With or Without You: A Memoir

This book makes up for every dud I have listened to on audible. The author is unflinching, unyielding in her description of the insanity and chaos she grew up in, yet she doesn't ask for the reader's sympathy or pity. The love-hate-fear triad she feels for her drug-addicted mother is what makes the story so compelling. As in real life, this book is all shades of gray. A mother who neglects her child, shares drugs with her child, turns a blind eye to sexual abuse, but at the same time is determined to secure the best education for her. A mother who seems to care only about getting high and being in love, yet turns a small, failing business into a million dollar enterprise. And then loses it all to drugs.
The author does an incredible job at portraying a relationship fraught with ambivalence and fear. She has an overwhelming love for her mother, yet prays for her death so as to release her from the bondage of codependency and pain. The redemption comes when the author's instinct for self-preservation appears and she begins the journey to find her authentic self.

Domenica Ruta rose above a troubled, scary childhood, and although she probably carries a lot of baggage, it looks like she turned out ALL RIGHT! She is a fantastic narrator and could have a career doing that if she wanted to, Very clear, strong voice with humor. This was a good story very well told.

You know this story; you may be living it -- or your neighbor is, your friends, your family. You no longer have to attend AA, NA, ALANON, to hear this kind of horror story because addicition is no respecter of persons and infects us all in some way, or will. When I was working in my profession, I heard worse stories, and I don't doubt many of you could unfortunately tell a darker version of Ruta's journey. (It breaks my heart.)

This was not exactly what I had expected after reading some summaries. I mistakenly thought Ruta was someone of whom we were socially or publicly aware that had revealed an unexpected past. I haven't found any information about Domenica Ruta other than that she is a Survivor--which absolutely doesn't diminish the relevance of her book. What gives this book credence is the fact that Ruta is bravely telling it; adding another voice to both the issue and Hope, because if you have faced this monster in some form, you know that Hope needs constant reaffirming, and the conquering deserves praise and support. Overall a very readable, well written, and engaging story worth the time. Great achievement Ruta, and best wishes for continued success.

This audio book was the best I've heard in a long time. What an amazingly sad yet upbeat story. This book hit me on a very personal level, one which I wish I had the gift to share articulately. But, for me, a story this visceral is beyond description.

Reminiscent of Glass Castle, but better.

I started listening and did not stop until it was over.

I always like a success story. So many people have grown up in dysfunction, and it is inspirational to hear of people who survive and thrive whatever craziness they have been through.

Dominca's cadence and the way she delivers her story, with humor and believability.

The story is told so matter of fact. She doesn't whine or "woe is me". She doesn't present herself as a victim, she just shares her story...and what a story!

Yes, if I could have, I would have.

I'm very impressed with this woman. The only thing that puzzles me is how she ever felt herself unattractive. I looked up her picture on line - she is gorgeous!

As soon as I started listening to this, my first impulse was to trash it as trash. And I have not changed my opinion – but only put it into context – the natural work of a trashy culture. It is not literature – but people are no longer interested in that. They want trash – and Domenica Ruta knows how to dish that out.

She has a big advantage over me – she can remember her dysfunctional childhood – in amazing detail. I cannot remember much of anything before I was ten. It was too terrible for me to remember – and no one who was there during that terrible time wanted to remember it either.

Her family relished their terrible lives and wanted to remember all of it. Not knowing that one of their own would cash in on it with this book.

a better life story
Someone who is not monotone and dull
a better ending for sure
That is really it...a better life story

no

no

disappointment