parts of the book were a bit tedious, but it was interesting that the author's mother chose to stay with the alcoholic father, that didn't support the family. The excuse was that in the '50's and '60's women did NOT leave/divorce their husbands. I think this mother would have done better without the husband. The ending is good though. ( )

This was recommended to me by a good friend, and it was an interesting and pleasant distraction from some heavier reading I have planned. An enjoyable memoir written by a daughter about her mother, particularly focusing on her mother's talent for writing advertisements and jingles for competitions in the 50's and 60's. Along the way, she provides a view of growing up on the very edge of poverty with a large family and an alcoholic father. I particularly loved the contest entries that are included in each chapter. Clearly, Evelyn Ryan was an intelligent and witty woman who found satisfaction, friendships, and monetary reward in her contesting. ( )

I recently finished this great book. The author is the daughter of Evelyn Ryan, a fiesty, resilient mother of 10, who writes jingles and ads for contests. The story is mainly about her contesting.. but I am getting more 'umph' from the author's story behind the story: how her mother manages with 10 children, a drunken husband and a car that falls apart for years, washing machines and other appliances that die every month, not enough money for food and constant trips to the emergency room.. and yet everyone survives. That alone inspires me. I am looking for more stories like this one. ( )

Great fun but also touching. Story of a family with an alcoholic dad and an literary minded and clever mother who manages the impossible: a reasonable quality of life for 10 kids.

had to give up halfway though....couldnt follow the story with all the verses and entries scattered on each page throughout the story ( )