Gwendolyn Knapp

Initial thoughts:
Knapp is a hilarious writer and her incredibly funny style is the saving grace of "After A While..." This book is a bit of a downer, Qwendolyn's familial dysfunction and unhappiness permeates throughout. Her mother is unbelievably selfish, immature and enraging. I feel like Knapp has given me a general glimpse into poverty, Florida, the South and the strangle-hold affection/obligation that can exist in families who don't like each other. This book is authentic, upsetting, funny, sad and a bit sickening. So much of this book was so true and sad, (and truly sad) if not for Knapp's first class writing,humor and riotous descriptions I don't think I could have gotten through it. (Oh no. Am I making a this book is like "life" metaphor?) 12.6.15… (mere)

This is a book that really didn't need to be written. I really didn't care about the author's irritable bowel syndrome and a number of other a maladies and gross habits exhibited by her family and friends in these pages. It is like a celebration of the redneck lifestyle of Honey Boo Boo's family. Sometimes when I read a memoir there is a voyeuristic attraction but no so here. I just wanted to leave them to their drinking, clutter and dysfunctional behavior and go back to my family's unremarkable lifestyle.… (mere)