Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Zippy II
Just finished A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel. It's about the author's childhood in tiny Mooreland, Indiana in the 1970's. She recalls the children, adults and animals of her three-church town with a child's honesty and amazement. Kimmel was known as Zippy by her family when she was little, and she wasn’t unlike a Scout Finch, being a scruffy tomboy who was interested in getting to the bottom of everyone else's business. Some passages are funny and touching. I was particularly moved by her relationship with her father. He both saw her as the troublemaker she was and respected her as person, however young. I guess the only thing that kept me from loving the book was Kimmel’s lack of restraint. I didn’t feel that I was being handled as I do with a really fine writer. She doesn't seem to be choosing what to give as much as she’s just giving all she's got. Still, sweet and funny, it's a good memoir.
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3 comments:
Would I like it?
It's OK Christine, Zippy doesn't have to be your favorite book (Cuz we all know about your "thing" with "Moby Dick").
I get what you say about her all-in style, this was her first work (and yes, it does show) and I think that was the thing that I really liked about it. You don't feel led, you're just getting whatever she's saying/feeling.
I wonder if you are interested in reading this book's sequel. It was written three books later and you certainly more "led". Perhaps this is why I didn't care for it as much. Hmmmm.
Boy, just wait'll you hear what I say about "Home Cooking"! (g)
Aside to cooksin- oh course you'll love it. It's Zippyrific!
Whew. Thanks for letting me off the hook, Don. I was afraid you wouldn't talk to me again. Do you mean the book about her mom? Which you said is actually the book about her dad? I might want to read it. Might have to jump over to Thunderbolt Kid first to get a male's perspective of growing up. I have read and liked other Bryson. Course, now I'm thinking of Scout and might have to return to that Dear Favorite. So many books. . .
As for Cook, I really don't know. It's nonfiction, and you are partial to your stories. I think you would like Glass Castle by Walls, actually.
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