I am currently deeply in love with Anne Lamott.

Particularly in this book I'm perusing, I find so many of my own thoughts, but expressed better and more humorously.

The same was true with "Operating Instructions". This one is about a stay-at-home mom and it truly strikes a chord.

So far, every time there is a page that resonates, I notice that it has already been dog-eared by a previous reader. So, I go ahead and dog-ear it myself too, so that I can go back and reread it before I have to return the book.

This is probably the best book I've read this year, and I've read more books this year than ever before.

I just adore her characters and their imperfections. They feel so real and relatable.

Anne Lamott has a way of making me laugh out loud one moment and then making me think deeply the next.

Her writing is like a warm embrace, comforting and yet challenging at the same time.

I can't wait to see what else she has in store for me in the remaining pages of this wonderful book.

I've truly relished Lamott's nonfiction and memoirs such as "Traveling Mercies", "Plan B", "Stitches", and "Help Thanks Wow". However, the sole reason I managed to finish this particular book was that it was extremely short and I happened to be home alone for the day.

The main character, Elizabeth, was someone with whom I could empathize only to a limited extent. For the most part, she was pitifully self-centered and lacking in direction. Her daughter Rosie seemed to be the only thing in the entire world that could truly bring her to life. Moreover, her excessive drinking and the constant cycle of broken resolutions became tiresome after a while.

Finally, in the last two chapters of the book, she miraculously gets a happy ending, which just wasn't believable. The daughter Rosie was an engaging character, but she didn't possess the level of innocence that I would expect most young girls of her age to have. My favorite characters were Rae and James - they were like gold. Perhaps if they had been the main characters, this book would have been far more rewarding.

Additionally, the level of profanity and crude descriptions in the book was quite distasteful. I would highly recommend reading Lamott's other books, but it would be best to skip this one altogether.

This book was written in 1983, and it offers an interesting look at life as it was 20 years ago.

It's not because there were any overly dramatic events, aside from the random mentions of Reagan and Russia. Instead, it's more about the portrayal of the emotional climate of that time.

Anne Lamott, the author, was an alcoholic herself and has been sober for a long time. I couldn't help but wonder if this story was partly autobiographical in some way.

The acid trip described in the book was rather weird and felt a bit out of place, but perhaps it was a reflection of the times back then.

I initially read the book quickly, and as I continued, I began to feel better about it. Like another reviewer mentioned, I was tempted to put it down in the beginning.

However, it struck a chord with me, and I'm glad I persevered and finished it, especially since it had a happier ending.

I'm now reading the sequel of Rosie, and I'm glad to know there's a third one as well. I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes from here.

Overall, I found this book to be an engaging and thought-provoking read that offers a unique perspective on life in the past.

I truly loved this book.

It's astonishing how the book became increasingly depressing as I delved deeper into it. Despite being certain that the ending would be dreadfully bad, I simply couldn't put it down.

Ordinarily, I might have been a bit disappointed if what I expected didn't occur. However, I relished the turn that the book took. This was probably because I had a genuine affection for these flawed individuals.

The ending was brilliant. The author led me to anticipate an atypical conclusion and then presented me with a rather standard one.

I discovered that it was all inspiring in a strange, real-to-life sort of way.

Perhaps if we remain open to the people who enter our lives, whether we accept or even choose to overlook their faults, we will discover what we require to navigate through the difficult times.

I adore the fact that it redefines the meaning of a "good mother", "soul mate" and "friend", enabling those who assume these roles to be imperfect, and yet still, in some way, exactly right.

3.5 I snagged Rosie at Dickson Street Used Books. In fact, I scored two Anne Lamott books. I have a great affection for her non-fiction works, but this was my very first venture into her fiction.

Rosie was penned in the 1980s, and in that regard, it evoked a sense of nostalgia within me.

The main character, Elizabeth, who is also Rosie's mom, is an alcoholic widow. She has never held a real job, yet she can cook fabulous meals. Mostly, she whines about finding her true life purpose. Her precocious child, Rosie, is essentially raising herself. The book is smartly written with sharp dialogues. This quick read offers a plethora of emotions, encompassing both unhappiness and joy. There were a few ugly and uncomfortable incidents that occurred in the story, things that I could have done without. Nevertheless, a book written by Anne Lamott is one that I will pick up without fail every single time.

Favorite Quote: There’s something great and useful I could be doing, and that I don’t know what it is hangs over me like some major errand I know I’m meant to do.

Up until halfway through the book, I was seriously considering putting it down.

The narration delves deep into the characters, which at times was quite difficult to read. Elizabeth, the main character, is an alcoholic, and it's often challenging to fathom how she treats others or what goes through her mind, especially since the book is written from her perspective.

Moreover, it's hard to feel much sympathy for her when we are repeatedly informed that she is extremely attractive, intelligent, and has ample money. One can't help but wonder, "Why can't she just get her act together?"

Rosie, her daughter, is a far more sympathetic character, mainly due to her age. Reading about Rosie somehow makes the parts about Elizabeth more bearable.

I'm relieved that I persevered until the end as there is a glimmer of redemption. I was able to accept that the characters were deeply flawed but would ultimately be okay.

