4 out of 4 stars
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“Sleep and death became intertwined, causing nightmares.”
It's My Party by Jeannette Watson is a memoir that traces the life of the author who was born into a celebrity family with a number of secrets. Both Jeannette and her father suffered from depression, and this heavily affected their lives. At one point, things got so bad that Jeanette had a mental breakdown after long years of hiding her condition. In response o this breakdown, she moved with her family to New York City to find greater freedom. She opened a beautiful bookstore called Books & Co. and her life took a turn when she met her second husband Alex Sanger. Eventually, the bookstore was closed and Watson turned to the path of spiritual healing.
In this memoir, the author eloquently talks about a different generation and how it affected her. This story helps the reader understand depression from a different perspective. It also acts as a guide on the path to healing. This piece is perfect for readers who love confessional works, and is well suited for people of all ages. I feel that adults as well as young adults would love to read a work like this.
The most conspicuous theme of this memoir is depression. Depression is essentially an overriding idea that looms over the author’s words like a shadow, unwilling to relent. Even before she says it, it is clear from the words of the author that there is a lingering sadness within her. In the first chapter, when she talks about her siblings, there is a sense of moroseness that is conveyed to the reader.
It is quite clear that the author has inherited this depression from her father. When she mentions his autobiography, there is a very important line that stands out. He wrote, “I often ended up carrying my frustrations home with me, where my wife and children would bear the brunt. Olive would spend the entire day working with them, and she’d have them all shined up and ready to greet me when I came home. I’d come in the door and say, ‘ at child’s sock isn’t pulled up. That child’s hair isn’t combed. What are these boxes doing in the hall? They should have been mailed.’” These words clearly show that the depression that plagued the author’s mind was there in her father too.
Another thing that is very significant in the context of this memoir is the writing style of the author. I found her style quite idiosyncratic and eloquent, and felt that she was able to effectively project her emotions onto the reader. It is for this reason that the reader will find that he is able to relate to this story quite well.
I would rate this book 4 out of 4 stars for a number of reasons. It has been beautifully penned down and is well edited. In my opinion, It’s My Party is a very powerful piece and I strongly recommend it to all readers.
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It's My Party
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