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tobyleblancauthor's review
4.0
As much a memoir as a book about memory, Brader tells of her uncleโs art forgeries. Since so much has been shrouded, either through volition, or to truth being lost to time, Brader creates the fictional scenarios which led to the forgeries based on her understanding of the characters (who are all her family). The book evokes the true New Orleans by those who live in it. And it is a beautiful depiction of how secrets live in families and can impact them for generations.
blathering's review
5.0
Loved this memoir by a friend's mother which is a meditation on memory, a criminal but sad uncle and New Orleans that was.
zeldamac's review
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Should I do a "fair warning: I know this author" caveat? (Hi, mom! ๐) Oops, looks like I did. It may help with understanding my review and the feelings I had trying to figure out what to say.
This is an easy 5 stars to give. I keep telling people, "I swear it's not only because she's my mom." And it's true. The writing not only tells, but for me, shows the story with the sadness and beauty you'd want from a story like this.
I wrote pages of notes in my journal as I read. It was helpful to get through some of the mixed feelings or thoughts I had throughout. I would get so into the story I would forget I know or knew of the people in the story, and then a name would bring me back into the reality of it. I laughed, teared up, thought about family and traits... and my favorite feeling was the scent memory I got during one of the scenes.
I've been talking about this book for a while to anyone who will listen, and I'm just so proud that I'm throwing in a bit of sappiness at the end here. ๐
This is an easy 5 stars to give. I keep telling people, "I swear it's not only because she's my mom." And it's true. The writing not only tells, but for me, shows the story with the sadness and beauty you'd want from a story like this.
I wrote pages of notes in my journal as I read. It was helpful to get through some of the mixed feelings or thoughts I had throughout. I would get so into the story I would forget I know or knew of the people in the story, and then a name would bring me back into the reality of it. I laughed, teared up, thought about family and traits... and my favorite feeling was the scent memory I got during one of the scenes.
I've been talking about this book for a while to anyone who will listen, and I'm just so proud that I'm throwing in a bit of sappiness at the end here. ๐
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