I’m always interested in stories of the immigrant experience, religious conversion, and survival of abuse. This book gives all that, and in spades to boot. This memoir was definitely a challenge for journalist McBride. Most chapters open with transcripts of his mother’s recounting of her life.

I’ve enjoyed the experience of this book, but there are at least as many unanswered questions as revelations that McBride answers.

I do have to say that I’m not very impressed with the ethics of the extended family of McBride’s mother. I don’t know how much of their attitude towards the “poor kin” I can excuse away given their times and faith.

[originally posted to BookCrossing, May 2003]