Review: All That Is Bitter & Sweet: A Memoir - Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd's perspective on herself - and her famous family, April 5, 2011

By 

K. Corn "reviewer" (midwest, United States)

All That Is Bitter And Sweet: Memoir - Ashley Judd

This is not the first time where Ashley Judd has provided revelations about her early life as well as her difficult road towards independence and individuality.

But this time she has provided additional details, the kind of details that could provide hope and inspiration for others who have suffered difficult and extremely painful bouts of anxiety, depression and/or a lack of passion for work.

Perhaps Judd's greatest courage comes in chronicling the various sexual abuses she endured. As of this writing, her family is reportedly (according to media coverage) unhappy with Ashley's revelations.

But breaking the silence surrounding childhood sexual abuse is an act of courage and every celeb and other person who doesn't flinch or waver from the hard truth can help others cope as well. Even more admirable? Judd transcended her own personal pain to reach out for social justice instead of remaining mired in depression and fear - and instead of feeling powerless for the rest of her life.

Hard for adults to understand, perhaps, but Judd makes clear that children don't automatically understand that sexual predators are being "abusive." Instead, children can feel a range of emotions, from confusion to fear ...or even shame.

 

 

For anyone familiar with the press surrounding the Judd family, it is no secret that there have been tensions, even outright breaks in the family. Unlike Wynonna and Naomi Judd, famed as singers, Ashley opted to become primarily an actress - and then she seemed to fade from the spotlight. "All That is Bitter and Sweet" explains why this happened and how Ashley's feelings affected her decision to veer from acting.

Among other challenges, Judd struggled with depression and a loss of passion for her acting craft - even while she was still strongly in demand. But read about her early abuse and family struggles and it becomes clear that she worked hard to face her painful past and continuing struggles - instead of living in denial and finding it harder and harder to keep up a facade that hid so much.

By coming forward and writing about her own painful past, Judd provides hope for others who have suffered neglect, abuse, depression, and other potentially crippling problems. Judd also reveals her own methods for finding peace, including work with others who need help.She connects intimately with those who have HIV/AIDS. She trys not to be a celeb who stays distant from those she helps. It is also clear that Judd finds solace and help from the people she meets along the way.

It must have been hard for someone like Ashley Judd to reveal so much about herself. Whenever I watched her in movies,I got the sense that she was a deeply private person and some of that reserve came through - and ironically,even strengthened the believability of the characters she played - on screen. But it is far different to play a movie role than it is to strip away the celeb facade and write such an open memoir. 

She has finally found peace within herself & declares her painful past as her greatest asset! On overall, this is a great emotional roller-coaster ride (bitter) memoir with a positive (sweet) that is candid/engaging, a highly recommended book/memoir reading. 

You can grab a copy here and here.

One of the best books I've read this year...

Water For Elephants - Sara Gruen

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen: A Book Review

Although it is only April, I predict that Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen will be one of the best books I read this year. Gruen has proven to be an amazing storyteller.

Water for Elephants is told in the first person but from two different perspectives--Jacob Jankowski at 23 years of age and again, at 93 years old. Gruen seamlessly weaves the chapters between past and present. Jacob at 23 is finishing up his last semester at Cornell Veterinary School when a family tragedy causes him to flee. He finds himself on a train for the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth in 1931. Needing a vet, the circus hires young Jacob to tend to their menagerie. Jacob at 93 resides in a nursing home where he laments the curses of old age, the passing of his wife, and the waning affection of his family. The arrival of a visiting circus triggers a flashback to his youthful circus experiences.

1931 is a hard time for almost all Americans, and the circus workers are as hard hit as any. Most are one step away from being homeless and jobless. Conditions on the circus train are harsh for most. Many workers go weeks without being paid, and they tend to disappear during the night when times are tough (management has them thrown off the train). The menagerie is often times treated better than the workers. But the circus does provide three meals a day and a place to sleep--even it if might mean a horse blanket on a train bed floor. Jacob discovers very quickly that he's just about the only advocate the animals have and he must battle a ruthless owner (Uncle Al) and a crazy animal trainer (August).

Any circus has more than their fair share of interesting characters, and Gruen's circus is no exception. In addition to Uncle Al and August, there is Walter (the midget clown), Marlena (an equestrian with whom Jacob falls in love), and Grady and Camel (workers). One of the most sympathetic characters in Water for Elephants is Rosie, the elephant--who shares more "human" characteristics and feelings than some of the circus bosses. The tender-hearted Jacob quickly grows to manhood as he is forced to protect both animals and coworkers from abuse and worse.

Water for Elephants is a delightful, moving book, and the ending was a very pleasant surprise. Also, if you want a special treat, listen to it on audiobook. The two readers, David LeDoux and John Randolph Jones, did a wonderful job of bringing both Jacobs (young and old) to life. 

You can grab yourself a copy at Amazon.com and Book Depository.

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