Review of Memoirs of a Wren

[Drianie]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Memoirs of a Wren" by Jenny Grinwis.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Memoirs of a Wren by Jenny Grinwis is a moving account of the author’s life and the traumatic childhood she survived. Wren, also a bird, was the nickname given to her by her father. Like her namesake, an unquenchable enthusiasm for life and a fierce protectiveness for her loved ones are only a few of the character traits that would help her navigate the challenges of growing up.

Now much older and wiser, Jenny looks back on her life, recounting certain events and instances that shaped her into the woman she is today. While reading her life’s story, readers will encounter mature themes such as sexual abuse and domestic violence. She also shares the devastating experience of witnessing loved ones struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. Readers will get to know her as a child growing up in South Africa in the 1970s and ’80s. One who couldn’t afford the luxury of typical childhood innocence. Readers will also connect with her now as a mother, a teacher, and a strong woman. She shares her valuable insights about life, control, and belonging. No matter how dire or miserable her childhood was, Jenny manages to inject good-natured humor, hope, and love into her book. Admitting that I was moved by her memoir is an understatement.

First and foremost, readers should not be discouraged by the mature themes mentioned in this book. Jenny does a wonderful job of navigating these traumatic events without including too many details that would upset sensitive readers. Instead, Jenny focuses on the different people involved in her stories, analyzing their motivations and struggles and drawing many valuable life lessons from each tale she shares with her readers.

Secondly, no matter how small or insignificant something might seem, Jenny masterfully connects all her stories to reveal profound wisdom in a way that is easy to understand. From Br’er Rabbit, I learned that survival is possible by viewing a situation from a different angle. Her stories about her pet ducks reminded me of the importance of giving a voice to the voiceless. At the heart of her message, Jenny reminds her readers that we are all the same. Each of us wants to belong, no matter if we all experience different degrees of trauma in our lives.

Furthermore, Jenny is an English teacher with a passion for helping others. This was absolutely evident on every single page of her book. The quality of her writing felt like an art form in itself, making this book stand out from the others I have read. She clearly explained each thought while painting a vivid picture with every scene, and it felt like each sentence had a purpose. Nothing felt wasted. What I loved the most was how she connected everything so brilliantly, making this a satisfying read. I commend the author for telling a captivating story and using language to transport me into her world. Since I only detected a few errors, I believe that the book was professionally edited.

In conclusion, this was a perfect read with nothing to dislike or change. Even though I didn’t have the same experiences growing up, Jenny connected with me, and I will carry her words with me long after putting this book down. With so much wisdom and guidance to offer her readers, I cannot recommend this enough. Therefore, Memoirs of a Wren achieves a rating of 4 out of 4 stars.

The text included some non-borderline profanity, but the words were few and served a purpose. I believe that older teenagers will be able to read this book with parental guidance. She is also a Christian and included aspects of her religious life, although this does not dominate the book. Therefore, I believe that anyone can read this memoir. Whether you experienced childhood trauma or not, read this book. It will guide and comfort you. Those who enjoy reading memoirs should not miss out on this one. It is absolutely worth it.

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Memoirs of a Wren
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[Deprise Evans]

Wow. This sounds like a memoir worth reading! I love that it resonated with you so much, those are the types of books that are truly worth the read. Great review!

[Gabriella1997]

I don't like as the cover of this book is blur and faint, still an interesting memoir, beautiful review.

[Chinaza Nnabuenyi]

Life journey is filled with both good and ugly experiences. I love this review.

[Salah bourouba]

alot of children are being abused, its so infuriating, but writing and expressing about it can help a person heal, and others relate or understand, interesting book, great review