Estranged by Jessica Berger Gross tells her story of her fathers physical and emotional abuse. I wanted to beable to like this book, because I can relate to it. I empathized with the author, but somehow the book felt distant to me. I think perhaps it was the way in which the book was written. Overall, it was okay, but I probably won't reread it.

Thank you Netgalley and Scribner for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

How do you explain the complicated ways in which some of your best moments as a family were knotted together with some of the most shameful ones.

The author's memoir of the physical and emotional abuse she suffered under her father and her mother's passivity towards the abuse. A love/hate relationship.

I struggled with this one to feel any empathy and it bothers me that I can't put into words why. I don't know if her writing was to mechanical and putting her story into words she distanced herself not to feel even though she cried, yelled, and even grieved what she wanted most was a family to feel safe in. Maybe she comes across a hardness of the heart that I just could not get thru. Regardless, when children suffer, the world suffers.

A Special Thank You to Scribner and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

I received this book through NetGalley and its publisher, Scribner. This is a story about a girl growing up in a dysfunctional Jewish family. The family consists of her father, mother, and two brothers. The trials and tribulations she encounters with an abusive father and submissive mother.

At times, it feels like a typical teenager complaining about her father. Her parents were involved in helping her often: obtaining a car, buying clothes, attending summer camp. She appears out of control with drugs, alcohol and sex. She shares a few instances where her father is verbally and physically abuse while her mother stands by.

She rebels against her parents. She gets married and doesn’t invite her family. She has a miscarriage and provides heart-wrenching details of the experience – without her mother. Eventually she has a child and doesn’t share the news with her family. The child never will know his grandparents. Jess has made it clear she wants nothing to do with her family. This isn’t just about her family; she has few long-term friends.

As a parent of adult children, my heart ached for the parents. Perhaps the abuse was more prevalent than the book relays. I’m confident Jess’s parents weren’t without faults. However, Jess was absolutely unforgiving. It felt like a harsh sentence. Is she a bit spoiled?

Fans of The Glass Castle and Breaking Night will enjoy this memoir about a young woman growing up with a physically abusive father and a mother who is unable to either stand up to her husband or provide her daughter with any form of nurturing. This is ultimately a positive story and you'll be rotting for the author as she finally breaks away from the family that held her back for so long.

I was disappointed with this book in that it dealt more with the author's career than her estrangement from her parents. As a person estranged from a parent as well I wish more of the book had been devoted to that than her time spent in acting workshops. Decent book but more random memoir than book about estrangement.

Estranged was an emotionally traumatic book to read. The author details her life and the abuse she suffered from her father. While her parents definitely helped her out financially through her mid twenties, it was accompanied with biting criticism, cutting comments, and lots of ugliness. I couldn't put this book down, although there were many cringe worthy parts.

I enjoy reading memoirs a lot; part of it is seeing how other people cope with this thing called "life" and with the curveballs that get thrown at them. Another reason is the fact that usually you know things will turn out at least OK. The person made it out whatever horrible situation they found themselves in and are now able to tell their story. I find solace in that and it makes reading out aforementioned horrible situations bearable.I also find it important to see how other people live - it makes me more empathic person I hope and shows me that there is always more to a person than meets the eye.

Jessica Berger Gross tells the story of her childhood and her early adult years - about how her father was physically and mentally abusive and how her mother stood by. She does a remarkable job at still painting a well-rounded picture of her parents who are far more than abusers to her - they also provide for her and love her and still do horrible things. Her parents until the end of their relationship with Jessica Berger Gross never see how all his wholly their fault and none lies with Jessica. No child deserves to be abused and to be scared at home and to internalize all the hateful things they hear.

I devoured this book in a couple of hours; I just needed to know for sure that she gets out and gets better and finds a way to live with her scars. The way the story is told is wonderfully crafted and painted a viviv picture of Jessica Berger Gross' journey and how difficult it was in places and how much better things got for her. While at the same time showing that those scars do not disappear over night and that she still fights with her memories.

"Estranged" is a heartrendingly written, detailed memoir. I've encountered nothing like Berger Gross' memoir despite searching for a book for those who choose estrangement in this way. Jessica Berger Gross bares her soul to the reader and in doing so, she has created a powerful and authentic book. I am recommending "Estranged" to the professional organizations I work with (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, International Bipolar Foundation) for many of us with mental illness become estranged from family members, and I will continue to refer people to this book in the years to come.

Wish that there would have been some sort of reconciliation but I didn't live through what author had to deal with.
Sad but honest account of a hurt child/adult.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Beautifully Memoir I enjoyed so much.

4.5 Stars!!


Estranged is a moving memoir of Jessica Berger Gross's childhood growing up in an abusive and dysfunctional family. From the outside the Berger Family were the quintessential Jewish family. The family of five lived in an middle class neighborhood with educated parents who appeared to be living the american dream. In reality, they were living a nightmare at times, which deeply effected Jessica and was ultimately the reason she needed to sever ties with her family completely.

Jessica does a great job of taking us the reader on the journey of her life! Now that so many years have passed, with hindsight being 20/20, I think Jessica can pinpoint pivotal moments in her childhood that had lasting effects. I was so glad that Jessica took us full circle to her present day, it's really remarkable how she was able to heal--a true rebirth of herself. Estranged is captivating, powerful and inspiring read--I highly recommend you check it out!!