Susan's Reviews > Small Fry: A Memoir

Lisa did not win the parent lottery. That often happens to people who have young parents and who have no resources- financial, emotional, etc.- to do the job. This was the case here. Neither parent really wanted her and she kind of floated with no sense of belonging. So why didn't I feel sorry for her?
1. The first 1/2 of the book was when she was 10 or younger. It's not that particularly interesting and this book was no exception.
2. An extraordinary amount of time was spent on people's bathroom habits (her mother had an unique way of using the toilet) and a lot of space devoted to using the bathroom. Yawn.
3. She had really kind neighbors who took her in when she had nowhere to go. They paid her last year of Harvard and for school in London. Then she cuts them down by including a quote by someone who didn't even know them accusing them of trying to buy a daughter. It was mean and there was no reason for it.
4. She never felt like her father did enough for her. Just how much did she think he was entitled to? He paid child support, bought her mother a house, paid her tuition at Harvard (not cheap) and had her living with him at times - in fact until she moved out. I just don't get why she thought she should get more. Because he was rich? He certainly didn't lavish it on himself or her siblings. He just didn't spend money the way she thought he should. Too bad. Earn your own.

I just didn't care for her or feel sorry for her. Lots of people have done worse at the parent lottery and didn't get the private education and top notch college she got. Tell me when you have something to feel sorry about. Read Educated and learn about real abuse. You just wasted my time.