Memoir / Autobiography
Plot: This narrative is well constructed and the pacing quickens as the story moves forward. The author creates good tension throughout, particularly during inserted commentaries about his father’s surgery.
Prose: The different voices are engaging, but Jerry's is the strongest, definitely meriting the attention it is given throughout. The book also contains moments of lovely wit and effective tension.
Originality: Memoirs of World War II refugees are not uncommon, but this work feels fresh -- and relevant in today's American society, considering current issues surrounding immigrants and refugees.
Characters: The characters are superbly crafted and seem like real people. Even minor characters have texture and depth.
Blurb: An honest, thoughtful narrative, told in the voice of a beloved father or grandfather whose stories you've always loved to hear – and even as you listen, you worry about how much longer he'll be alive to tell them.
Plot: This memoir is a fascinating and engaging look at Roma life, the circus, and decades of history that will keep readers turning pages.
Prose: Ottavio Canestrelli is a natural storyteller and his original prose is strong and compelling. Ottavio Gesmundo's additional text is sometimes repetitive, although the overall effect is not intrusive and adds to the work.
Originality: The story of Ottavio Canestrelli is unique and this book, rich with history and filled with humor, is fresh and memorable.
Character Development: Ottavio Canestrelli is fascinating and well rendered, and readers will definitely be interested in his remarkable story.
Plot: This rollicking, life-embracing memoir of adventure on the high seas is pure, fast-paced reading enjoyment. From one port to the next, there's plenty of action, good humor, and moments of excitement.
Prose: Hinman's sunny enthusiasm for her subject matter and skillful, briskly-paced prose make the reader feel like a co-adventurer on her incredible journey.
Originality: Though similar travel memoirs are certainly available, Hinman's appealing blend of adventure, frugal living, and marital negotiations in close quarters bring authenticity and freshness to her story.
Character Development: Hinman's cheery, good-humored, and often self-effacing depiction of her life at sea makes her feel like the party guest with all the best stories. Not one to shy away from the gritty or stressful realities of long-term travel, she manages to inspire while telling the wholehearted truth.
Plot: At first glance, this memoir's plot seems straightforward. However Baumgartner's telling peels back layer after layer of emotion and depth, creating a lovely, rich, and tragic story of love and loss. The succinct chapters are well crafted, full of imagery and metaphor, and maintain a compelling momentum, even when slips into emotional abstraction seem to threaten the memoir’s pace.
Prose: From page one, it is easy to relax into Baumgartner's capable authorial hands. Her lovely prose is simultaneously emotive and concrete, giving readers a vivid portrait of her life.
Originality: While this memoir might initially seem familiar, readers will be pleasantly surprised by the author's ability to portray a well known story in a new way.
Character Development: The book's specificity and attention to detail quickly create a vivid picture of the narrator and her husband. With this skillful characterization, the reading experience is powerful and heartbreaking.
Plot: This fascinating and, at times, challenging tale of one woman’s journey to find herself is full of emotion and stark, uncomfortable truths. The deeply personal narrative reveals a vulnerability that is as painful as it is endearing.
Prose: The depth and breadth of detail and backstory—needed to set the stage for Santarelli's later decisions—enriches the reading experience but is handled clumsily at times. The repetition of certain themes cements their importance, but also manages to provide small interruptions to the narrative's overall flow. However, the conversational, relatable writing style is enough to captivate readers and keep the pages turning.
Originality: The author manages to invite readers in and share both the good and bad aspects of a life well-lived. The bold examination of an era featuring so much change is refreshing.
Character Development: Santarelli's growth as a person, mother, wife, and nurse is clearly delineated and lovingly detailed. Readers will want to see more about how the momentous decisions changed the author's life, though that may simply be the desire to not see the story end.
Breaking the Fourth Wall: An Uncertain Journey on Turkey's Lycian Way
by Michelle SevignyRating: 8.00
Plot: The memoir is well-paced, taking the reader through the author's journey of self-discovery on the long and eventful Lycian Way.
Prose: Sevigny's style is honest and true. Her candid day-by-day account of her journey keeps readers engaged and mesmerized by her grit and perseverance.
Originality: Sevigny's memoir is truly original. The daily account for her journey through Turkey is fascinating and the people and cultures she encounters are portrayed well and with respect.
Character Development: Sevigny's soul-searching quest reveals her bravery, character, and depth to readers.
Plot: In this solidly plotted memoir, Kohlmeier succeeds in enabling readers to perceive the world from a terrified boy's perspective. If the narrative loses some of its tension/drama later on, it's because Jonathan becomes such a normal teenager.
Prose: The prose is one of this book's great strengths. The writing is vivid and empathetic.
Originality: The story here is original and compelling. Few books take readers so viscerally inside the emotions of a troubled child.
Character Development: Jonathan is very well rendered and readers will be invested in his story. In the latter parts of the book, readers are provided with less insight into his character, but this is due, in part, to the story's happy ending.
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Dr. Francis W. M. Morais: His Fight for Humanity
by Dwedor Morais Ford & Charles Wesley Ford, Jr.Rating: 7.50
Plot: This book paints an accurate and thorough picture of a period in Liberian history. It is fascinating to read, and the authors' research lends credibility to book.
