Before Women Had Wings (Abridged) Audiobook

" Recommended by an independent book store owner in Florida when I suggested I was looking for something similar to Secret Life of Bees. I thought this was better! "

" Engrossing, quirky and clever, disturbing and lovely all at the same time. Loved the characters ... "

" I read this when I was in college - I went through an Oprah's Book Club faze. This was an interesting one. "

" An interesting book about strong, yet flawed characters. Sometimes doing the right thing can be the hardest thing to do. "

" I really really dislike stories about abuse. I've very lucky to have been sheltered from that. I grew up in a warm and loving family besides of course the sibling beatings you just have to take :P While this novel isn't as bad as others I have read, it just makes me ill. The scene where she takes the brush to her daughter was the worst for me. Every comment she made about how evil her daughters were and how it would be better if they were never born made me weep. How could you say that to your own flesh and blood!? Then to put them through the other emotional abuse of her drinking and making the youngest sit with her. Oh. AH! I just don't have it in me to read these types of novels. Even if it's well written I just can't say I enjoyed it. The best part of the novel was at the very end when she sends her children away. And I still feel nothing good for the mom. Yay for reading a happier novel after this. "

" A book about physically and verbal abuse so it was very hard for me to finish. Luckily I did, because the ending gave us all hope for the future. Some of the authors own story might have been the inspiration to this book. "

" This book was an amazing read on a very sad subject matter. What drives adults to abuse each other and their children? Why do people have children? How does being "poor white trash" increase the chances that these offspring will no verbal, mental, and physical abuse? How do children cope with fear, pain and PTSD? "

" I just fell in love with the narrator of this book. Her voice and story are heartbreaking. Great book - couldn't put it down. "

" I have posted my review on my blog. "

" Heartwrenching. Sad. Strong. I read this when I was on my "southern streak" reading binge. A good one, especially if you like a story of tenacity in the face of adversity and poverty... Just the kind I like! "

" I rated this book as good but it disturbs me to read about any kind of child abuse especially from alcoholics parents. "

" Another book I didn't finish. Too disturbing for a pleasant night-time read. "

" An amazing book and i couldnt stop crying "

" Good quick read for the bus. But totally depressing. Chincey ending. "

" One of my all time favorites..I could relate to the carectors in so many ways it was scary. Read the follow up book also but was not as impressed. "

" Abuse from the perspective of a child in the 1960's. Moving and horrific would be accurate descriptive words. An honest and beautiful look into a painful world. "

" This is a readable and touching story of a young girl from a disfunctional family. The characters were well developed and I cared what happened to all of them, even the ones I didn't really like. "

" This was a compelling book. It's hard to think of and face child abuse, in any sense of the words, but I feel it's important. The author did a great job of showing what it must be like for many children in that situation. "

" Nice story. A typical 'Oprah' book. That doesn't make it bad, just predictable. "

" This book is just to good for words. You can feel the heat of Florida coming out of this book, even in the Winter time. Read with tissues. "

" I read this book when I was a senior in high school and it was a good coming-of-age book.... highly recommend this read!!! "

" somewhat depressing, but probably not without a vein of truth. "

" Connie May Fowler astounds me with the beauty of her writing. She has a voice all her own. A native Floridian, she evokes many memories of Florida as it used to be and as it is now. "

" All women should read this novel. "

" Wow. A heart-breaking story, yet beautifully told. Thank you, Connie May Fowler. "

" the ending made me cry! good book! "

" My most favorite book of all time. "

" This book reminded me so much of a sad, twisted childhood growing up in Florida. "

" Excellent book that will touch your heart. It will stay with you long after you've read it. "

" This is an odd story that closely mimics the life of the author. I found myself feeling sympathetic for the little girl Bird and finding myself hating the mother. I would not read it again but it was...interesting. "

" Disturbing story that makes you angry. Wrapped up to neatly, maybe to take away from the darkness. "

" I loved the voice of the main character. An absorbing story. "

" A book about physically and verbal abuse so it was very hard for me to finish. Luckily I did, because the ending gave us all hope for the future. Some of the authors own story might have been the inspiration to this book. "

" This is a story of abuse. I really did not enjoy reading it and would not have finished it but was reading it for book club. I've read books detailing physical abuse before, but this one was just harder to take. It is based on the author's childhood but seems unrealistic. I don't recommend it. "

" A very raw look into the life of a family suffering from the effects of alcohol, abuse, and poverty. It is very compelling and I found I had to keep reading until finished. It is not a happy story and I felt the need to read some "fluff" afterward. "