I believe that most of my issues with the book stem from the difference between young adult novels and adult novels. In adult novels, it seems to be a common style to have rather immoral characters and to shine a spotlight on people's flaws. This approach might not always sit well with readers who are more accustomed to the idealized worlds often found in young adult literature.

I read this to familiarize myself with Anne Lamott's work.

I'm truly glad that I did. Despite the title, initially, the story appeared to revolve around Elizabeth Ferguson, Rosie's mother, and the individuals who inhabit her life: Andrew, Rosie, Rae, and James.

The narrative seems to unfold as a petite family saga, tracing the line from Elizabeth's mother to Elizabeth and then to Rosie. However, there is an almost imperceptible shift.

It moves from Elizabeth's tumultuous inner life to Rosie's journey of becoming herself in a world where her one unwavering constant is her flawed, yet beautiful and patient-despite-herself mother.

Lamott's remarkable gift lies in her ability to concurrently describe Elizabeth's reckoning of her own faults, Rosie's adventures with her best friend Sharon, and Rosie's awareness of the mysterious world of grownups.

This world is populated with both kindness and understanding, side by side with cruelty and abuse. I was truly sad when I reached the end of the book.

It felt as if I was parting ways with a group of characters that had become dear to me during the course of reading.

This is a good book. It's not great, but it is definitely good.

The characters in it are strong, complex, and truly compelling. There's Elizabeth, the alcoholic, bored, and emotionally confused yet creative and tortured mom. Then there's Rosie, the smart and precocious child. James is the sensitive writer, and Rae is the chubby talented artist.

The snippets of everyday life are presented with a high emotional quotient, and sticky subjects like molestation are handled truthfully.

I had always wanted to read something by Lamott because I've heard so many good things about her works. However, I also have a prejudice against her. A long time ago, I read a story of hers on salon.com where she was disparaging in a way that I thought was "racist" toward pit bull dogs. This made me VERY angry. So, perhaps my thoughts on this book might be a bit tainted due to this previous experience.

Nevertheless, I tried to approach the book with an open mind and was able to appreciate the aspects that were well-written and engaging. The characters and their relationships added depth to the story, and the handling of difficult topics was brave and honest.

Overall, despite my initial prejudice, I found this book to be a worthwhile read that offered some interesting insights into the human condition.

I listened to an interview with Anne Lamott a long time ago and made up my mind that I wouldn't read any more of her work. I could sense a certain kind of superiority in her tone that really bothered me. Then, quite by accident, I came across this book. It had mildew on the corners from being stored away for years at our fish camp. I took it with me on the plane and read it during my travels.

Despite how I felt about that interview, Lamott provides an incredibly perceptive, genuine, and honest perspective on the way we love and the way we respond to love that has been lost or diminished. I adored every single character she introduced in this story, flaws and all. She has an uncanny talent for presenting emotions in a way that shows rather than tells. This book will definitely be on my "top of the top" list of favorite books read this year. It's a truly remarkable piece of work that has made a lasting impression on me.

I initially approached this book with a certain degree of hesitation. However, as I delved deeper into its pages, I slowly warmed up to it.

The characters within the story began to come alive for me, and I developed a real affection for them.

What makes this book truly remarkable is that it presents themes that are accessible at all levels. Whether you are a casual reader or someone who enjoys dissecting the deeper meanings within a story, there is something here for everyone.

Despite having a relatively sparse storyline, the book is surprisingly compelling. It manages to draw you in and keep you engaged from beginning to end.

This is truly a testament to Lamott's writing ability. She has a talent for creating vivid characters and telling a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read.

What a huge disappointment!

I was a big fan of "Traveling Mercies" and "Bird by Bird", but unfortunately, I couldn't even make it through more than half of "Rosie".

Despite the title suggesting that the story is about Rosie, it actually focuses mainly on Rosie's mother, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth is a pitiful drunk who behaves more like a child than an adult in Rosie's life.

Her actions and behavior are truly awful and make it difficult for the reader to engage with the story.

It's a shame because I had high hopes for this book, but it just didn't deliver.

I would not recommend "Rosie" to anyone looking for an enjoyable read.

Rosie is one of Lamott's earlier novels that stands out for its honest portrayal of characters and their imperfections. The main character, Elizabeth, starts off rather detached from life. She seems to lack any clear direction or desire. Then, when she becomes pregnant with Rosie, her initial reaction is to consider an abortion. However, she ultimately decides to keep the child, and this single decision completely transforms her life. Rosie becomes the very essence of Elizabeth's existence. As she raises her daughter, Elizabeth discovers a sense of purpose and a reason to live.

Lamott skillfully weaves various situations into the story line as it unfolds. I don't want to give away too much and spoil the story for you. But trust me, when you read it, you'll witness the numerous challenges that Elizabeth and Rosie must overcome together.

Lamott's prose is as steady as a heartbeat. She places a significant emphasis on dialogue, but in a unique way where it serves both as narrative and dialogue. When reading this story, don't expect those traditional "great moments" with a big climax or a huge conflict. Instead, it's a more subdued and steady telling. The characters are charming and endearing, although at times they might frustrate the reader. But that's what makes them real and easy to relate to. Overall, this novel is a solid and enjoyable read that will keep you engaged from start to finish.