The Terrible: A Storyteller's Memoir
by Yrsa Daley-Ward
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"From the celebrated poet behind bone, a lyrical memoir--part prose, part verse--about coming-of-age, uncovering the cruelty and beauty of the wider world, and redemption through self-discovery and the bonds of family "You may not run away from the thing that you are because it comes and comes and comes as sure as you breathe." This is the story of Yrsa Daley-Ward, and all the things that happened--"even the terrible things. And God, there were terrible things." It's about her childhood in show more the northwest of England with her beautiful, careworn mother Marcia; the man formerly known as Dad (half fun, half frightening); and her little brother Roo, who sees things written in the stars. It's also about the surreal magic of adolescence, about growing up and discovering the power and fear of sexuality, about pitch-gray days of pills and powder and connection. It's about damage and pain, but also joy. Told with raw intensity and shocking honesty, The Terrible is a memoir of going under, losing yourself, and finding your voice"-- "A lyrical memoir -- part prose, part verse -- about coming-of-age, uncovering the cruelty and the beauty of the wider world, and redemption through self-discovery and the bonds of family"-- show lessTags
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Member Reviews
A collection of deeply personal poems which tell the story of the author's growing up and early struggles with drugs, alcohol, and sex work. These poems are beautiful, evocative, deeply disturbing and yet somehow magical. I'm definitely going to be checking out more by this powerful voice.
I almost 3 starred simply because I did not necessarily like the writing style, but did enjoy the story. After finishing and flipping back a bit, the more I think about it, the style really fits the subject matter(The Terrible).
This is a good story but it's written as a poem, to no real effect, and I was like
why.
why.
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5+ Works 589 Members
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- Members
- 172
- Popularity
- 189,483
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (4.05)
- Languages
- English, German
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 10
- ASINs
- 2
