Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book

Hot Search

Rosie Ferguson #2

Crooked Little Heart

anne lamott

... Show More
With the same winning combination of humor and honesty that marked her recent nonfiction bestsellers, Operating Instructions and Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott's new novel gives us an exuberant, richly absorbing portrait of a family for whom the joys and sorrows of everyday life are magnified under the glare of the unexpected.

Rosie Ferguson, in the first bloom of young womanhood, is obsessed with tournament tennis. Her mother is a recovering alcoholic still grieving the death of her first husband; her stepfather, a struggling writer, is wrestling with his own demons. And now Rosie finds that her athletic gifts, once a source of triumph and escape, place her in peril, as a shadowy man who stalks her from the bleachers seems to be developing an obsession of his own.

Crooked Little Heart asks big questions in intimate What keeps a family together? What are the small heartbreaks that tear at the fabric of our lives? What happens to grief when it goes underground? And what road must we walk with our flawed and crooked hearts?

Brilliantly written, inhabited by superbly realized characters, funny and human and wonderfully suspenseful, Crooked Little Heart is Anne Lamott writing at the peak of her considerable powers.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,1997
Series
Rosie Ferguson

This edition

Format
352 pages, Hardcover
Published
May 11, 1999 by Random House Value Publishing
ISBN
9780517397671
ASIN
0517397676
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, 100 votes)
5 stars
32(32%)
4 stars
36(36%)
3 stars
32(32%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
maidenstear
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
This was my least favorite of the Rosie series, yet I still managed to find some enjoyment in it.

I happened to read them out of order, which unfortunately led to a diminished experience with this book. Knowing what was going to occur in Imperfect Birds somewhat dampened my enthusiasm for this one.

As some reviewers have accurately pointed out, it seems that "nothing really happens" in this story. However, to be fair, there are indeed a few events that take place.

It's also true that plot twists are not Lamott's strongest suit. Her true talent lies in getting inside the heads of her characters and enabling us to truly feel what they are experiencing.

In this regard, I felt as if I was reliving my own 13th year right along with Rosie.

Despite its shortcomings, there is still something to be gained from reading this book, especially for those who are fans of Lamott's writing style and character development.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Domsa
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Despite my initial cynicism, I was completely charmed by Lamott's vivid portrayal of the warm and supportive love that exists within the unconventional relationships in her story. The bond between teenage daughter Rosie, her recovering alcoholic and widowed mother Elizabeth, and the numerous substitute parental figures for Rosie is truly heartwarming.

Lamott's beautiful language creates an atmosphere that is simply enchanting. It is so captivating that I constantly found myself yearning to pick up the book again, just to be immersed in the haunting world she has crafted.

However, it must be said that the slow-moving plot, with its only excitement coming from the detailed descriptions of Rosie's tennis matches, was not the main draw for me. But even so, the power of Lamott's writing and the depth of her characters more than made up for it.

Overall, I was thoroughly impressed by this book and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a touching and beautifully written story.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
taylorrtantrum
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
The slow-paced nature of this story provided the reader with an opportunity to become acquainted with the characters.



As I reached the conclusion, I wasn't entirely sure if I cared for them to the extent I had initially hoped. Toward the end, Rosie described her "family" as a garage sale family, which was indeed an apt description for this group. However, it wasn't a negative one because, at times, one can discover rare value at a garage sale.



Nevertheless, there was an excessive amount of self-pity to wade through towards the end. In fact, I truly wished that the story would have come to a conclusion more quickly than it did.



The characters' development throughout the story was somewhat hindered by the overabundance of self-pity, which made it a bit of a struggle to maintain a deep connection with them.



Despite this, the concept of a "garage sale family" was an interesting and unique one that added a layer of depth to the narrative.



Overall, while the story had its moments, the slow pace and excessive self-pity detracted from its overall impact.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
TheDevilEye
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Anne Lamott's writing holds an extraordinary power that has the ability to completely undo me.

Her words are like a gentle yet profound force that penetrates deep within my soul. Sometimes, I find myself rereading paragraphs over and over again, just so I can fully soak in the beauty of her prose.

What truly sets her apart is the way she employs unconventional similes to vividly describe the complex emotions of her characters. It's as if she is painting a masterpiece with words, each stroke adding depth and nuance to the story.

This family coming of age story is a rich tapestry of life's essential themes. It explores grace, forgiveness, the act of letting go, the process of growing up, the importance of loving oneself and those around us, and the challenges and joys of being a parent.

It's a classic Lamott work that will touch your heart and make you reflect on the human experience.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
krishima
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
This is a truly rare book.

