Today we are concluding our discussion on House Rules by Rachel Sontag. Be sure to tune into Catch That Book radio show this Wednesday (October 28th) to hear Rachel Sontag discuss her book with us. For more information about Rachel and her book, visit her website.
Did you miss out on reading this book with us? Do you want to know more? Here's my review...
Do you know anyone who has a dysfunctional family? Most people have either heard a story or have one of their own to share. House Rules is about Rachel Sontag’s story and how she survived it. In her memoir, Rachel tries to make sense of her relationship with her controlling father and mother who never stood up to him.
The author does a superb job capturing the emotional cruelty of her narcissistic father. He took great pleasure in teaching his two daughters lessons and enforcing strict house rules (from how they could dress to how they could spend their free time). On one memorable occasion, Rachel forgot her keys and was left outside in the cold for several hours. She stood looking in a window trying desperately to capture someone’s attention while her family watched television, but everyone ignored her. Finally, she was let in when it was time for the dog to go outside. What was her father’s response to this life lesson? “I bet you won’t forget your keys again” (53). This is just one of the many examples of how Rachel’s father humiliated and belittled her. It was from these experiences that she learned how to protect herself and, ultimately, escape.
I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully written memoir—it was very thought-provoking and hopeful. I could identify with Rachel’s struggle to find herself and her place in this world. I would highly recommend it to book clubs because it is a story about the human spirit—relatable to all of us. As Rosie O’ Donnell said, “this book is fascinating”.
1 comments:
What a brave woman to confront her emotional baggage with her family. My hat is off to you!
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