The Impostor's Daughter: A True Memoir

by Laurie Sandell

Book Overview

Laurie Sandell grew up in awe (and sometimes in terror) of her larger-than-life father, who told jaw-dropping tales of a privileged childhood in Buenos Aires, academic triumphs, heroism during Vietnam, friendships with Kissinger and the Pope. As a young woman, Laurie unconsciously mirrors her dad, trying on several outsized personalities (Tokyo stripper, lesbian seductress, Ambien addict). Later, she lucks into the perfect job--interviewing celebrities...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316033065
• ISBN13: 9780316033060
• Release Date: July 2010
• Publisher: Back Bay Books
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Unique Memoir

If you have little time but crave the pleasure of a good book you should purchase this graphic novel by Laurie Sandell. It is an unusual autobiographical sketch of a young woman's search for the true identity of her father. The animation entertains such as a movie would. It is a fabulous read which captures your interest at the first page and holds it until the last. I suspect this author will have many bestsellers to come.

As Brilliantly Artistic As It Is Breathtakingly Affecting...

The Impostor's Daughter is a stunningly original and utterly compelling memoir. It is original in so many ways. The drawings and the text combined add a depth and descriptive precision that hits you on so many levels, emotionally, intellectually and creatively. As a psychotherapist that specializes in people who have been harmed by living inside a lie that no one in the family is allowed to name or challenge, I know intimately that although Ms. Sandell's story is utterly unique and mind blowing, the sad truth is that so many people have had to survive equally dysfunctional families, though, her's is uniquely creative in its dysfunction. I have already used this book in my psychotherapy practice to show people who are still in the "it wasn't so bad, it wasn't like they ever beat me with a lead pipe" defense of minimalizing that if you didn't have the worst parents in the world that you have no right to complain about the authentic pain that you experienced. As if all you have to do to be a good parent is not physically beat your children. What makes this book so special is that while it is quite easy to chronicle others bad behavior, Ms. Sandell doesn't choose the easy way out, that is to say, she never is vengeful nor in denial about how badly she needs her father merely to be the sweet and loving man she senses he has the capacity to be, instead of his misguided belief that in order to be good enough, he had to be extraordinary. The book so vividly illustrates that being an ordinarily loving human being is so much more important than being "better than anyone else", which, of course, if you have been so damaged that you believe this lie to be the truth, just demonstrates the sad truth that if you feel you must be better than everyone else, when in fact, nothing could be more extraordinary and special than what is actually the real truth - that nothing is more special and extraordinary than simply being a loving and compassionate parent and human. Being an ordinary and deeply loving, kind and compassionate person, is, to me at least, realizing the greatest achievement of all, giving someone the gift of feeling loved, cherished, and wanted. I'll end this review with the ironic realization that the book is such a page turner, that by the time I got to the section in which she describes her eventual addiction to the sleeping pill Ambien, I put off taking my own sleeping medication which I cannot sleep without in order to stay up a few more hours in order to continue the feelings of deep pleasure and poignancy that this book provides from the very beginning and only intensifies as it approaches the unexpected and utterly amazing ending. When I finally got to the very last sentence of the entire book, I was unprepared for the intense emotions I felt wash over me by how the very unexpected and utterly courageous and heartfelt message of emotional kindness with which she ends the book. It has, at least for now, restored my belief in th

Unique

Laurie Sandell has written and illustrated an intriguing and fascinating book with a unique format. Even though it is illustrated like a comic-book, it deals with the serious issues of deceit, drug addiction, the discovery of dark family secrets, and the journey into finding one's true self. The author decribes in detail how she idolized her larger-than-life father until she found evidence that he was living a life of lies and deception. What should she do with the information she has uncovered? How does she deal with who she is becoming? Does she find true love at last? How does she come to terms with family secrets? This book is realistic, contemporary, youthful, and a fast read.

Incredible story in unique form

I was previously unaware of the terms "graphic memoir" or "graphic novel" until I read The Impostor's Daughter. Now I wish every book was illustrated. The amazing cartoons add so much to the story. When I first opened the book, I must admit I was skeptical that there could be much content amidst the drawings. However, I was blown away by how much the illustrations really add to the telling of this story. This is an amazing book and an amazing story. My only complaint is that it was over all too soon. I read it in one night, couldn't put it down. I want more! I hope there will be a follow-up.

A masterful and fresh memoir

I was lucky enough to read an early copy of THE IMPOSTER'S DAUGHTER and was blown away. I read the whole thing in one night, and absolutely loved it. The graphic novel look is so fresh, and Laurie's story was enthralling. Both relateable and completely bizarre at the same time, Laurie's story of her childhood with a profligate liar father and how it affected her is gripping and delightful.