This book was purchased for a book club selection. This was a sweet story told from the perspective of a child in a [large]family in the 50s. It was about a time in our country's history when women stayed at home and kept house and took care of her children regardless of the job her husband held. It taught a lesson on how to stay within your means but somehow manage to acquire extra money just when it was needed most. The story served to only endorse my belief that women are the stronger of our species and yet the more underrated. Where a can-do never-say-never spirit pays off.
Terry "Tuff" Ryan gently and joyfully shares the life and times of the Ryan family of Defiance Ohio. They were poor, they were many, but they had Mom. And Mom had strength, courage, and a gift. I laughed, I cried, I cheered. I'm honored to have read this lovely story. I bought the book after seeing the movie and wanted to know the details of the story. You know, the book is ALWAYS better than the movie. ;)
Thin slice of small-town 1940’s-1950’s impoverished American family whose matriarch sustains their finances by brilliantly witty jingles and blurbs written for American consumer product competitive contests. (These delectable tidbits appear throughout.) However, the story-line seems incongruously upbeat for such dire family circumstances of alcoholism, and abuse. Between the mother’s preoccupation with contesting and the father’s drinking, the distressing undercurrent of the book remains that the ten children were largely an unsupervised bunch. Enjoyable for the display of the unique talent of “the prizewinner”.
thanks for the quick response
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I saw the movie and thought I would like to read the book. Haven't started it yet but know I will love it. Would recommend it to everyone.
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