Orphaned at a young age, Mary McCarthy endured abuse. But then she was rescued and received an education first in a convent and later in an Episcopal seminary. Her precocious childhood seems to be straight out of a novel. Fortunately, she became a novelist and mastered the art of telling her story well. I have a hunch that she relished being the protagonist for once. Just like all great storytellers, she has the ability to lower your defenses with her outrageous humor and then surprise you with her profound insights. Her characters are rich and full of life, and the stories are truly captivating.

Some aspects of her work are fictionalized, and certain details are tweaked for the sake of the story. However, the reflections added at the end of each chapter clarify the historical details. McCarthy may not feel remorse for her autobiographical fabrications, but she does admit to them. I thoroughly enjoyed this work, yet it pains me to confess that as she grew older, I started to lose interest. The first half of the book is outstanding, while the second half is rather ordinary.

Mary's childhood started off quite comfortably, with her parents being actively involved in her life. However, in 1918, a tragic event occurred that changed everything. Both of her parents were killed by influenza, leaving her and her three younger brothers in a difficult situation.

Her paternal grandparents made arrangements for Mary and her brothers to be raised by a relative. Unfortunately, the next 5 years were often miserable for them.

Thankfully, Mary was eventually taken away from that situation by her maternal grandparents. She then attended school in Seattle, where the conditions were far more favorable.

Mary's perspective on this period of time is quite interesting. She compares her memories with those of her closest brother and other friends and relatives. When there are gaps in the accounting of events, she tries to analyze the inconsistencies. This shows a nice critique of memory, as she is not simply accepting her memories at face value but is instead questioning and examining them.

Overall, Mary's childhood was filled with both happiness and sadness, and her experiences have likely shaped who she is today.

I admit that initially, I had my doubts about this book. It landed on my To Read list solely based on a positive review from someone else, and truth be told, I'm not even sure if I read the description before adding it.

However, about 10 pages in, I had a moment of concern. As a practicing Catholic, I thought this book might have the potential to offend or anger me. So, I made a promise to myself that if I started to get upset, I would simply put it down and move on.

To my pleasant surprise, this turned out to be a very good autobiography. It delicately tackles the issue of "losing faith" without ever crossing the line into offense or mockery of others.

McCarthy strikes a careful balance between sharing her personal story of life after her parents passed away during the flu epidemic in the first quarter of the 1900s and discussing the pivotal moment when she transitioned from a devout Catholic to an atheist.

I found it not only very interesting but also extremely well written. She penned this autobiography in the 1950s, well into her adulthood. I particularly enjoyed the italicized parts at the end of each chapter, which clearly explained what she filled in with "fiction" and what she was certain was true. It was a unique and engaging way to read an autobiography. In fact, I think more authors should take the time to do something similar.

Overall, it's definitely worth a read. However, it's important to note that she is quite wordy and references a significant amount of Latin and Greek literature. Some knowledge of the classics is probably necessary to fully understand certain parts of the book. Nevertheless, she does an excellent job of discussing these works without coming across as pretentious or trying too hard.

Another one I may not read, but I like the concept for writing exercises.

It presents an interesting idea that can be explored and developed further. Even though I might not have the opportunity to read it in its entirety, the very concept behind it intrigues me.

Writing exercises are essential for improving one's skills and creativity. They allow us to experiment with different styles, voices, and themes. This particular concept seems to offer a unique challenge or angle that could potentially enhance my writing abilities.

I look forward to seeing how others might approach it and what kind of stories or pieces they can create. It also makes me wonder if I could adapt the concept to my own writing projects or use it as a source of inspiration for future works.

Overall, while I may not read this specific piece, I am grateful for the concept it presents and the potential it holds for my writing growth.

McCarthy's memoir is a remarkable piece of work.

She masterfully combines long, sensual sentences that draw the reader in and make them feel as if they are experiencing the events along with her.

Her strong, journalistic voice adds an air of authenticity and credibility to the narrative.

It is as if she is reporting on her own life with a keen eye for detail and a willingness to share both the beautiful and the painful moments.

The combination of these two elements creates a memoir that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Readers will find themselves immersed in McCarthy's world, captivated by her words and the story she has to tell.

Whether she is describing a passionate love affair or a difficult personal struggle, her writing is always powerful and evocative.

McCarthy's memoir is a must-read for anyone who enjoys memoirs or wants to experience the power of great writing.

**(2016 review)**

I believe what disturbs people regarding the title is their assumption that "Catholic" solely pertains to the religion. McCarthy's family was Catholic, and she attended a Catholic school for several years. HOWEVER (and this is of great significance), I also think McCarthy is referring to the adjective "catholic" (with a small c) here.

This time, my favorite chapter is the final, extensive one about her grandmother. It is a detailed and beautifully descriptive tribute in which she endeavors to capture their complex relationship. It appears to be the most genuine story in this collection.

After each chapter, McCarthy includes an account of what she knows to be absolutely true in the preceding chapter, what details she is unclear about, or what she outright invented to create a good story. It is an interesting way to read a memoir. I love it because it reveals the aspect of McCarthy's personality that is determined to seek the truth.

