5 Minutes for Mom

5 Minutes for Books — The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here

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Last month I introduced one of my favorite genres of reading–the memoir–by reviewing Trail of Crumbs. Along with Kim Sunee’s journey of personal discovery, that book also focused on food and travel. The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here by Felicia Sullivan is a memoir in its true sense.

In her review of The Glass Castle, New York Times Book Reviewer Francine Prose described memoir as our modern-day fairy tales. Reading that description helped me put my finger on why I relish these stories that are so often filled with such tragedy and heartbreak. The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here leaves me dumbfounded that a person survived the types of things that life threw Sullivan. The fairy tale is that the heroine does survive, does overcome the arch enemy, and does teach the reader something about the world in which we live. In the end, a well-told memoir is not only about a person’s sky-isnt.jpgjourney, but the lessons that she learned as a result of it.

Felicia Sullivan recalls a childhood with a mother who is an addict. While there are certainly instances of clear neglect that make the reader’s heart break for the poor little girl, it is not all black and white. There are moments when the mother does fulfill they typical roles of protector, lunch-maker, and parental guide. As Sullivan grows up, she chooses to distance herself from the emotional pain that a relationship with her mother causes her. Unfortunately, she doesn’t completely avoid the problems that her drug-addicted mother suffered. Instead, as is so often the case, she ventures down that same road herself. The second half of her story focuses on her own addiction and recovery.

In spite of the heavy nature of the subjects addressed, this is essentially a story of survival, choices, and hope. One reader can win a copy of The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here by leaving a comment. We’ll announce the winner next week.

The winners of Rattled: Surviving Your Baby’s First Year Without Losing Your Cool, from last week’s column are #81 Tina, and #14 Deb Piper. You should have received an email from me.  If not, please contact us with your address.


Comments

  10. I have heard wonderful things about this book and would love to read it. It’s officially added to my list.

  21. Sounds like a great true to life read. Wish I could find more time to read with a toddler, and not stay up till after midnight reading a book I don’t want to put down!

  32. oooh, I really want to read this one!!! Your review makes it sound so captivating!! I love these kinds of books!!

  50. Hi, Even though, this book sounds sad, I love the way she evolves well at the end of her book. Please enter me in your drawing. I appreciate it…..Cindi

  62. Jennifer,

    Thank you so kindly for the lovely review! What an honor to be compared to The Glass Castle – a memoir I found heartbreaking and wonderful and difficult (in a good way) all at once. And I’m glad you emphasized that this story, while dark, is one of hope. That one can overcome a difficult childhood and come out fighting, happy and healthy.

    Firemom- Thanks for the sweet words. You rock!!!

    Warmly, Felicia

  71. Enjoyed reading The Glass Castle – although painful to imagine what those children lived through – and looking forward to a new memoir…

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