4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Above is the closing statement to Gertrude Coulter's Dibs and Dabs of my Life. In this non-fiction book, she recounts her life journey, commencing with her arrival into this world, all through to her post-retirement years.I am enjoying all the changes that society has provided, yet I still think that I grew up in the best of times.
The author's childhood was one filled with activity, joy, and laughter as she grew up in the forties, a time when cell phones and tablets didn't exist. Then, the streets were safe to walk at night and children had to be creative when it came to entertaining themselves. She and her brothers always had something up their sleeves, even getting suspended from school one time. The most memorable bit from her childhood was when the chicken they were to slaughter for dinner flew away, and the whole family had to chase it. These crazy stories are ones many of today's children will never be able to tell, as they live sheltered and sedentary lives.
Through her relationship with her family, the author emphasizes the importance of strong family values. She often interacted with members of her extended family and picked up valuable life lessons from them. Her grandfather instilled in her the discipline of hard work, and her mother, amongst other things, taught her how to crochet. I could tell that the author has a big heart as she was genuinely happy when those around her progressed. The family members also stuck together in times of hardship and in times of grief. After a traumatic divorce, the author decided to pick up the pieces. She got a college degree and became an accomplished teacher, all while raising her children on her own. From this, she iterates that it's necessary to walk away from a potentially dangerous situation.
As this book has only 5-star ratings on Amazon, I had high hopes going in. I can report that it met my expectations; leaving me with a smile on my face. I was especially pleased that the author narrated over eighty years of her life in sixty-two pages, and I didn't feel like I missed anything. The book reads like an essay and is one continuous story without breaks. The language is simple, making it a quick read; easily consumed in one sitting. I also liked that the author put things in perspective by comparing and contrasting previous conditions to what they are currently. She also sprinkled black and white photographs of her family throughout the book, and I enjoyed putting faces to the names.
The editor did a great job, as this book is virtually error-free. For this reason, it deserves a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. It's a book I'll recommend to anyone looking for a quick read, lovers of memoirs, and anyone who grew up in the simpler times.
******
Dibs and Dabs of my Life
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Mercy Bolo's review? Post a comment saying so!
