
The writer and actress explore her childhood and youth, which was largely defined by her father's struggle with hoarding.
Publisher:
Boston, Massachusettes :, New Harvest :, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,, [2013].
Copyright Date:
©2013
ISBN:
9780544025837
Characteristics:
256 pages :,illustration ;,22 cm
Alternative Title:
Coming clean : a memoir



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Add a CommentHaving recently read Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller, I was aware that she was born in the same year as my older son and yet her life was extremely difficult because of her father's extreme hoarding problem. His habits created conflict in the marriage, resulted in a disastrous house fire and a feeling of shame and embarrassment in his daughter Kimberly.
It took many years before she was able to admit to her friends that her life revolved around the revolting living conditions created by her parents and that she and they(her parents) needed help.Her story gives us a deeper understanding of the difficulties and health problems faced by children in these situations.
She loves her parents but writes about the daily issues of trying to belong and cover up the horrors of living in a cluttered and filthy environment. She is torn between wanting to protect them and feeling angry at the repeated need to clean up and sort out their mess.
I would recommend this autobiography as it is very engaging and you can relate to her difficulties and also the complications which can result from a parent who has an obsessive problem such as hoarding.
Biographies are not my go to books but I found this one interesting and well written. The author writes about hoarding from the child's perspective. I gained insight and understanding about a difficult topic. I would recommend this biography.
Fascinating story of a daughter, her parents and their stuff. It is told without blame or embellishment and makes for a fascinating read.
This book explores the stressful relationship between a daughter and her hoarding parents. It gives a fresh perspective on what it would be like to live as a child in a serious hoarding situation, yet never be able to make a clean break due to the love for her parents.
Excellent autobiography of growing up with parents who are hoarders. It's incredible how things can get so out of control, and also incredible how the love shared between her parents and the writer has managed to not only survive but grow stronger.
Really enjoyed this easy to read book that had my attention from the start. The story told of the difficulties, shame, and trauma of being raised in such a dysfunctional home but the story was so much more. It told of how difficult, and sometimes impossible, it is for some people with this behaviour to change. Also, it showed that despite, the behaviour and disfunction, there was a deep but complicated love between each of the family members.
Interesting book which lays bare the author's pain and love for her parents, who were hoarders. It affected all their lives greatly and adversely. She tells her story with great affect and concern and love. Not a light hearted read, but worth reading nevertheless.