Prose: At times the book feels like a university lecture, while at others the language veers from very formal to colloquial, making for a jarring reading experience. Sometimes the pacing drags a bit, but overall the prose is solid.
Originality: This is an original work about a fascinating man—and an engaging period of Liberian history—with whom most readers will be unfamiliar.
Character Development: The authors present a clear picture of Dr. Morais, his struggles, and the world he inhabited.
Amazon Wisdom Keeper: A Psychologist's Memoir of Spiritual Awakening
by Loraine Van TuylRating: 7.50
Plot: This passionate journey into spirituality is structured well and compelling. And while the author may be preaching to the converted, the book is written with admirable conviction.
Prose: The author's style is among the book's strengths. The prose befits her search for self and her place in the world.
Originality: The New Age themes presented here will be familiar to readers. However, the particulars of the author's journey are well told and, because of the her varied background, unique.
Character Development: The author's struggles to find her path are well handled, and she deftly captures her personality at various stops along the way.
Plot: In this perfectly plotted memoir, the emotional journey of Innocent keeps the reader engaged. A quick and captivating story.
Prose: Solid, clear, and crisp prose paired with a fascinating tale make this an compelling read.
Originality: While there are other memoirs about similar subject matter, Innocent's journey—and its message of hope—feels fresh and vital.
Character Development: Innocent is well developed and feels real to readers.Throughout the memoir, he gains knowledge from his experiences and puts that knowledge to good use.
Plot: Pomerantz's memoir is well plotted and moves along at a swift pace. And while the story holds few surprises, it is nonetheless a compelling tale.
Prose: The author's prose is effective and works to distinguish her book. The memoir is full of vivid details and the writing keeps readers engaged.
Originality: Although memoirs about disastrous marriages are plentiful, this gem of a book stands out from the pack. Not only does the author survive a horrible marriage, she survives cancer.
Character Development: The characters here are well developed. Both Charles and Diane feel real, multi-dimensional, and imperfect.
Plot: This well-written, funny memoir is skillfully structured. Each chapter opens and closes smoothly and the book flows well.
Prose: The book's solid prose, humor, and entertaining voice make for a fun read.
Originality: This is an original memoir about unique characters. Overall, the tone is somewhat reminiscent of Erma Bombeck or Nora Ephron.
Character Development: Characters are well introduced and well rendered. The narrator/mother and the youngest daughter are the most vivid; also memorable are the in-laws with their love of fun and sometimes noisy lovemaking.
Blurb: This book is sure to elicit laughs from anyone living in this crazy, irreverent time in the U.S.
Plot: Love Sick moves along swiftly, jumping from past to present, with many side stories from the author's journey. The characters in her life are mostly humorous with resonating qualities.
Prose: The author uses humor throughout the memoir, while reliving her most painful moments. This leaves the reader feeling empathetic to her situation, and able to engage with the book.
Originality: The author's struggle with MS is clearly defined throughout the memoir. The anguish of waiting for test results while trying to find romance makes for a riveting read that is both refreshing and original.
Character Development: The characters in this memoir are fully developed and greatly enhance the book. The author's detailed stories about various relationships she had are both comical and heartwarming, especially when the author writes about her family.
Plot: The straightforward (and well handled) plot is enhanced via the way the author's involvement deepens even as her son's innocence is maintained. Readers will find the story compelling.
Prose: The prose is direct and unembellished, which is appropriate given the subject matter. The story moves forward smoothly and is engaging.
Originality: Readers will have encountered similar stories before. However, the baseball angle makes this book feel fresh and original.
Character Development: Cathy is a well developed character who evolves as she is drawn ever deeper into the world of reincarnation and past lives. Her husband remains a cipher, while her son is a charming innocent throughout.
Tortillas & Peanut Butter: True Confessions of an American Mom Turned Mexican Smuggler
by Dr. Linda SonnaRating: 7.00
Plot: This book is well crafted and features a strong narrative engine. The plot hits the ground running, contains unexpected twists and turns, and is thoroughly immersive.
Prose: While there are moments clunky of prose, the authors’ descriptions of the setting and characters are lovely and specific. The writing boasts a wonderful electricity and an engaging voice. However, the dialogue is often overly manicured.
Originality: An unfortunately common situation with a seemingly limited narrative trajectory quickly develops into a wonderfully uncommon and heartfelt adventure.
Character Development: Readers will find well-developed, relatable, and unique characters.
Plot: The author has built a coherent and detailed narrative of the Vietnam War that is easy to follow even for readers unfamiliar with military history. The story has a definite arc and skillfully conveys the author's experience.
Prose: The author's writing style is workmanlike but clear. Although some of the stories are less interesting than others, the short sections provide an appropriately episodic feel. The inclusion of letters effectively varies the narrative voice.
Originality: This book is typical of war stories of the era. And while the author's tales are unique to his experience, readers of Vietnam memoirs will find much of the book familiar.
Character Development: The author does a good job bringing the soldiers and civilians he encounters to life. He also skillfully illustrates the ways he changes as a result of his experiences. Letters, obituaries, and a selection of photos help bring the cast of characters to life.