Despite not having a particularly elaborate plot, I found myself deeply in love with it. In fact, I enjoyed it far more than its sequel. It's quite peculiar that I seem to be reading this trilogy in reverse order.

Another interesting aspect is that my absolute favorite part of this book was the fights. Elizabeth muses, "From Bosnia to Paris in 24 hours" after reconciling with her husband.

I've always had a preference for Lamott's nonfiction over her fiction, and it's her unwavering honesty that makes it so remarkable. She fearlessly voices things that I scarcely allow myself to think. That's precisely how it felt when reading about the fights – that mortifying yet oddly satisfying sense of recognition.

I also adored how the scary lurker turns out to be something entirely different. And although Rosie is a bit over the top, foreshadowing the absurdities she'll get into in the next book, her struggles with light and darkness are quintessentially adolescent. (But injuring oneself with one's own tennis trophy? It's like cutting, which I also never quite understood.)

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Tangsan20
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

Who could have known that tennis could be this interesting? It turns out that this is a book that delves into the growth of a girl during adolescence. This is an author whose works I haven't completely explored yet. There are many more books by her that might potentially become my summer reading.

Each page of this book seems to unfold a new chapter of the girl's life, filled with the challenges and joys of growing up. The description of her experiences on the tennis court is so vivid that it makes me feel as if I'm right there with her.

I'm really looking forward to discovering more of this author's works. I believe that each book will offer a unique perspective and a new adventure. Maybe one of them will become my favorite summer read, providing me with countless hours of entertainment and inspiration.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
dadaroma
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Crying withheld feels sometimes like dying...

I truly adored this book. The main reason is that I could identify deeply with Rosie's middle school angst and insecurities. It was as if I was reliving those tumultuous years through her. But aside from that, I also have a great admiration (and a hint of envy) for Lamott's writing in general. She has this remarkable ability to craft beautiful phrases that just leap off the page. For instance, she writes, "it was so hot that the only things moving outside were the crickets and the anorexics" and "the sun smelled warm, like laundry in the dryer, like melting yellow crayons." Her writing often startles me, making me stop in my tracks and reread those lines to fully appreciate the beauty and the unique associations she makes. I would have never thought to compare the sun to melting yellow crayons, yet when she does it, it makes perfect sense and adds a whole new dimension to the description.

Simone, Rosie's best friend, wasn't initially one of my favorite characters. However, as her story unfolded, it became truly heartbreaking. I found myself genuinely sad for her. I can still vividly picture her sitting on the bench with Rosie, waiting for Jason. The dreams that collapsed, the humiliation she endured, and the double standard that followed - as is so often the case, the male is not condemned by society. He isn't kicked out of the country club.

I really liked Rae, Rosie's mom's best friend, the successful artist. When she was teased for her religious views, I was so proud of Rosie for coming to her defense. Rosie reminded everyone that America "was founded on the principle of religious freedom," and that no one should belittle a woman's deepest feelings. It was a powerful moment that showed Rosie's growth and her ability to stand up for what she believes in.

I also had a soft spot for Luther, the mysterious observer at the tennis tournaments. At first, I thought he was a bit creepy, but as the story progressed, I realized that he paid attention to Rosie when no one else did. Her mother might be lost in her own thoughts, retreating into the past, and her stepfather might be too busy checking his messages. But Luther was there for Rosie, helping her and making sure she never felt alone during a game.

"Too bad about the hair.." - when Rosie's coach said this to her upon seeing her newly shorn head, it only strengthened my belief that he is sexist. His voice seems to echo a society that places so much importance on a woman's hair, using it to define her, give her value, and form stereotypes. Sadly, Simone had glorious hair, and look what happened to her...her value seemed to decline in the end.

When a woman chops off most of her hair, it can be one of the most liberating things in the world. I wish I had had the courage to do it when I was Rosie's age, instead of waiting until I was 24. It makes me wonder what kind of a different person I might have been if I had made that choice earlier.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
luridreverie
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
I absolutely loved this: "We're like some family you'd get at a garage sale." It's such a unique and vivid description. And also, "Practice resurrection." These words really made an impact on me.

If you have a little girl, as I once had, you may find great enjoyment in reading about 13-year-old girls. Their experiences, emotions, and the way they view the world can be truly fascinating. However, then again, you may not like the feeling of squirming that sometimes comes with it.

As I watch my granddaughters grow, so much of this will stay with me. It makes me reflect on my own daughter's childhood and all the precious moments we shared. I can't help but wonder what kind of adventures and challenges my granddaughters will face as they enter their teenage years.

I look forward to being there for them, guiding them, and learning from them as well.
0 0 Reply
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.