Show Me the Way: A Memoir in Stories by Jennifer Lauck

Show Me the Way: A Memoir in Stories Reviews

• 
  Jennifer Lauck

  I like this book a lot. I think it's the best quality writing I've done. Some of the stories are simply over the top and over share but all of them contain the same spirit of diligence and earnestness that were prime ingredients to my own survival as well as what makes me a solid and devoted mother.
  
  When I read this book, and I did so recently as part of my drafting of my fourth memoir, I felt very tender towards that young mother I once was. I see the woman who so wanted everything to be okay for her family--even as the family was obviously in danger. The Orchid makes it clear that the marriage to the children's father is on the skids. And Links (my personal favorite of all the stories) shows the future--or what I am longing for the most which is to go home to my own mother who abandoned me at birth. The title story, Show Me the Way, is based on the song by Seal. "Show me the way to solve your sorrows and I'll be there," is the line from his song that played as my son, Spencer, was born and I felt like Spencer was a gift from the Gods sent (in part) to give me reason enough to continue living. I love Show Me the Way , as a title story as well because of the way I discovered and then played with back and forth story telling--present, past, present, past--I learned so much by writing that way.
  
  As for the writing, I think I would write all of these stories differently today. I was not as tight with my phrasing and imagery as I might be now but still, it's an honest picture of a young woman trying to be happy. I think it's a fine book and wonderful addition to the series.
• 
  Annie Carrott Smith

  Vignettes in which the author shows us her life as a Mom - plain and simple and complicated. I love the way she writes and the descriptions which carry us through the remembering. Moving back and forth from her life alone to that as a wife and then mother shows us how memories carry us forward.
  She is all of us.
• 
  Rhonda Rae Baker

  This memoir of stories speaks to all mother's out there. Beautifully written with honesty that will have any reader laughing till she crys and cringing in identification of the struggles. With my children came with directions...each were so different and even when they are grown, life still gets messy sometimes. As a grandmother, I can look back and reflect on these times. Wishing that I did a better job yet knowing that I did the best I knew how to do at the time. Really, that's all we ever can do in life. Putting our best foot forward and making the best of circumstances. Learning to balance the many hats we wear as women and even sometimes making it look easy. I truly wouldn't want to wear another woman's shoes and am amazed sometimes at the shoes I've wore over the years. Thank you Jennifer for reaching my heart and giving me inspiration to continue with my own stories. You are a blessing to all of us...(-:
• 
  Laura

  Good creative nonfiction. Awesome childbirth essay paired with her mother's death.
• 
  Michelle Akers-dicken

  I fell in love with Jennifer Lauck when I read Blackbird and even liked Still Waters enough to want to read more about her life. This one leaves me wondering... what's the point? I've read a few really funny books about the challenges of a stay at home mom. Maybe this was the point? The only really good thing I can say is that I'm truly glad for her that she found joy in her children and a solid, happy marriage. It seems like life is finally going in the right direction! As far as this book goes... I just don't get it!
• 
  Laura

  After two books by this author, this was a tough one to get through... just didn't like the way it was written.
• 
  Meghan Harrison

  I really loved this memoir. Having never read Jennifer's work before, I wasn't sure what to expect. I didn't want to read about a tragically sad childhood (sometimes I fear all memoirs are about that) so I was relieved to discover the majority of this novel was about her journey as a first and second time mom(though the parts she did include about her past,while sad, were not so overbearing that I didnt enjoy them as well). I am a new mom myself so I found a lot to relate to. The majority of her chapters ran quite true to me. The way she describes certain things about postpartum depression, loving her child, wanting to find her place in the world (outside of motherhood), and her relationships with her spouse and friends, was very relatable and I was glad she was able to put into words what I could not. It was therapeutic to know I am not alone in many of my thoughts. Overall a great read that I would recommend to any young mother trying to figure it all out.
  
  I must say my favorite chapter was her childbirth essay, in which she wove scenes from finding out her mother had passed away. It was a beautiful juxtaposition of life and death.
• 
  Louise

  From back cover:
  
  "Having lost both of her parents at an early age, Jennifer Lauck, acclaimed author of the memoir 'Blackbird' and its follow-up, 'Still Waters', has in 'Show Me the Way' made peace with her past in order to face the future as a mother herself.
  
  In this luminous and mature work, Lauck offers an unflinching account of the joys and pains of modern motherhood. 'Show Me the Way' touches upon the themes common to so many of Lauck's loyal readers: labor, delivery, and the physical details of giving birth; the decision to have a second child; the struggle to maintain independence and, of course, a healthy sex life; the tenuous work/life balancing act; the gossamer threads that bind a family together, the soul-defining nature of caring for children; and the ultimate surrender of finally "getting it". A moving journey through a mother's dreams and memories, 'Show Me the Way' is also a rewarding and inspiring conclusion for the author's many fans."
  
