Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book

Hot Search

Rosie Ferguson #1

Rosie

anne lamott

... Show More
In Anne Lamott's wise and witty novel, the growing pains of motherhood are portrayed with rare humor and honesty. If Elizabeth Ferguson had her way, she'd spend her days savoring good books, cooking great meals, and waiting for the love of her life to walk in the door. But it's not a man she's waiting for, it's her daughter, Rosie--her wild-haired, smart-mouthed, and wise-beyond-her-years alter ego. With Rosie around, the days aren't quite so long, but Elizabeth can't keep the realities of the world at bay, and try as she might, she can't shield Rosie from its dangers or mysteries. As Rosie grows older and more curious, Elizabeth must find a way to nurture her extraordinary daughter—even if it means growing up herself.

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 30,1983
Series
Rosie Ferguson

This edition

Format
288 pages, Paperback
Published
June 1, 1997 by Penguin Publishing Group
ISBN
9780140264791
ASIN
0140264795
Language
English
Characters More characters

More editions

About the author

Profile Image for anne lamott

anne lamott

... Show More
Anne Lamott is an author of several novels and works of non-fiction. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, her non-fiction works are largely autobiographical, with strong doses of self-deprecating humor and covering such subjects as alcoholism, single motherhood, and Christianity. She appeals to her fans because of her sense of humor, her deeply felt insights, and her outspoken views on topics such as her left-of-center politics and her unconventional Christian faith. She is a graduate of Drew College Preparatory School in San Francisco, California. Her father, Kenneth Lamott, was also a writer and was the basis of her first novel Hard Laughter.

Lamott's life is documented in Freida Lee Mock's 1999 documentary Bird by Bird: A Film Portrait of Writer Anne Lamott.

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
26(26%)
4 stars
43(43%)
3 stars
30(30%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
99 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
nolar2018
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Rosie is truly an easy book to fall in love with.

In 1983, a group of hilarious and neurotic Northern California residents embark on a journey to figure out their lives.

The characters are so vividly portrayed that by the end of the book, you'll find yourself considering them as your own friends.

You'll be filled with a sense of delight and anticipation, eager to spend even more time with them in the sequel, Crooked Little Heart.

The story in Rosie is engaging and heartwarming, drawing you in from the very beginning and keeping you hooked until the very end.

It's a book that will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between.

So if you're looking for a great read, look no further than Rosie.

You won't be disappointed.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
rnaster
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Wow, what an underrated banger!

I love problematic female protagonists with all my heart. This book is just so real, and I love, love, love it.

The only issue is that they wouldn't stop talking about how big Elizabeth's breasts were. Literally, every twenty pages without fail, it was mentioned. It was a bit distracting, to be honest.

However, other than that, the book is phenomenal. The story is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and it's both funny and beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good read with a strong female lead and a touch of controversy.

I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next. This book has definitely left me wanting more.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
xcider22
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Amy lent me this book.

At the beginning, it was a bit slow-paced, and I found myself struggling to get into it. However, as I continued reading, I gradually became more engaged.

The story had its moments that were truly enjoyable, but there were also times when it was painful to read. Watching the characters make certain choices and go through difficult situations was quite hard.

Despite the challenges, I ultimately ended up really liking the book. It had a certain charm that kept me hooked until the very end.

Now, I'm definitely going to look for the sequel. I'm curious to see what happens next and how the story unfolds. I can't wait to continue this literary journey.

I'm sure the sequel will be just as captivating as the first book.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
birdsyoongi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Absolutely wonderful novel by Ann - And I didn't even know she wrote novels (thanks tink).

This book has rich and fascinating character development. Each and every character is so well-portrayed that I absolutely loved them all, even the ones who would normally be tough to love.

It offers a neat look into the mind of a neurotic alcoholic, her kid, best friend, and boyfriend. The descriptions are so vivid that I felt it was spot on, perhaps a little too spot on.

I can't wait to read the next one. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story with complex and engaging characters.

The writing is so good that I felt like I was sitting in Marin in the middle of spring time, right in the midst of the story myself.

It's a truly remarkable piece of work that kept me hooked from start to finish.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
animereviewer
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Anne Lamott is my absolute favorite contemporary author.

As such, I am indulging myself by choosing her debut novel as my very first read of the summer.

In chapter one, I have this distinct sense that I've encountered Rosie and her mom in one of Lamott's later novels. This has piqued my interest and made me extremely keen to read this prequel.

I am truly in awe of Lamott's dark humor, which she so cleverly expresses through compound adjectives. For instance, when describing Rosie, a third grader, she writes, "as frail, feverish, and ethereal in her white flannel nightie as a pre-tubercular Dickensian orphan."

Then there's Elizabeth, Rosie's mom. She "stood navigating a garlic sausage flotilla through boiling water with a wooden fork, listening to the radio" when she suddenly proclaims that she will quit drinking "right now. Why not?" It's these little details and the unique way Lamott presents them that make her writing so captivating and engaging.

I can't wait to see what else this novel has in store for me as I continue to read.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
AceEpmo
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
I was initially leery of reading Anne Lamott's work. The reason was that based on the interviews I'd seen with her, I had the impression that it might be overly religious. However, when this particular book seemed to jump out at me in the library, I couldn't resist and grabbed it. It was published in the early 80s, perhaps during a time when she was deeply exploring life.

At first, it took a little while for the book to truly grab my attention. I didn't particularly like the character of Elizabeth. Although there were moments when I could identify with her, overall, I thought she was WAY too negligent with her daughter. But then again, that was perhaps a reflection of the times.

This was a very raw and honest book. It did an excellent job of giving a voice to the experience of addiction. The LSD scene was actually kind of funny in a strange way. Now, I'm curious enough to read the sequel. I know I'll be thinking about this book for a while.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the story continues and what new insights and experiences it will bring.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
kwk47
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
3.5 stars.

Rosie is Elizabeth's daughter, who was once unwanted but has now become the world to her mother. The character portrayals in this book are truly deep and are described with intense detail. However, I felt that I knew Elizabeth better, perhaps because she is the one narrating Rosie's story. The story mainly focuses on the mother-daughter relationship (as Rosie's dad is deceased), their relationships with their best friends, and the men in all of their lives.

A central part of "Rosie" is Elizabeth's downward spiral into alcoholism. Although the book is a relatively quick read, this aspect can be quite challenging to get through. Lamott provides us with an honest and open look into Elizabeth's innermost thoughts, which makes it both powerful and difficult.

Overall, it is a good book, written by someone who clearly knows how to write well. However, it wasn't a great book for me personally, and I may not necessarily seek out the next two books about Rosie. I appreciate the craftsmanship that went into it, but it didn't quite resonate with me on a deeper level.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
zedim
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Still, the inadvertently fertilized blob of embryonic tissue had managed to survive and grow into a remarkable little person. This individual was not only brilliant but also had a great sense of dignity and humor. However, their judgment was often poor, which added an interesting layer to their character.

The writing style of the book was both awkward and frank, yet it fit the characters to a tee. The voice had a certain realness to it, especially in the way the description and conversation were presented. The details that were included, as well as the ones that were left out, contributed to this authenticity. At times, the book felt like an intimate exploration of all the characters, allowing the reader to get to know them on a deep level. But there were also moments when I, as the reader, felt that the most crucial aspects were left unsaid, which added an air of mystery. Overall, though, I believed that the writing style worked well and enhanced the story.

The characters themselves were well-developed, and their relationships were valid and multidimensional. It was refreshing to see such complex and realistic portrayals of human interactions. I truly appreciated the author's ability to bring these characters to life and make them feel like real people.
0 0 Reply
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.