Review of My life uncensored

Post by **Seetha E** » 16 Jan 2024, 12:32

[Following is a volunteer review of "My life uncensored" by Cristina Caymares.]

4 out of 5 stars

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My Life: Uncensored by Cristina Caymares is a book that depicts her unfiltered life experiences. The book describes the various people and situations in Cristina's life. When she was just four and a half years old, she lost her father to a heart attack, which changed her family dynamics drastically. Her mother was busy making a living and did not have much time to care for her. Additionally, her mother's way of life and involvement with men and multiple marriages, as well as the questioning from her father's side of the family, made her life more complicated. The absence of both parents during her formative years left a void. The various complications resulted in an arrangement that left her in the care of her grandmother or the caretakers.

Cristina shared a strained relationship with her sister on many levels. What one sister loved, the other hated. For instance, there was a conflict over spending time with their aunt. It is important to note that this book is not aimed at criticizing any family member or motivating others to do so. It is simply a collection of memories that impacted the author's relationships during her childhood and later in life.

Despite the challenging atmosphere during her formative years, the author holds dear the happy moments and the times she felt loved. She has fond memories of the food her grandmother cooked, the interactions with her French teacher, the caregiver Elena, and the warm welcome she received from her mother and grandmother after returning from a vacation at her aunt's house. These positive interactions, although infrequent, have stayed with her throughout her life and demonstrate the importance of a stable and supportive family for a child.

The author has shared several pictures of her family members in the book, which helps to give a personal touch to the important people who have influenced her life. The cover also depicts her longing for her father's presence, who would have been the perfect companion for her to face this world.

Even though the story is not presented in chronological order and the characters are not introduced in a proper format, I appreciate and acknowledge the author's courage to share her experiences honestly. I think that the book's rating should not be reduced because of having to re-read certain sections to understand the relationships between the characters. What the author wants to convey is more important than how it's presented. I admire her spirit.

I found some errors in the book, but they don't affect the reading experience. However, I would suggest an edit to make it completely error-free. Due to the number of errors, I am reducing my rating by one star. I rate this book four out of five stars.

It's a known fact that many children, both boys and girls, find themselves in a state of confusion, self-doubt, and insecurity through no fault of their own. This book could help them gain perspective and the courage to open up. I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading raw autobiographies.

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My life uncensored
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Bettny Andrade · Post by **Bettny Andrade** » 29 Jan 2024, 19:28

The situations to which children are exposed during childhood clearly mark their way of being in adulthood. There is certainly great value in sharing the story with readers. Thanks for your review!

Cara Wilding · Post by **Cara Wilding** » 30 Jan 2024, 14:44

Seetha E wrote: ↑16 Jan 2024, 12:32 [Following is a volunteer review of "My life uncensored" by Cristina Caymares.]

Cristina shared a strained relationship with her sister on many levels. What one sister loved, the other hated. For instance, there was a conflict over spending time with their aunt. It is important to note that this book is not aimed at criticizing any family member or motivating others to do so. It is simply a collection of memories that impacted the author's relationships during her childhood and later in life.

Despite the challenging atmosphere during her formative years, the author holds dear the happy moments and the times she felt loved. She has fond memories of the food her grandmother cooked, the interactions with her French teacher, the caregiver Elena, and the warm welcome she received from her mother and grandmother after returning from a vacation at her aunt's house. These positive interactions, although infrequent, have stayed with her throughout her life and demonstrate the importance of a stable and supportive family for a child.

It's a known fact that many children, both boys and girls, find themselves in a state of confusion, self-doubt, and insecurity through no fault of their own. This book could help them gain perspective and the courage to open up. I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading raw autobiographies.

Seetha, this feels like a book I would enjoy. Your description of the 'raw' autobiography and the outcomes and insight from these interactions and relationships appeal to me. I loved hearing about what the cover depicts; that pulled my heartstrings a bit. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this book; thanks for sharing them with us! Until next time...

Post by **Seetha E** » 30 Jan 2024, 23:20

Bettny Andrade wrote: ↑29 Jan 2024, 19:28 The situations to which children are exposed during childhood clearly mark their way of being in adulthood. There is certainly great value in sharing the story with readers. Thanks for your review!

The kids are sadly the victims. The absence of an anchor can create havoc and a whole lot of insecurities.
Thanks Bettny for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Happy reading.

Post by **Stephen Christopher 1** » 30 Jan 2024, 23:35

Reading between the lines, I get the feeling this book might be a bit heavy-going in some places. I'm a little bit towards the other end of the scale where I believe that regardless of our upbringing, we can make positive changes, so blaming our parents isn't necessarily my way of thinking. i might skip this one, but thanks for the excellent and really thorough review.

Post by **Sarah Zain** » 31 Jan 2024, 03:27

Your words in describing the book are captivating. I loved your way of describing how the author held on to the few happy moments with her family. The influence of the family on children too big to ignore. The slightest behavior can harm the child for the rest of his/her life. Distinguished review Seetha!

Post by **Anu Anand** » 10 Jul 2025, 23:08

I’m always drawn to honest autobiographies like this, so I’ll definitely check it out. It’s true that when kids grow up without enough support or emotional security, it leaves a deep impact. Some do manage to find their way later in life, but I think that often depends on whether they find the right kind of support or guidance along the way. I believe some kids grow through quiet observation and inner reflection too. That’s why stories like this matter... they give us a window into what that kind of childhood can feel like. Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful review, @Seetha E