The Bookmaker's Daughter: A Memory Unbound

Every so often and not very often a book comes along that totally memorizes you. The 3 previous reviews have said it all. The only thing I will add is that whenever I am bold over by a word,sentence or paragraph in a book; I usually place the book on my lap and say "Wow" to my self. There were a lot of Wow's in this story.

Originally published in 1991, and now featuring a new introduction by award-winning author Shirley Abbott, The Bookmaker's Daughter: A Memory Unbound is the poignant memoir of a daughter remembering her father, growing up in Arkansas in the 30's and 40's. Her father survived the tough times of the depression not through the trade of physically making books, but rather through the business of gambling and horse racing. Yet The Bookmaker's Daughter is about books in another way; the father who once read to his young daughter and stimulated her imagination saw her outgrow her small home town and head for New York City after graduation, against his wishes. A heartfelt tale of family bonds thicker than water, stronger than time.

I read her story when it was first published, also lost it after lending it to a friend. Since I didn't remember the author or title, it was left as a memory of a book I enjoyed both for the story AND the word-craft. I would compare the satisfaction of reading this bood with that of "Daughters and Rebels" (Also published as Hons and Rebels) by Jessica Mitford. Suddenly, last night, the title popped into my head, and here I am, ordering it for myself and several friends and daughters...

I read this book several years ago.I lent it to a co-worker who moved away from this area.Unfortunately,we lost touch & I lost my book.Recently,I purchased a new copy for myself & am just now getting around to rereading it.I strongly identify with the writer,even though our lives are very different.Her love for her father touches me deeply.I will always prefer to read a biography or autobiography to fiction any day.