Review of A Quiet Life
-
Isaac Oh
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 437
- Joined: 26 May 2022, 05:26
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 152
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-isaac-oh.html
- Latest Review: Unconscionable by Charles R. Butts Jr.
Review of A Quiet Life
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Quiet Life" by Michael Creary.]
Michael's parents were polar opposites in every way. His father enjoyed the Kuntry life, farming, and did not see the importance of education. His mother was a teacher who valued education and etiquette. She would usually internalize her feelings and emotions just to live a quiet life. With eleven children, a spiteful grandmother on her neck, and an uncaring husband, the quiet life she sought always seemed to elude her.
In Unequally Yoked Vol. 1: A Quiet Life, Michael Creary pens down the story of their family, particularly focusing on the protagonist, his mother. He narrates how life was growing up with ten other siblings, their peculiarities, and his mother's constant attempt to live quietly despite the abuse. Was the cost of the quiet life worth it? What would have happened if she had chosen to live otherwise?
There are a lot of notable positive aspects to this read. It is common knowledge that a child's upbringing and immediate surroundings, which include the people around them, have an irreparable effect or impact on a child. This story re-emphasizes this well-known fact. The Crearys grew up in a family where the father was very dominating, uncaring, and, to a reasonable extent, irresponsible. He believed that every misdemeanor could be corrected with punishment. Little wonder the children grew up and could barely think for themselves even as adults. They were not equipped with the proper social skills, survival skills, or financial literacy. Junior got addicted to the medications he self-prescribed. The effect of a child's surroundings is all too glaring in Michael's life. His stay with his maternal grandmother gave him insight he probably never knew he needed.
For me, the book was psychological. It views the consequences of events that happened from a psychological point of view and the effect certain events had on the psyches of most of the characters. It poses questions that would make readers ponder how little daily events could have harmful permanent damage to our mental health. This in turn raises awareness of the need for therapy sessions, counseling, and mental reorientation. Basically, there is a need for an outlet to purge emotions, empty the mind, be heard, and be understood. No character was without blame in the story. As much as I would love to heap the blame on their father, their mother had a part to play too. She would swallow hook, line, and sink every single directive from her husband without any questions, no matter how wrong it was. Though the siblings were initially victims as children, they soon became predators as adults. Each chapter was a lesson, with the lesson written as a quote at the beginning of the chapter.
There are some negative aspects to this book as well. The order of the events in the book was a bit confusing for me. It took me a while to realize that the author tells the entire story of a sibling before switching to another sibling. But the most challenging part for me was towards the end of the book. Rita had been collecting their mother's pension for two years and a half. I was confused as to which of the Ritas was discovered. Also, I was not able to perfectly fit in the timeline as to when Angela visited Michael and his family. More so, the book was not professionally edited, as it contained errors.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. Regardless of the profound themes addressed in the book, the negative aspects of this book keep me from giving it a perfect rating. I recommend this book to people who enjoy biographies, psychological books, or books about dysfunctional families.
******
A Quiet Life
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Michael's parents were polar opposites in every way. His father enjoyed the Kuntry life, farming, and did not see the importance of education. His mother was a teacher who valued education and etiquette. She would usually internalize her feelings and emotions just to live a quiet life. With eleven children, a spiteful grandmother on her neck, and an uncaring husband, the quiet life she sought always seemed to elude her.
In Unequally Yoked Vol. 1: A Quiet Life, Michael Creary pens down the story of their family, particularly focusing on the protagonist, his mother. He narrates how life was growing up with ten other siblings, their peculiarities, and his mother's constant attempt to live quietly despite the abuse. Was the cost of the quiet life worth it? What would have happened if she had chosen to live otherwise?
There are a lot of notable positive aspects to this read. It is common knowledge that a child's upbringing and immediate surroundings, which include the people around them, have an irreparable effect or impact on a child. This story re-emphasizes this well-known fact. The Crearys grew up in a family where the father was very dominating, uncaring, and, to a reasonable extent, irresponsible. He believed that every misdemeanor could be corrected with punishment. Little wonder the children grew up and could barely think for themselves even as adults. They were not equipped with the proper social skills, survival skills, or financial literacy. Junior got addicted to the medications he self-prescribed. The effect of a child's surroundings is all too glaring in Michael's life. His stay with his maternal grandmother gave him insight he probably never knew he needed.
For me, the book was psychological. It views the consequences of events that happened from a psychological point of view and the effect certain events had on the psyches of most of the characters. It poses questions that would make readers ponder how little daily events could have harmful permanent damage to our mental health. This in turn raises awareness of the need for therapy sessions, counseling, and mental reorientation. Basically, there is a need for an outlet to purge emotions, empty the mind, be heard, and be understood. No character was without blame in the story. As much as I would love to heap the blame on their father, their mother had a part to play too. She would swallow hook, line, and sink every single directive from her husband without any questions, no matter how wrong it was. Though the siblings were initially victims as children, they soon became predators as adults. Each chapter was a lesson, with the lesson written as a quote at the beginning of the chapter.
There are some negative aspects to this book as well. The order of the events in the book was a bit confusing for me. It took me a while to realize that the author tells the entire story of a sibling before switching to another sibling. But the most challenging part for me was towards the end of the book. Rita had been collecting their mother's pension for two years and a half. I was confused as to which of the Ritas was discovered. Also, I was not able to perfectly fit in the timeline as to when Angela visited Michael and his family. More so, the book was not professionally edited, as it contained errors.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. Regardless of the profound themes addressed in the book, the negative aspects of this book keep me from giving it a perfect rating. I recommend this book to people who enjoy biographies, psychological books, or books about dysfunctional families.
******
A Quiet Life
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Unconscionable by Charles R. Butts Jr.
-
Pranav Dewangan
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 528
- Joined: 13 Dec 2023, 08:56
- Currently Reading: The Science of Storytelling
- Bookshelf Size: 108
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-pranav-dewangan.html
- Latest Review: Mouse Trax by M.H. Dixon
Unequally Yoked Vol. 1: A Quiet Life offers a profound psychological exploration of a family's dynamics, challenging the reader to ponder the lasting impact of upbringing on mental health. The narrative's deep dive into the complexities of human behavior and the importance of emotional outlet is captivating, making me eager to uncover the lessons each chapter holds.
Latest Review: Mouse Trax by M.H. Dixon
