lived appearances of the people at the Marina had assumptions and then revelations in every one of them. People and opinions are something we always have and know yet they should and do change when we take the time to understand them better. As someone who grew up with challenging family life, this helped me cope, in some small ways, to the realities of my situation and the people around my life. We're all, to some degree, all victims and products of our past though, deep down, there is a genuine love driving most of us. Anyways, this was a wonderful book that I'd happily recommend.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. It is a coming of age story of a young girl in very difficult circumstances. It was interesting enough for me to finish the book, but it never really captured me.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
I don’t usually read memoirs because they make me sad, and I was very understandably sad while reading this one. but the nuance and depth to the storytelling is something i would strive for in every book.
i have taken a class by Dr Carlisle. i think she’s brilliant and im so glad to have read her book. storytelling is so important - everyone’s living a multitude of lives and it’s important to learn about them.
i have taken a class by Dr Carlisle. i think she’s brilliant and im so glad to have read her book. storytelling is so important - everyone’s living a multitude of lives and it’s important to learn about them.
My kind of story. True life, vivid characters, surviving.
We Are All Shipwrecks is a lovely, moving memoir about a childhood filled with love and confusion and embarrassment...and also a houseboat, porn store, and murdered mother. There's something striking about the juxtaposition of these totally "abnormal" childhood experiences mixed with the absolutely "normal" growing pains that all children go through. Carlisle's voice is matter-of-fact, relaying all the strange revelations with a straightforwardness that allows the reader to be swept along in the narrative.
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
