Dodging Her Chariot

Dodging Her Chariot is a fascinating memoir with strong writing throughout and highly developed, interesting characters. Ms. Wakefield's mother is in fact so well drawn that I felt as if I knew her myself a few chapters into the story.

Protecting her siblings from a schizophrenic mother and an abusive, alcoholic stepfather was sometimes beyond her, but she determined to keep them from the circumstances that stole her own earlier childhood. If you want to find an example of strength, foresight and love, you are definitely in the right place.

The author does a wondrous job of relating the many peculiar and traumatic events of her life growing up with this woman without ever coming across as overly bitter. It's almost as if she is viewing events as an outsider looking in. It's the latter that actually gives this memoir the feel of a well-plotted novel. The book's design is clean, the chapters well titled, and the cover art appropriate for the story.