Heartwarming and wrenching.

I've only had the opportunity to read Anne Lamott's nonfiction works, and I'm truly glad that I began from the very start.

She has a writing style that makes you feel as if you're sitting down with a good friend, sharing stories and experiences.

She's like a crazy good friend, the kind who isn't afraid to be honest and raw, to share both the beautiful and the painful parts of life.

And that, I think, is the best sort of friend to have.

Her words have the power to touch your heart, to make you laugh, and to make you cry.

They can inspire you, challenge you, and make you see the world in a different way.

Anne Lamott's writing is a gift, and I'm grateful to have discovered it.

Each page is like a journey, and I can't wait to see where it takes me next.

What can I say?

I just have an immense love for Anne Lamott.

She penned this particular piece before she embraced Christianity.

It is truly fascinating to peruse her works both before and after this significant life change.

This work of hers is excellent fiction.

It engages the reader from the very beginning and takes them on a journey through the characters' lives and emotions.

The story is well-crafted, with vivid descriptions and believable dialogue.

Lamott has a unique writing style that draws you in and makes you feel as if you are a part of the story.

Whether you are a fan of her religious works or not, this pre-Christianity piece is definitely worth reading.

It shows a different side of her as a writer and offers a glimpse into her creative process at that time.

Overall, it is a great addition to any literature lover's collection.

I'm a truly dedicated Anne Lamott enthusiast. Her works usually have a certain charm and depth that can deeply attract me. However, this particular book was unfortunately not a good read for me.

No matter how hard I tried, I could only manage to get halfway through it before I had to give up. It just didn't hold my interest as her other books did.

Giving it three stars might seem a bit generous on my part, but perhaps that's because I still have a certain amount of respect for Anne Lamott as an author.

Maybe you'll have a completely different and better experience with it. Everyone has different tastes and preferences when it comes to reading, so it's possible that this book will resonate with you in a way that it didn't with me. I hope so.

I truly liked the strong ties and profound feelings that existed within this family. It was heartwarming to see how they cared for each other and supported one another through thick and thin. However, their form of humor was just too biting for my personal taste. It seemed to be laced with a certain edge that made me feel a bit uncomfortable at times. I found myself struggling to find the laughter that I usually expect to come easily from a book. Instead, I often had to wade through the sharp remarks and sarcastic jabs to get to the underlying emotions and the real story. While I appreciate that everyone has their own unique sense of humor, this particular style just didn't resonate with me.

Another plotless wonder!

I absolutely LOVED it. In fact, I would probably have given it a full five stars if my attention hadn't wandered on a few occasions.

Some of the conversations seem to go on forever, and as a result, you kind of lose touch with the main point. However, aside from that, it is VERY funny.

I found myself 'laughing hard' on numerous occasions. So much so that I even slipped into those silent fits where tears start streaming down your face.

Considering this is Lamott's debut work, I can't wait to start delving into more of her more recent pieces. I'm sure they will be just as entertaining and engaging as this one.

I'm excited to see how her writing has evolved and what new stories and perspectives she has to offer.

Overall, despite the minor flaw of some overly long conversations, this book was a great read and has definitely piqued my interest in Lamott's other works.

I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted and humorous read that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Smart, funny, and tender, this is a wonderful portrait of a loving family.

The characters in it are as real, honest, and wise as those in Lamott's nonfiction works. It truly brings the family to life on the pages.

However, I have one small qualm. I don't know any 23, 25, 19, or 11-year-olds who are this smart and so well adjusted. It makes me wonder if this is just a characteristic of the (Bay Area) California where the story might be set.

Perhaps in that particular region, there are unique factors that contribute to the development of such intelligent and well-balanced children. Or maybe it's just a fictional exaggeration for the sake of the story.

Nonetheless, despite this one reservation, the overall portrayal of the family is engaging and heartwarming, leaving the reader with a sense of warmth and appreciation for the beauty of family life.

I'm really having a great deal of trouble getting through this particular book.

To be honest, I just don't find it all that compelling at all.

The story seems to drag on and on, and I can't seem to get fully engaged with the characters or the plot.

It's not that the writing is bad, per se, but there's just something missing that would make me want to keep turning the pages.

I've tried to push myself to read further, but it's been a real struggle.

Maybe it's just not the right book for me at this time, or perhaps there's a different way I need to approach it in order to appreciate it more.

Either way, I'm hoping that I'll be able to find a way to get through it and see if there's anything more to discover within its pages.

I couldn't get passed the first few chapters.

Found the writing style uncaptivating. It seemed rather dull and failed to draw me in right from the start.

However, this is the first one of hers I have read and I still want to try another one. Maybe this particular work just didn't click with me, but I'm willing to give her another chance.

I believe that an author's style can vary from one book to another, and perhaps there is a hidden gem among her other works that will truly capture my interest.

I'm hopeful that the next book I pick up by her will have a more engaging writing style and a story that keeps me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

So, despite my initial disappointment with this first read, I'm not giving up on her as an author just yet.

I firmly believe that this is the book which encompasses one of my all-time favorite Anne Lamott quotes.

"I like to drink enough coffee in the morning so that I can anxiety attack myself through the day." Man! This statement truly resonates with me on a profound level.

It makes me wonder why we, as human beings, engage in such behaviors.

Is it because we are constantly striving for that extra boost of energy to get through our busy days? Or perhaps it's a form of self-medication, a way to cope with the stress and pressures that life throws our way.

Whatever the reason may be, it's clear that this quote hits home for many of us.

It serves as a reminder that we need to be more aware of our habits and the impact they have on our mental and physical well-being.

Maybe it's time to consider making some changes and finding healthier ways to manage our anxiety and stress.

I have a deep affection for Anne Lamott.

This particular work was her very first novel, and I must say that I derived great pleasure from reading it.

Her incredibly witty observations are always right on the mark, and this holds true even within the realm of fiction.

However, I only awarded it 3 stars because, truth be told, I didn't hold it in as high regard as some of her other masterpieces.

Nonetheless, it is still a book that is well worth reading.

The unique charm and talent that Lamott brings to her writing are evident throughout this novel, and it offers a captivating and engaging experience for readers.

Despite not being my absolute favorite among her works, it still has its own merits and qualities that make it a worthwhile addition to any bookshelf.

So, if you're a fan of Anne Lamott or simply enjoy good literature, I would highly recommend giving this novel a try.

You might just be pleasantly surprised.

This is an absolute must-read for anyone whose family has endured tragedy and loss, yet emerged with love and a touch of dark humor.

I have a deep affection for this family because it strikingly resembles my own. The way Anne grapples with her father's terminal illness truly hits extremely close to home.

It's as if I can see my own experiences mirrored in her story. The emotions are raw and palpable, making it impossible not to be moved.

This book has a special place in my heart, and I know it will resonate with many others who have faced similar challenges in their families.

It's a powerful testament to the strength of love and the ability to find humor even in the darkest of times.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be inspired by a story of hope and resilience.

She is not just an ordinary beautiful writer.

Her words have a magical charm that pulls me in deeply.

I find myself completely falling in love with her imperfect, quirky characters.

Each of them is unique, with their own flaws and idiosyncrasies, yet they are so endearing.

In her stories, there is an abundance of grace.

The way she weaves the plots, the emotions she evokes, it's all so captivating.

Her writing style is like a gentle breeze that caresses my soul.

With every page I turn, I am transported to a different world, a world full of beauty, sadness, and hope.

I am truly amazed by her talent and the power of her words.

She has become one of my favorite writers, and I can't wait to explore more of her works.