Barbara Robinette Moss (1954–2009)

I haven't read Moss' previous memoir, Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter, which apparently provides more back story about her childhood and is more highly acclaimed than this follow-up work. Fierce does stand alone, however, and you needn't read the first to appreciate the second. Even though her life circumstances could lead many people to self pity, Moss never goes there and keeps the tone matter-of-fact. Several events are memorable. (I appreciated the garbage can story. For many readers, the neighbors involved will resemble a strict home owner's association and people like that are found all over.)

The writing is not complex. There were times when the sharing of her story felt a bit disjointed, as if she hadn't quite reached a truly deep understanding of some of the events in her life or perhaps therapy and healing has softened some of the hard details in the re-telling. Many of the stories of her childhood seemed to be in sharper focus than the more recent events. This could be simply the difference of looking through the eyes of a child versus an adult. It could even be that after writing the first book which dealt with her childhood, this second part of her memoir lost some of the immediacy and drive to share her life history. I did struggle a bit with really understanding Moss' choices (her attraction to abusive men) but that's due to my background.

Adult children of alcoholics will perhaps appreciate Moss more and have a greater understanding of her poor choices. It was nice to know that her life has reached a place of healing from her past and she is in a healthy relationship.
Highly Recommended, but it might be better to read her first book before this one.
http://shetreadssoftly.blogspot.com/
… (mer)

Book Club read, was nervous going in sounded like another depressing read.
This is a memoir about growing up poor and undaunted in the South. Barbara Robinette Moss chronicles her family's chaotic, impoverished survival in the red-clay hills of Alabama. A wild-eyed, alcoholic father and a humble, heroic mother along with a shanty full of rambunctious brothers and sisters fill her life to the brim with stories that are gripping, tender, and funny.
Moss's early fascination with art coincides with her desire to transform her "twisted mummy face," which grew askew due to malnutrition and lack of medical care. Gazing at the stars on a clear Alabama night, she wishes to be the "goddess of beauty, much-loved daughter of Zeus."
I had a hard time with this time flow in this book, it seemed really slow at first, then we suddenly had skipped high school and she was a single mom. WTF? Then the fixing of her face was in the epilogue, not in the story itself? It happened during the fast forward part, it was confusing. I'm not sure what the point was, I mean there was no conclusion, she just stopped writing. I had a ton of unanswered questions when I was done reading. Did she confront her Mom about why did she stay with her Dad? Did she ever find or confront her parents about Mary Louise? Why was Janet so sheltered?
For additional reviews please see my blog at www.adventuresofabibliophile.blogspot.com… (mer)

This is a fascinating memoir about growing up poor in the south with an alcoholic and abusive father. The family is held together by Moss’ mother, Dorris, who is obsessively devoted to her husband. Suffering from malnutrition, Moss face is disfigured, which is a constant source of worry and embarrassment. Through determination and strength of character Moss escapes her family situation and overcomes her challenges.

This is a very compelling story. It is well written and engaging. My heart broke for Moss and her siblings, as she related story after story of her childhood. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in memoirs or coming-of-age stories. Overall, I rate this book 5 out of 5.… (mer)