pickI'm a little late for the #OhCanada discussion, but I didn't want to miss out on this book. It's hard to review a memoir, especially one with this much trauma, but I think Knott faced her trauma head on and framed her story well. I'm interested to see what her newer book is like.
I really enjoyed this. At first it seemed like the story of a young girl growing up on a ranch, with an almost idyllic life, but the detail about Ernestine‘s future revealed that the story was going to get darker. This is my first Ethel Wilson, but won‘t be my last.
Does anyone else think that Hetty would be able to get herself out of trouble in Austria, no matter how ominous the last lines? 😏
#PersephoneClub
What did you think of Helen Knott as a storyteller? Are there any others areas of her life that you'd enjoy reading about if she were to write another book? Would you like to see her diversify outside of memoirs if she chose too? General thoughts on the author?
Our first memoir for the #OhCanada read and to me this book is such a powerful and impactful read. So many tough topics and to know that this isn't a work of fiction but a memoir. General thoughts on the book and anything you would like to discuss about the book? Did you enjoy it?
https://youtu.be/JRbIwLJEwUA?si=MQ0mjZvqr7Uuxjxu
Intro
Mystery guest
Week in review
Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa
The Whale Tattoo by Jon Ransom
You Better Be Lightning by Andrea Gibson
Watching You Without Me by Lynn Coady
Animal Person by Alexander MacLeod
Set My Hand Upon the Plough by E. M. Barraud
Lori & Joe by Amy Arnold
Cold Fish Soup by Adam Farrer
Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions by Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi
....
Beautiful day for some outside reading in the backyard. It is almost sweater weather today and probably will be this evening. Starting the reread of the #OhCanada book. Will post a discussion post on August 31st.
pick#OffMyShelf - memoir
#OhCanada
“Healing isn‘t a freeing experience when you‘re in the middle of it. It feels like land mines are exploding and ripping your flesh apart. Everywhere you step is dangerous.”
Powerful and raw. Knott writes about her struggles with addiction and abuse as an indigenous Canadian. Reminded me also of “Tattoos on the Heart” with its appeal to withhold judgment.
Trigger warnings for drug use, sexual assault and abuse.
Helen Knott‘s father was sent to a residential school,so he had no role models as to how to parent.But he did learn that parents read to their children before bed. Although he was incredibly uncomfortable in this role as a bedtime reader, he persevered. #OhCanada
