Review: Take This Man
To say Brando Skyhorse had a dysfunctional childhood is to put it mildly. His childhood could be the poster child for all dysfunctional childhoods. Skyhorse grew up with his mother and grandmother – they were always scheming and only told the truth when it was convenient for them. For years he thought the wrong man was his real father and he had a string of men come in and out of his life. At one point he says,
Our family was falling backward into a Jerry Springer abyss.
Skyhorse recounts his unconventional childhood in his memoir, Take This Man. I don’t want to give too much away because you really need to read this book to believe it. Skyhorse’s writing is wonderful and he tells his story in a matter of fact way but also with a touch of humor. I honestly don’t know how he survived unscathed and admire the fact that he’s able to laugh at all the absurdity.
I read a lot of memoirs and found this one infinitely fascinating. I couldn’t put it down even when it made me cringe. I highly recommend Take This Man to those who love memoirs and/or family stories.
I don’t usually go for memoirs but this one sounds pretty good!
I enjoy memoirs occasionally but I’ve become rather selective in my choices. This sounds like one for my memoir list.
You’ve got me curious — especially if you found it hard to put down.
You have me sold. I’m going to add this to my TBR, and see if I can get this audio.
Thanks for your review. I’m going to add this to my ‘To Read’ list.
I like memoirs, but have a hard time with dysfunctional childhood stories. I may be the only person not to like The Glass Castle.
I do love a good memoir. Katie Hafner, who wrote Mother Daughter Me, is our VHOB Book Club author for June. Everybody who has read it loves it. Yours sounds like a good one too.
I rarely read memoirs, but I’m drawn to dysfunctional family stories so this is one I’ll watch for!
I wish I read more memoir!
I enjoy reading a good memoir, and this sounds like one. I just read Kelly Kittel’s memoir, Breathe, about losing two sons in nine months and it is truly wonderful.
I can’t wait to read this! It sounds so good!
This reminds me a bit of Running with Scissors. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s what you said about reading it to believe it. 🙂
It reminds me of A Child Called It: One Child’s Courage to Survive by Dave Pelzer, A very emotional read, and one that I remember vividly after many years.
This memoir sounds fascinating. I’m intrigued!
Kathy, your review has made me want to read this memoir. It sounds fascinating!
I enjoy memoirs, and add in dysfunctional families, sounds interesting. Anything you can’t put down has me curious.
Now you have me intrigued.
It’s difficult to read memoirs like this isn’t it? If told well, I am able to get through them but I hate to see children in peril. Whether it be abuse or poverty. Lived it, don’t care to relive it myself.
I just saw this book on Amazon and added it to my TBR list. Yours is the first review I’ve read, so I’m glad you liked it! It will stay on the TBR list and I will hopefully get to it soon.
Memoirs are so hit or miss for me, but this one looks good. Maybe a little ‘Glass Castle’ feeling?
Is there any memoir that can be as good/bad as The Glass Castle?
you’ve made this one sound so good and I don’t even like memoirs!
Sounds like a must-read. It’s unfortunate that I find so much enjoyment in reading books like this!