Linda

This book is definitely top tier of the books I've listened to, and it is Carol's own personal touch that makes it so worthwhile.

Carol, of course, it is her autobiography.

It was real, it was from her heart.

Yes, I laughed out loud and I teared up. It was a terrific insight into Carol, the person.

When I purchased this book, I was looking for an escape. Instead, I got a story of death, human cruelty, drug abuse, disfunctional families, etc. I could not finish it. If you want a close look at the human condition in modern England, this is your book.

Biography

None

Did not like the entire premise of the book.

Just not my cup of tea.

I found the book interesting, but painful. Both main characters had very difficult, dangerous and abusive childhoods, albeit, very different problems. Something in common, however, was that both had a parent with severe substance abuse problems. It is amazing that they both survived, but more amazing is that they both emerged as productive, successful adults. But, this was not the kind of story that I wanted to read. I wanted a feel good story of rescue and redemption. Instead, I got a story of survival. I loved "Blind Side" and was hoping for a story on that level. Instead, this is a story of two very damaged, destructive families and two survivors who come together to help each other. Yes, it has a happy ending, but getting through the journey was painful.

It is what it is. Changing the story would have made it fiction.

Well read with emotion. Great performance.

Maybe. If you want a story of survival, this is the story for you. I can certainly see this story giving someone hope and power. If you are feeling rather "beat up" and you need a happy story, pass over this one.

The Best! Amazing performance. Breaths new life into a story that we all know well.

Beginning to end, not a dull moment.

The whole thing is amazing. Tim Curry performs the book, he doesn't just read the words. He lives the words.

Take the time and listen to this audio book. Worth your time.

Amazing story of survival and accomplishment by a very talented child who became a very wise and talented woman. But, her journey was more painful for me than interesting. Melissa never makes you feel sorry for her. Rather, you feel stunned and angry for her. She handles her mother in a rather matter-of-fact way that is nonjudgemental, which is amazing, considering what mother did to Melissa and her sister, Tiffany. This nonjudgemental voice makes it possible for you to listen without the emotion of sorrow, but for me, I found myself getting angry. Mother was a bad person.

Yes.

yes

Mommy Dearest meets Dragon Mother

Yes, I'd listen again. There was so much information packed into this book, but written in such a way that it was entertaining too. The ending of the book, in which Mr John talks about the desperate need to dispense AIDS drugs to prevent the spread of the disease was so heartening, that I thought it should have been in the first paragraph. It would have given me a better perspective on the whole story. AIDS is such a sad story, I was thrilled to hear a surprise happy ending. I had no idea that the current AIDS drugs were so effecient at the prevention of the spread of the virus.

Mr John's revelation that he would either die or dry up his drug/ booze addictions.

He makes it so personal.

Curing AIDS, there is hope.

Too unhappy, very one sided characters. Hey, everyone has down moments, but an entire book is boring and exhausting.

More dimensions to the characters.

None

Disappointment

Don't bother. Colin Firth does a magnificent job reading a miserable story.

Most educational book I've listened to so far. Just listened to

Everything. I listened to the book twice, just to make sure I absorbed everything.

I listen to books while I work. I don't have free time to read.

Run from these people!

Buy a copy for your teenagers. This book will provide them very valuable tools for life.

Absolutely, the audio version is better than the print version. It is so worthwhile to hear O'Reilly read the book himself. It is almost like listening to a news report, but with more detail. It includes an hour by hour account of the day Lincoln was shot. Facinating.

The hour by hour account of the day Lincoln was shot. Very well done.

Terrific. He could emphasize the points he felt was important.

Too long, but yes, it was hard to stop it.

Give a copy to everyone. Really educational and entertaining.