Cherry

By: Mary Karr

Narrated by: Mary Karr

Mary Karr told the prize-winning tale of her hardscrabble Texas childhood with enough literary verve to spark a renaissance in memoir. The Liar's Club rode the top of The New York Times bestseller list for more than a year, and publications ranging from The New Yorker to People picked it as one of the best books of the year. But it left people wondering: How'd that scrappy kid make it outta there? Cherry dares to tell that story. Karr picks up the trail and dashes off into her teen years with customary sass, only to run up against the paralyzing self-doubt of a girl in bloom.

In this long-awaited sequel, we see Karr ultimately trying to run from the thrills and terrors of her sexual awakwening by butting against authority in all its forms. She lands all too often in the principal's office and—in one instance—a jail cell. Looking for a lover or heart's companion who'll make her feel whole, she hooks up with an outrageous band of surfers and heads, wannabe yogis and bona fide geniuses.

Karr's edgy, brilliant prose careens between hilarity and tragedy, and Cherry takes readers to a place never truly explored—deep inside a girl's stormy, ardent adolescence. Parts will leave you gasping with laughter. But its soaring close proves that from even the smokiest beginnings a solid self can form, one capable of facing down all manner of monsters.

Great performance!

Brilliant! So raw, real and funny at the same time. All of Mary’s memoirs make me think how we are all single individuals but share similar experiences in life.

Not as good as her other memoirs

This added more detail to her teen years, however it felt almost like fill in material than important, moving memoir material. This book covered ground she previously covered perhaps in more detail, but it some was repeated material. She certainly could have added this to the end of the first memoir (The Liar's Club) since that ended quite abruptly, as did this one. I really enjoyed Lit which is the third of Karr's three memoirs. Had I read or listened to the memoirs in order, I may not have given Lit a chance so I am glad I listened to Lit first.

This is a big huh??

Listened to this after recommendations from friends.- I tried my best to like it but it's just a little odd.

Mary Karr's voice makes the story come alive

As one who grew up in the same era as Mary Karr (albeit not in East Texas), I loved this book and Ms. Karr's ability to resurrect memories of that time that I'd long forgotten. She also gets beneath the surface of what her characters are saying to reveal what they really mean. Unlike another reviewer, I found Ms. Karr's reading to be a benefit, not a detraction. Highly recommended.

Refreshing

I enjoyed the authors ability to be self aware and self critical while also telling her honest story, which is wildly indulgent. Funny at times and sad at times, but never too much of anything. I loved this book!