Nov 6, 2009

Book Review: Musical Chairs by Jen Knox

I admire the frank way Jennifer Knox wrote this autobiography and her willingness to share the detailed story of her life - her parent's divorce, her running away from home, her subsequent jobs as a strip dancer among others, her treatments for panic disorder and alcoholism, and her decision to attend college and to write. I was impressed by her struggles, including finding out more about the health history of her great-grandmother Gloria, overcoming her own problems, and eventually coming into her own as a writer.

The book is written in a straight-forward chronological narrative, the story mainly speaking for itself but with Jen's voice briefly commenting on her experiences throughout. I would have liked to read more about her internal journey through these experiences and her reactions now as a writer, looking back on her life. Nevertheless, this is an eye-opening book about one young woman's coping with adverse family health and circumstances.


Jennifer Knox is a fiction editor at Our Stories Literary Journal, a freelance writer, editor, and writing tutor.   (Thanks to the author for providing a review copy of this book).




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6 comments:

  1. It sounds like Jennifer Knox's voice comes through clearly and powerfully for the reader. I enjoyed your review. I think I'll check this one out. Thanks!

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  2. Sounds like a very touching story, and based on your good review Harvee I can tell that you enjoyed reading it. Congratulations on a good read :)

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  3. septembermom and Mark David: Glad you liked the review, and hope you will read the book!

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  4. I loved your review. I suppose it will take another memoir, maybe, before Jen Knox might feel able to share her emotions. Probably, it took a lot just to address the facts.

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  5. Hi Book Blog friend. I liked your review. I'll put Knox's book on my TBR list. I'm now a follower. Visit me at:
    http://galestanley.blogspot.com/
    and
    http://write-juncture.blogspot.com/

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  6. Good review. It let me know exactly what kind of book it was and whether I'd want to buy it.

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