How can you sum up in a few words after having read such a story. A true story. I don't know what was more shocking; that there are children that are raised this way, that relationships can withstand such depth, or that she actually survived her life to write her memoir. It was not surprising to me to read an endorsement from Augusten Burroughs that I related to wholeheartedly (he is after all of interest to me and his own life story). As quoted, "I felt many many things while reading this book - which I did in one overnight sitting - but when I reached the last page I felt only one: a tremendous respect for its author and a deep appreciation of just exactly how courageous she is to publish this book. This is no celebrity addiction memoir. And it is no 'former child star falls from grace' saga, either. It is the heart-wrenching and perilous story that thousands and thousands of perfectly ordinary women and men lived themselves, silently, numbly, and with obedience and love. By making her search for redemption public - despite the inevitable backlash - Mackenzie Phillips may very well help others find it for themselves. Rich with compassion, forgiveness, and wisdom, this is a brave memoir executed with an unwavering loyalty and commitment to truth. I absolutely loved her strength, to step out and embrace all her weaknesses and face the person within. I always feel strange when I rate books like this. To say that I enjoyed reading a book that was about the tragedy after tragedy in a person's life just doesn't seem ok in the slightest bit. And anyway, who am I to judge a person's recollection and memories of their own life? All I can really say is that it just goes to show you that no matter how privileged and easy someone should have it in life, everyone fights some kind of battle. Props to Mackenzie for having the courage to share all the good, bad, and ugly parts of her life with us, and having the strength to overcome.
What do You think about High On Arrival (2009)?
if half of what she wrote was true....God bless her
—tiffanyrose66
