Tara's childhood was unusual in that she lived in various areas of NYC, due to the fact that her father, mother, and grandparents had such different life styles. The story flows well, as she remembers interesting details about her childhood, but did not try to write in a child's voice. Clancy is still young, so the memoir is a coming of age story of a whirlwind of a child, in a very loving extended family. She does write about the realization that she is lesbian and although some of her stand-up is a bit bold, the book is understated and not gratuitous. Although it is an adult book, it should be appropriate for teens. Book received in goodreads contest with expectation of a fair/honest review
The Clancys of Queens is is an non-linear, episodic race through Tara Clancy's childhood as it yo-yos between Queens, Brooklyn, and the Hamptons. The story moves very quickly in time and place without a clear transition and without much reflection. This is the story of a family but not in the context of time and place. In a memoir about Tara Clancy's, I leave without a real sense of who she truly is.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2016/10/the-clancys-of-queens.html.
Reviewed for the Penguin First to Read program.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2016/10/the-clancys-of-queens.html.
Reviewed for the Penguin First to Read program.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
This is the story of Tara Clancy half Irish American and half Italian American. Her parents split when she was quite young, so her upbringing was unusual and amazing. She spent weekdays with her Italian Grandparents in their lower middle class Italian American community. Many of these people were older and she mentions talking louder than any other 1st grader in her class because she was use to talking to 75 year olds. Her weekends were split between her mom and dad. Her dad, a NYPD bounty hunter, lived in a boat shed in a poor neighborhood in Jamaica Bay. It was a one room shed, but she made some of her most amazing memories there. Her dad would take her with him to the local Irish bar and grill every Saturday, and they would become regulars, Tara being spoiled rotten by the burly Irish lot. The she would go to her mother's boyfriend's home in the Hamptons. There she would talk about the universe and philosophy', go antiquing , and learn a third way of life. Due to her age, Tara never thought any of this was strange. She was such a headstrong, curious, and self-knowing child, that she took it all in stride and loved every bit of.
This is a beautiful coming-of-age memoir that explores her unique life. How the three lives she led, made her into the woman she is today. How the love and acceptance of so many unique and diverse people helped her achieve everything she has, and reminds her that her roots are strong and deep, it will take a lot more than a hurricane to put Tara down.
I sincerely recommend this book to any memoir or biography lovers. It is beautifully and wittily written, with an amazing voice. The people in the story, who have all agreed to allow Tara Clancy to use their real names are just as amazing as she is. This is definitely worth the read and it is a very quick read at that. A+
This is the story of Tara Clancy half Irish American and half Italian American. Her parents split when she was quite young, so her upbringing was unusual and amazing. She spent weekdays with her Italian Grandparents in their lower middle class Italian American community. Many of these people were older and she mentions talking louder than any other 1st grader in her class because she was use to talking to 75 year olds. Her weekends were split between her mom and dad. Her dad, a NYPD bounty hunter, lived in a boat shed in a poor neighborhood in Jamaica Bay. It was a one room shed, but she made some of her most amazing memories there. Her dad would take her with him to the local Irish bar and grill every Saturday, and they would become regulars, Tara being spoiled rotten by the burly Irish lot. The she would go to her mother's boyfriend's home in the Hamptons. There she would talk about the universe and philosophy', go antiquing , and learn a third way of life. Due to her age, Tara never thought any of this was strange. She was such a headstrong, curious, and self-knowing child, that she took it all in stride and loved every bit of.
This is a beautiful coming-of-age memoir that explores her unique life. How the three lives she led, made her into the woman she is today. How the love and acceptance of so many unique and diverse people helped her achieve everything she has, and reminds her that her roots are strong and deep, it will take a lot more than a hurricane to put Tara down.
I sincerely recommend this book to any memoir or biography lovers. It is beautifully and wittily written, with an amazing voice. The people in the story, who have all agreed to allow Tara Clancy to use their real names are just as amazing as she is. This is definitely worth the read and it is a very quick read at that. A+
