Author: Ingrid Ricks
Enjoyment Rating: ****
Source: Paper copy
Content Alert: physical and mental child abuse, neglect, implied adultery
In her memoir Hippie Boy, Ingrid Ricks writes about the years of her life when her mother's religious zealotry, her stepfather's abusiveness, and her traveling salesman father's ability to shirk responsibility all weighed heavily on her. Ricks could turn the story into a heavy-handed "woe is me" kind of tale, but she doesn't do that. Instead, Ricks works to see the perspectives of both of her parents (not excusing them, but also not condemning them). The book deals a lot with power-- religious power, abuse of power, abdication of power, absence of power, and how they play out in the lives of the Ricks family. She tells an engaging, empowering, and ultimately hopeful tale.
2 comments:
I just landed in Ogden because I've been using Hippie Boy as a guide to help teens find their voice by writing and publishing their stories. I don't know how I just stumbled on your review of HB but noticed you are in SLC and wanted to let you know about the student book launch party at the Ben Lomand Suites in Ogden Thursday, March 19th at 6 p.m. I think you would be blown away by their stories. And I would love to meet you. Best - Ingrid
Greaat reading your blog post
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