Funny and interesting. Loved getting insight on the Roseanne years. Would love to read more by Pentland.

Wow, was this a great addition to the children of celebrity memoir genre--Jenny Pentland had a complicated upbringing made even more challenging by the fact the her adolescence coincided with her mother's rise to fame. Roseanne is shuffling into (much deserved) oblivion now, but Roseanne, the tv show she created and fought for, changed the face of network tv for the better. But what Jenny went through? It's amazing that she's as kind toward her mother as she is.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy:

This was an interesting memoir - Pentland has a insider view of Hollywood entertainment and the toxicity that comes from it. I was fascinated and disturbed by her teenage years in institutionalized reform/mental hospitals. She honestly has survived amazingly healthy and well rounded from some stuff that would destroy a lot of people. I am kind shocked and amazed that she has such a good relationship with her parents - glad for her because it is much better for her to be where she is mentally. Good read. ( side note: Sometimes she assumed you knew things because her mother is famous. I would have liked it in the book versus me having to google it.)

The title of this book is partially correct: There are some amusing anecdotes about the family that inspired Roseanne Barr's original TV show (one of my favorites). Much of the rest, however, remains disturbing in hindsight. It is sad to see how the author's parents neglected her when she was a young girl and then sought to control her through abusive "reform" programs. Her accounts of wilderness survival camps and boarding institutions are riveting and harrowing. These "schools" damaged the psyches of their young charges, nor did they teach anything academic or practical. (I tried to keep this fact in mind as I read about the author's privileged adulthood. It is clear that she relies on her rich mother to support her and her family because she learned no marketable skills in school.) Recommended for all libraries.

I actually didn't know that Pentland is the daughter of Roseanne Barr before reading this book. It was a pretty fascinating tale of Pentland's life and upbringing and I look forward to reading more of her works down the road. I think this will be a hit with our library's memoir lovers, so I've ordered a couple of copies. Thank you!

Read if you: Want a raw, honest, funny, and moving memoir about coming through a traumatizing childhood/teenhood and finding happiness and fulfillment.

This is not a "Mommie Dearest" sort of memoir--Jenny Pentland is clear about her chaotic and traumatizing "treatment" in wilderness programs, mental institutions, boarding schools, etc, but she is rather reserved when actually writing about her mother, Roseanne Barr (she clearly maintains a relationship with her mother). Rather--this is a powerful memoir about the effects of a traumatized childhood and the struggles to break through to another life. She has a unique, original, and memorable voice, as well as an important story to tell. I look forward to following her writing career.

Librarians/booksellers: Patrons/customers will be interested in the author's family, but Pentland's compelling writing will definitely keep them hooked.

Many thanks to Harper and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.