Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found

This is a poignant memoir that I received as a gift. it was well-written, with a believable writing style to convey a little girl's thoughts. Overall well-paced, though I only have one complaint. The book ends rather abruptly. Yes, there is a sequel, but I honestly think that Ms. Lauck should have put both books together, that would have made for a more coherent story.

Written in a child's voice, this memoir tells of Jennifer Lauck's life from age five to about eleven.

Jennifer deeply loved her mother. But her mother was sick and could not always take care of her. Over time she was in the hospital more and more frequently, until she died. Jennifer and her older brother were then cared for by their father, who was often not home. Then he introduced them to Deb, and in time Deb and her father are wed.

From the start Deb and Jenny did not get along. Deb had odd ideas about how children learn, in part learned from the cult religion she followed. She also clearly favored her own three children over her husband's two. Jenny often felt like she wasn't a part of anything, that nobody really saw her, except show more to blame her for something she didn't understand. She resisted vocally much of the time but even when she tried to "cooperate" her efforts were not acknowledged.

Her life became worse and worse, until she was essentially abandoned, forced to make her own way, earning her living and finding her way to school when she could. It was only through a stroke of luck that she escaped this bizarre arrangement.

The story reveals how Jennifer learned not to trust and then to trust again. She says the writing was cathartic, as one would imagine it would be, although reliving some of the worst times was difficult. Her childhood shaped her personality and showed her that she was stronger than the adversities that set upon her. show less

This book grabbed me, shook me and when I wouldn't let go, sunk it's teeth in and devoured me. SOOO why didn't I give it 5 stars?

Well I always give 5 stars to any author that deals with abuse etc and the healing from telling their story. A bravery that goes beyond any star point system. However, the BOOK has to be spot on with no questions as to its accuracy.

This is a Memoir/ Bio and in such terrible tales effect the other people involved in the telling of that tale. I have a really hard time with books of this caliber telling me the truth from a child of tender years as being the truth beyond a doubt. I don't remember such things at that age but then I wasn't abused either. So for me unless it is explained like diaries or court show more documents or another's testimony etc. it is all suspect as to how the author can recall such vivid memories from an age that one usually cannot recall.

Do not get me wrong the book was excellent and the trials the author went thru were unspeakably cruel. Read this book, weep for a little, then sing with joy that the author was able to paint a rainbow at the end. But to get a five star put in the book somewhere the "how" the memories were brought to the surface. show less

The title is the reason I bought this book, of course, and am I ever glad I did! It was wonderful! It's like a modern time Cinderella, except you keep waiting and waiting for her life to turn around. When her parents die she is taken in by relatives that seem to do it more for the social security check than anything else. It is written from her child viewpoint without whining and very matter of fact. I can't wait for her next book/sequel....

Blackbird: A Childhood Lost and Found by Jennifer Lauck:

Thoughts and comments:

Taken from the dedication page:

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly."
The Beatles (1968)

"Blackbird", which I thought to be a novel while reading it, is in actuality a heartrending memoir written with such clarity from the viewpoint of author Jenifer Lauck's childhood from ages 5 to 11. She is one of a family of four. Her mother, with whom she has a wonderful relationship, is very ill and on some days cannot even get out of bed. Her father is a good and loving family man who works long hours while trying to care for his ill wife and family as best he can. Jenny also has an older pre-adolescent and emotional escapist show more brother.
She is a little girl who bends in the wind and under the direst of circumstances must take on the role of caregiver and sometime "adult". She bends but she does not break. She is always thinking of ways to help the situation while her older brother runs from it with his skateboard, often leaving her alone with her ill mother.
Jenny must absorb many life changes in her young years in order that her mother's health care may be better accommodated. A move far away so mother will be near better doctors and care facilities, non-existent time with her work worn father, a non-supportive brother who leaves her to clean up after their mother's messes and a family cousin who has come to take care of the kids but locks them out of the house while he gets high with his friends.
Despite all Jenny goes through she remains that soft little bird who tries her best to help make their life okay. Eventually her mother dies and Jenny is thrown into a new "family" with a "step" directly out of Jenny's favorite book "Snow White". She has many more trials to come and it would take all day to discuss them here, but with Jenny--you see a little girl who always looks for the positive side of what is happening regardless of the life she is forced to live.
Once I started this book I was unable to put it down. I found it horrifying and yet fascinating and real. It was very well written; realistic and not cloying. I very highly recommend it for anyone looking for a good read.
Our beloved Frank McCourt said of this book: "The unblinking look of one child at a hard world. Written gloriously & movingly."
He's right. show less

This poignant memoir about a young girl who loses her childhood, innocence and mother all too soon, touched me deeply. What a gorgeous story of this girl's journey through a neglectful and abusive childhood to emerge at the end of it shaped by her experiences. Jennifer Lauck does an incredible job of depicting somewhat delicate situations she experienced and telling them through the voice of a child so masterfully. Definitely a story that will stick with me for years to come.

...
En mycket gripande barndomsskildring av Jennifer Lauk, mycket sorglig och välskriven, som läsare är det lätt att känna med den lilla femåriga flickan som Jennifer är i början av boken. Blackbird slutar när Jennifer är 10 år och vill man veta vad som hände sedan kan man läsa fortsättning på självbiografin i Som Stilla Vatten som fortsätter där Blackbird slutade :