Darling Days

A Memoir

By: iO Tillett Wright

Narrated by: iO Tillett Wright

Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Born into the beautiful bedlam of downtown New York in the eighties, iO Tillett Wright came of age at the intersection of punk, poverty, heroin, and art. This was a world of self-invented characters, glamorous superstars, and strung-out sufferers, ground zero of drag and performance art. Still, no personality was more vibrant and formidable than iO's mother's. Rhonna, a showgirl and young widow, was a mercurial, erratic glamazon. She was iO's fiercest defender and only authority in a world with few boundaries and even fewer indicators of normal life. At the center of Darling Days is the remarkable relationship between a fiery kid and a domineering ma– a bond defined by freedom and control, excess and sacrifice; by heartbreaking deprivation, agonizing rupture, and, ultimately, forgiveness.

Darling Days is also a provocative examination of culture and identity, of the instincts that shape us and the norms that deform us, and of the courage and resilience it takes to listen closely to your deepest self. When a group of boys refuse to let six-year-old, female-born iO play ball, iO instantly adopts a new persona, becoming a boy named Ricky - a choice iO's parents support and celebrate. It is the start of a profound exploration of gender and identity through the tenderest years, and the beginning of a life invented and reinvented at every step. Alternating between the harrowing and the hilarious, Darling Days is the candid, tough, and stirring memoir of a young person in search of an authentic self as family and home life devolve into chaos.

©2016 iO Tillett Wright (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

My motherly instinct kicked in... I was captivated!

I downloaded this book when I was listening to iO’s podcast, the balled of Billy Balls (I highly recommend). It sat in my library for months and I regret not listening sooner. The memoir and the podcast are connected and you just have to listen to them both! iO’s memoir is riveting and had my attention for the 5 days it took me to listen. All I wanted to do was take iO in and be the mama. And knowing mama was there the whole time that loved her cub so much just killed me. Great story telling and loved the accents iO gave everyone. Super talent iO, I’d be proud of you if you were my child! This memoir made me hate drugs and the impact it has on people. I too have seen the effect drugs and alcohol have on families (my own as well) but to hear about someone else’s trauma just breaks my heart a little more, yet I want to help and love those that need it. All the emotions were hit with this one. Bravo iO, bravo!

One of the best life stories I’ve ever heard!

iO is an incredible writer and story teller. the words came out gushing with raw emotion and it was like I was a voyeur into his life. This book will forever hold a special place in my heart. I’m going to share this book with everyone I can!

Raw, real, and gripping!

I discovered iO a few years back when the podcast "The Ballad of Billy Balls" came out. This audio book is fantastic. iO narrates it and does an AMAZING job at the different voices and accents. iO is an incredible story teller. I suggest listening to the podcast first and following iO on Instagram before listening to this book so that you have a better understanding of iO's life and the backdrop to this book. This book is a captivating collection of stories that read like something out of a movie. It covers subject matters that people are often afraid to talk about or face...drugs, mental health, sexuality and gender, loneliness, despair, insecurity, and instability. This book will grab hold of you.

Amazing!

Such a great story! You will laugh and cry! IO is an amazing story teller! The accents are great!

Loved listening to this book

iO's voice is especially hypnotic and relaxing to listen to. Loved the message behind the covers, a true story of growth and acceptance.

Captivating...a love letter to NYC.

I felt like I had been transported to NYC - Io’s descriptions are captivating. Loved it!

In love with this book and human

Would you listen to Darling Days again? Why?

I already have! I watched an interview with iO on youtube and thought his views were interesting, and wanted to hear more from him. It seemed like fate that his memoir was released around the same time. I love the strong and diverse characters, the chronology of life events, and just his voice. A beautiful writer.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Darling Days?

DEFINITELY any time iO used a special voice or accent to speak as a character (Indian, German, Italian, and various from New York, including the most impressive impersonation, his mother). For this, I am so glad that I did not buy the book in print. His acting experience is very helpful, I feel like I'm being entertained.

Which scene was your favorite?

Don't have one, but I did really enjoy the childhood stories.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Just the absurdity and beauty that is iO's life. Additionally, I love that iO's parents never doubted who he claimed he was: boy, girl, gay, whatever, they never made a big deal and accepted him as he was. This has helped me notice some of my prejudices and has inspired me to be more accepting of people for who they are.

Any additional comments?

I didn't want it to end.

Pain makes you beautiful

I have no words that properly describe my enjoyment of this story … IO is a talented writer who captured my attention and wouldn’t allow me to stop listening!

Seriously … dive in … for the visuals are incredible!

Left wanting more

Picked this up after falling in love with her podcast. The story lags a bit in the middle. However, the end, with the 1-2 punch of her writing letters to people in her past on paper towel and then her grandma dying had me in tears. I never cry. This story will haunt me for quite some time. Her wistful delivery was spot-on.

Must read!

An absolutely beautifully spun story by an incredible story teller. I have completely fallen in love with iO through the weaving of their life. I hope there are more stories to come.