Land’s memoir of her last year of undergraduate studies, when she saw the end of precarity in sight (though she still didn’t know how to make a living as a writer) but kept getting derailed by small changes. It is unflinching in its details, including its defense of pleasure and mistakes. Poverty in America is a tightrope, and those who don’t walk condemn those who do for every bobble. ( )

This is the continuation of author Stephanie Land’s book [Maid]. In her previous book she and her daughter escaped an abusive marriage and step-by-step worked low paying jobs and organized her life so that she could move to Missoula and attend the University of Montana’s English program. Her goal was to earn an English degree and ultimately, a MFA. She planned to become a writer.

In this sequel Stephanie continues her money struggles, continuing to do housecleaning jobs and caring for her child while juggling the commitments that taking University classes bring. She also deals with her unreliable and manipulative ex-husband, who over and over again, breaks her daughter’s heart. At the same time she is starting to date again.

She begins writing essays and small pieces for local publications and has some small successes, although the overwhelming number of people feel that her English degree is frivolous and won’t lead to a job. One of her instructors, author [Debra Magpie Earling] recognizes that her essays on single motherhood could be fleshed out into a book – and even a movie.

While disclosing her largest struggle seems like it would be too spoiler-ish, ultimately she believes that it is the major reason that she was turned down to continue in U of M’ s master’s program – that and her arm tatoo sleeves which the department admissions chair feels are unprofessional.

Without an MFA, she could not teach at the University level.

But she perseveres and triumphs when soon after being denied entrance in the MFA program, her book is accepted for publication, becomes a best seller, and is filmed. (Whadya think of me now!)

At times it was hard for me not to become judgmental of some of the author’s choices. And yet she demonstrated time and time again, that no matter the judgement of others she continued on the path that she felt was right for her. Friends, family, government institutions may all throw up roadblocks and let one down – but due to Land’s tenacity, her life became more than she had dreamed.

Still I was not as invested in this book as in her first one. I’ll give it 3.6 stars. ( )

I really enjoyed Maid, Land's first book. I wasn't as impressed with this novel.
It is the tale of the hardships she faced while trying to earn her degree and raising a child as a single mother. It describes fighting the system to get her husband to pay the appropriate child support, and highlights how heartbreaking it is for a child to be fooled by a parent who really doesn't care (the father).
However, sometimes, I felt that Land was careless. I didn't feel the emotional pull like I did in her first book. Still, a worthwhile read. ( )

I recently audited Urban Studies 101 at Queens College. One part of the syllabus, Gender Politics, matches up with Land's experiences to a tee!

You would think by now we would have been past the stupid stage of judging folks. In Class, Land is judged by many for marrying an abusive man, having his child, divorcing him, and moving away from him. And for deciding to go to college to get an English degree rather than settling for low income jobs to support her daughter. Land realized that the degree would help her get writing jobs which in the long run would bring in a better income to provide for her family than working at McDonald's would.

What's troublin is that the people make judgements ON her have never been in her situation; have no idea what single moms and their children experience: too few resources, trying to stretch child support and SNAP benefits for each month. These moms need to choose between paying for daycare or a new pair of shoes for growing kids, how to handle emergencies, paying for gas, diapers and other essentials. How can moms take good care of their children and themselves when many people including those supposed to help them believe these moms caused these problems, these moms are asking too much, they should have just stayed with their abusive partners and not come crying for help! Strange how many people hope they'll fail and disappear and become someone else's problem!

Outrageously and infuriatingly wrong and unhelpful. It doesn't acknowledge the deficits and dysfunction in all of our lives or the determination to push forward, fulfilling dreams of success. What could be more important than helping someone become independent, thrive and prosper? AND not need help from the government again!

I'm glad Land was strong and courageous (NOT resilient) in knowing what she wanted, focusing and following a difficult but productive path. Also glad she had a safety network of friends and neighbors to help her. She deserved it; sadly her family was remiss in supporting her.

Good read.

I didn’t read the author’s first memoir (at least I haven’t yet), but I really enjoyed this. How the author shares her story was wonderful, but I also got increasingly angry at her world including her circumstances as well as the wretched men. Also excellent shade throwing to the crap professor who denied her MFA program placement; I like the karma that Land is now likely infinitely wealthier and well-known without the MFA (which I’m glad too that she didn’t get as they do seem to mean nothing as far as value). ( )