**(2007 review)**

All these stories are excellent, and the one in which she relates the tale of her abusive Uncle Myers is, more so than the others, particularly heart-wrenching. He is dreadful, but she verbally decimates him, presenting him as the most pitiable character. Her descriptions of what they did as kids for entertainment are hilarious; for instance, "went to the park to watch other kids ride the ponies because that was free."

Let's just say that ever since I delved into The Group, I have truly morphed into a die-hard Mary McCarthy fan.

I cannot recommend this one highly enough. It has this wonderful quality that makes me long and wish that she had carried on and written about her experiences at Vassar.

Admittedly, the last piece is a tad on the slow side, but the remainder of it is an absolute breeze to read.

McCarthy's writing is exquisitely descriptive. It's as if she has the ability to paint vivid pictures in the reader's mind.

The pain that she endured during her childhood is palpable and easily felt by the reader. It's almost as if we are right there with her, experiencing those emotions along with her.

Overall, The Group is a remarkable piece of literature that showcases McCarthy's talent and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

The experience of reading this piece was just okay.

It was filled with a great deal of sophisticated language that I hadn't come across in quite some time.

However, it really didn't have a proper ending. It sort of just abruptly stopped, leaving me a bit disappointed.

Even with this shortcoming, I still have a strong desire to read her "The Group" as it is yet another one of her classics.

I'm hoping that this other work will offer a more satisfying reading experience, perhaps with a more conclusive ending and the same level of engaging and complex language that I encountered in this one.

Despite the flaws in this particular piece, I'm willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt and explore more of her literary contributions.

Who knows, "The Group" might just turn out to be a literary masterpiece that will leave a lasting impression on me.

I picked this one up on a whim while browsing through the bookstore. Little did I know that it would turn out to be such a great find.

The aspect of this book that I truly enjoyed is its unique approach. It doesn't simply try to depict the lived experiences of the memories it recalls. Instead, it presents them with hindsight and a remarkable sense of fair-mindedness. McCarthy writes about the adults from her childhood with more of a sense of pity than resentment. There is a forgiving air about her, a cultured intellectualism that seems both beyond their capacity and yet is afforded to her by the education their station provided.

Surprisingly, the so-called "horrors" are few in number. What prevails more than anything else is pure oddity. McCarthy herself admits that during the actual living of those experiences, they seemed natural. It is only when she looks back that she realizes their exceptional nature.

Every single bit of this book is entertaining. McCarthy writes with a simple yet constantly self-qualifying prose that I absolutely love. Her sentences have a tendency to fold over on themselves, creating a rich and nuanced reading experience. Additionally, she has a gift for describing things tenderly and carefully.

In conclusion, this book is all good. I highly recommend it. Also, as an atheist myself, I found McCarthy's thoughts on religion and her religious life in childhood in the 'To the Reader' section to be truly great. They added an extra layer of depth and interest to an already excellent book.

4.5 stars, or perhaps even more. This book is truly amazing. McCarthy is an incredibly clever and comical writer who delves into topics that are far ahead of her time.

For instance, her reservations about Catholicism are so profound that I could hardly bring myself to share them with my more devout family members, even to this day.

Growing up in a very religious household with a devout mother, I too wrestled with doubts from a young age. McCarthy, however, had a much more severe and tragic upbringing, with the sudden deaths of her parents.

Yet, the attitudes she had as a child towards her church were eerily familiar and relatable to me. The fears of accidentally making a mistake, like swallowing a sip of water before Communion and fearing eternal damnation, or feeling stupid, wicked, or "lost" for not believing as others did.

Despite all the pain and confusion it caused, there was still a sense of reverence.

I greatly admire McCarthy's ability to address these subjects without bitterness or resentment. She doesn't seek pity from her audience; instead, she simply presents the facts and reflects on them in her own measured and brilliant way.

However, the italicized interludes where she explains her stylistic choices and the accuracy of certain events were less engaging. While they occasionally had valid points, they lacked the momentum of the actual narrative.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complex relationship between religion, doubt, and personal growth.

McCarthy's childhood was filled with unique stories as an orphan who was raised by two different households.

This account is only partially "about" her own experiences. She manages to muffle the tragedy of her lighthearted parents' early death due to the influenza pandemic in 1919 by presenting it through a child's ignorance. Additionally, her bitterness as a pauper relation, albeit briefly, is alleviated by an adult's ironic distance.

The book is written from two (or rather, many) perspectives. Firstly, as articles published in magazines, and then again as commentaries on the original articles. This structure brings to the forefront McCarthy's interest in the ways that memories are shaped by the present. Memories are constantly being rebuilt, always certain yet malleable, often incomplete, and always with her.

It is fascinating to see how McCarthy weaves together these different elements to create a complex and multi-layered narrative of her childhood.

Mary McCarthy's life took a tragic turn when both of her parents succumbed to influenza within a week of each other. They were on their way to Minnesota to start a new life. As a result, at the tender age of 6, Mary was sent to live with her draconian aunt and uncle.

However, at the age of 11, a glimmer of hope emerged when she was "saved" by her wealthy grandparents in Seattle.

This memoir is truly fantastic. It is beautifully written, with sharp characterizations that bring the people in Mary's life to vivid life. The author tells her story with rapier-sharp wit, making it not only a compelling read but also a work of art.

Overall, this memoir offers a fascinating glimpse into Mary McCarthy's early life and the events that shaped her into the person she would become.