  
  
  
• 
  Christine Fay

  This engaging memoir chronicles Jennifer’s life as she enters into the challenging world of motherhood. Despite a difficult past, Jennifer is determined to be a super mother to her children. However, as she finds out, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, it’s one of the most difficult jobs on the planet. When someone gave her an orchid plant, she writes, “I touch the petal of one of the flowers and the texture is soft but thick. It’s a lot sturdier than it looks. I press down a little harder, almost enough to pull the flower off but when I let go, it bounces up and down in this impossible balance between stability and instability. Sometimes a gift is just a gift but sometimes, when you are desperate for meaning amid confusion, a gift can be a metaphor” (211). A quick read into the real challenges of motherhood and overcoming life’s challenges.
• 
  Erelin

  I am probably a bit generous with two stars but it did have a couple of redeeming passages so I couldn't give it only one star. But the truth probably lies somewhere in between. Except for those two passages I identified with, I found the book somewhat boring, full of needless detail and an average attempt at doing something that has already been done so many times before. There have been much funnier and wittier accounts written about the struggles of motherhood. It's a book that I am sure I will forget very quickly. There was nothing about it that would have a chance of surviving amongst my unforgettable reading experiences. I suspect her earlier memoirs might be more interesting, but I don't know if I am interested enough to find out....
• 
  Lexi

  I read Jennifer Lauck's Blackbird last year, and then the sequel, Still Waters, and now this third in the series of memoirs. I finished this back in February, so I have no idea if I can recall enough of the book to do a really solid review, but I'll try. This installment covers Lauck's experiences in motherhood. It was both funny and sad, like all of her work. It was good. I can't really think of much else to say about it, since I don't remember much. I remember that I liked it, though.
  
  Four out of five Whatevers. Recommended for those who have read the rest of the series, for anyone struggling through parenthood, or those who just enjoy memoirs in general.
• 
  Amanda

  SO sad, I read her trio of biographical books in anticipation of meeting the author and hearing her speak on her life's awakening. This book {Blackbird} was my first by Jennifer Lauck and left me wanting more - which was immediately sated by her next book Still Waters, a less turbulent time in her life but still marred with her deep familial scars. Her last book , Show me the Way, was an ending of sorts, but I still have many questions. Jennifer's wilingness to open her soul to us amazes me; her courage is very touching.
• 
  Leeann

  Although it was good to continue with Jennifer's journey, I didn't enjoy the format...maybe because it duplicated material from the previous book. Jennifer's struggles now are ones shared by many women, to adjust to and embrace our roles as Mothers without feeling so completely overwhelmed with the new responsibilities and changes. Good luck to Jennifer...I'm happy she found a wonderful man in Steve.
• 
  Lisa

  I really enjoyed Lauck's memoir of her childhood and young adult life, "Still Waters," and this memoir was an entertaining and fast-paced sequel, chronicling her early years as a mom. Because of her childhood traumas, Lauck's parenting is fraught with self-doubt and an almost self-destructive passion to be the perfect mother. I could relate. Watching her jump off the hamster wheel and confess her failures was refreshing. I couldn't put it down!
• 
  Faith

  Lauck's third book is not as great as her 2 previous ones. It is different. It is still autobiographical thou. This time she deals with the problems of parenthood and daily life as a mother and wife. I'm sure people who have kids of their own can relate to what Lauck is talking about in this book. All in all a beautiful book. Not the wrong book to read even if u don't have children of your own.
• 
  Pat Nelson

  Another good book by Jennifer Lauck. She has been through a lot and told her story; it appears that she came out the other end a good writer, presenter, mom, and person (not in that order). Good for you, Jennifer! I attended one of her writing presentations, and she is very likable, which added to my enjoyment of her books.
• 
  Edith

  This is my third book by this author...her story goes on. She revisits events in her earlier books as flashbacks in the first part of this book so some of it was "old news", nonetheless, I found it an easy interesting read. This is about her experiences with motherhood.
• 
  Leslie

  I'm glad I finally read the third book of Lauck's trilogy of memoirs. I love her writing style so much--so honest and unflinching. She inspires me as writer and as a person and a mother. I hope she writes more memoirs--I love reading about Jennifer's life! She is a very brave person.
• 
  Madaline

  This was the last of the 3 in a series. As you are reading, you'd think you could write your life story and make it as interesting as she has. Give it a try. It's not easy. She has quite a talent for writing!
• 
  Emily Pittsley

  Meh, just okay. It seemed as if she just wanted to crank another book out (in my opinion). She re-explains some of her childhood (which are already covered in the first two books) and then goes on to talk about her current life w/husband and kids.
• 
  Jennie

  (See! I don't rate everything as a 5 star!! :-)
  
  Although I love, love, love this author, perhaps it is because I am not a mother myself that this 3rd of the series didn't speak as much to me as her previous ones. Still, I loved reading it, and watching her evolve. Fascinating stuff.
• 
  Mary Barker

  I am reading this book for a second time right now and the struggle she goes through with her postpartum depression mirrors my own. I love how she is forming into this amazing mother while still keeping her past alive but not reliving it.
• 
  Suzanne

  Was not as good as the first two. There is a fourth one coming out. I would still be curious to read the fourth.
• 
  Dawn

  This was the third book in Lauck's memoir. Good finish to her story, but I enjoyed the first two much more (especially Blackbird).
• 
  Alissa

  More heavy self-reflection, too much, actually.
• 
  Jen

  Can't even get through the first chapter.
• 
  Kitty

  After having just read her previous 2 books, this one was repetitious.