Dreaming:: Hard Luck and Good Times in America

by Carolyn See

Book Overview

In this bittersweet and beautifully written memoir, Carolyn See embarks on nothing less than a reevaluation of the American Dream. Although it features a clan in which dysfunction was something of a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0679430261
• ISBN13: 9780679430261
• Release Date: March 1995
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 343 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Real life!

This book left me with that feeling that you get after a long ride on a bike - wrung out and exhausted, but glad I went. Carolyn See holds nothing back, and this is at times a harrowing story. But it's ultimately about redemption, and of walking through fire and coming out the other side a better person. It's also beautifully written, with a style that is unpretentious and effortless. If you grew up in a "perfect" family, or even one that's relatively functional (bad pun - sorry!), you probably won't appreciate this book. If you grew up with alcoholics and divorce and police coming to the door and living out of cars, and like that, then you'll recognize a lot of the people in this book. I loved this book for Carolyn See's honesty, and also for her wit; she is a joy to read, and I would recommend this book to anyone (except maybe the Cleavers). Enjoy!!

Great book, wonderful person behind it

As a recent graduate of UCLA I have had the pleasure of taking two of Carolyn See's creative writing courses. She is such a warm & funny lady, one with such a charming disposition and wonderful attitude towards life in general that you would never guess the kinds of hardships she has endured. Her work is fascinating, and Dreaming is a prime example of how fine and realistic a writer she is. I'd recommend this book and all other works by Carolyn because she is truly remarkable with her pen, coming through with a very powerful storytelling voice.

A Great Book

At times, this book left me stunned. This is a well written autobiographical account of the author's life, but also, in many respects a social history of a section of post WWII Los Angeles. See takes her own life and places it within the broader context of the history of California and America. I am sure that her experiences are common, but this seems like a device to lessen the shame and sting of coming from a poor, dysfunctional background. Although See attained career success, the book is organized around her personal relationships and at times you just wonder how she survived emotionally. What also struck me were the educational and economic opportunities available to poor white people in Los Angeles back then. But See doesn't seem to acknowledge that there was a social structure in place to make sure that she had opportunity so that her hard work would pay off.This is a great book and I highly recommend it.

I Love This Woman

As an undergraduate, I had the immense pleasure of taking two of Professor See's literature courses. I was so excited to find out that she had written a memoir, because I was also taking a women's autobiography course at the time and couldn't wait to see how her unique personality would come across on paper. Dreaming is a wonderful, sad, and hilarious book. Despite her experiences, she never gets bogged down in feeling sorry for herself or preaching to the reader. It's like she is telling you this story as a confidant without feeling the need to explain the obvious or excuse herself. I loved every minute of it, and I could completely relate to her affectionate disdain for Victorville (I come from Rosamond---an even worse desert town not that far away). I soon passed it on to my mother and older sister, and they thanked me for telling them about this book and Ms. See's other novels, especially Golden Days. I treasure this book and will always feel so grateful for having the chance to meet this amazing author and be in her classes.

The Lost Weekend that lasted for generations

I loved this book; it tells tragic stories so initimately. The author feels so human, loving the people she so much wants to hate, but forgiving them over and over again. I would love to read about what has happened to the characters in this book since it was written. Great visual references; connecting faces with names makes me feel as if I know this family. A very good read.