Recent Arrivals chronicles the books that have made their way onto the Today, I Read… bookshelf. Here’s the latest arrival: The Impostor’s Daughter by Laurie Sandell
First line: Whenever my father went out of town, he had the mail stopped.
Initial thoughts: I cracked this book open and read the first page and knew I was in for an interesting treat. It’s a memoir in graphic novel form and it starts off with some intriguing revelations.
Book description:
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 for a top women’s magazine. Growing up with her extraordinary father has given Laurie a knack for relating to the stars. But while researching an article on her dad’s life, she makes an astonishing discovery: he’s not the man he says he is–not even close. Now, Laurie begins to puzzle together three decades of lies and the splintered person that resulted from them–herself.
Scheduled for release late July 2009
# Mailbox Monday - Today, I Read… wrote on June 8, 2009 at 1:21 pm:
[...] The Imposter’s Daughter by Laurie Sandell: 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 for a top women’s magazine. Growing up with her extraordinary father has given Laurie a knack for relating to the stars. But while researching an article on her dad’s life, she makes an astonishing discovery: he’s not the man he says he is–not even close. Now, Laurie begins to puzzle together three decades of lies and the splintered person that resulted from them–herself. [...]
# Belle wrote on June 9, 2009 at 3:42 pm:
This one definitely sounds interesting – I like that it’s in graphic novel format, too.
# Ann-Kat wrote on June 9, 2009 at 7:25 pm:
Actually just finished reading it today. It was a quick read, though sometimes I was slowed down by the handwriting (the bubbles are printed in her own had which gives it a personal touch). Overall, it was a great book. It’s going to be a tough review to write because there are little quirks and points I’d like to highlight, but it may be difficult without giving too much away. I’m looking forward to the challenge though.