Sweet Mystery: A Southern Memoir of Family Alcoholism, Mental Illness and Recovery

I first read about Judith Paterson in the University of Maryland Magazine. An article described a new television program called "The Writer's Tale" with Judith Paterson as creator and host. I wrote to Judith about my book, "How to Find a Fella in the Want Ads," and she invited me to discuss the writing process on her show. As soon as we finished taping, she said she had to go to the metro to meet the next author she was interviewing. As she left she gave me a copy of "Sweet Mystery." I'd never heard of the book. That night at bedtime I opened her book and began to read. Every night for the next week I read "Sweet Mystery." When I reached the next to last chapter, I went back to the beginning and began reading it again. I can't ever recall when I've been so reluctant to let a book go. It is enchanting, a brilliantly written story of love and so of-the-moment that I felt like I was there with her as she revisited her childhood. As a writer, I am in awe of Judith's skill at weaving the culture of the south into her personal story. It is seamless! As a historian, it is exciting to experience the south's history from an insider's perspective. The book is a series of gently told stories with space left for the reader's imagination. I suppose that's why I called all my friends. I am leery about foisting my taste in books on my friends because they are opinionated and choosy, but "Sweet Mystery" is the best book I've read in years. Above and beyond its value as a superb read, I want to urge two other groups to read it: families coping with alcoholism and battered women and the children of both.

I heard the author speak at a conference in Washington, D.C. last week. Afterwards, I immediately ran to the closest book store to purchase a copy. The very large store was sold out! I finally located a copy when I returned home from the conference. I couldn't wait to begin reading it and once I began, I was entranced and couldn't put it down. I felt like she was writing my own story. Her successful life journey and her beautiful writing makes me yearn to write my own story.This book by Judith H. Paterson should be in every library -- public and academic. It should also be required reading for every individual. It would be a wonderful book for class projects on family history in high school and college. Sweet Mystery is about the author's personal life journey; it is about sturggle; it is about survival; it is poetically written; it is heart-rendering; and it is joyful. Read this magnificent book immedaitely!