Lucia Greenhouse

I received a proof copy of fathermothergod through a Goodreads giveaway. While Lucia's story is compelling and the book is very well written I struggled with the subtitle. Mrs. Greenhouse describes in her book a relationship with both her parents and her faith that was contemptuous from seemingly a very young age. I would say that this is more of a story about re-negotiating relationships with her parents than her faith. While her relationship with her parents is steadfast but complicated (and truthfully whose isn't) her connections to the Christian Science faith traditions are wish-washy. To say that this book educates or informs one of the inner-side of a mostly private but hardly cult-like denomination is a bit of a stretch. I was also annoyed at the the repeated apologies for what is without a doubt her individual perspective - of course it is! Stop apologizing and tell us the story.

Overall I really enjoyed the fathermothergod and have already passed the book on to a friend. I encourage future readers to expect less of the faith narrative. I got immense fulfillment from the story of a growing woman who is constantly examining, reconsidering, and reshaping the loving and dynamic relationship with her family and think many others will as well.… (meer)

UPDATE: This book was wonderfully written, honest, gripping and painful at times. My interest in it was sparked by the fact that my husband's aunt and his maternal grandfather were Christian Scientists. Another relative of his, though identifying himself as a Chrisian, shares some of the same bizarre beliefs about illness - that it only exists in the spiritual realm and can only be rid of through prayer. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in what it is like to grow up in different religions.




I brought this book home from the library the other day, set it on the kitchen table and it disappeared. My son was reading it.. then my daughter grabbed it.. When I finally got to open the book myself (!) I knew why they'd grabbed it from me. Right from the 1st page, the author draws you into her life. Fascinating memoir, though painful to read at times.... Very well written true story. Will update more later...… (meer)