Erin Lee Carr

This memoir of Erin Carr's relationship with her Dad, David Carr is a good fit around Father's Day. Larger than life, he was her rock and sounding board, especially since they were both in the entertainment field, he as a NYT reporter and she as a filmmaker and producer for HBO and Netflix. When he died suddenly, in 2015, Erin had to face this loss with her twin Meagan, her step-sister Madeline and her step-mother Jill. Because of their closeness and likeness, the loss hits her the hardest and this book examines why. Erin is honest about her own shortcomings and battles with addiction (like her Dad) but what comes through clearly is her faith in him and vice versa. He is harsh on occasion with her, but he is always loving and always pushing her to be better professionally and personally. This can be a lot to live up to and sometimes Erin's help and praise-seeking seems self-punishing or self-destructive, but she is honest about that too. David Carr does not always come across as likeable, but he is admirable. And Erin makes her way admirably too. The narrative includes many personal email and text exchanges which show them both in their own words and that was my favorite part of the book.… (más)

This memoir is partly Erin Lee Carr’s recounting of growing up with her father (writer David Carr), and partly her forging a career in media production, coming to terms with her alcoholism ... and being rocked by David’s sudden and early death.

Carr is in her mid-20s here, living and working independently. But her primary attachment is to her father and his death is an enormous loss. As a chronicle of her grief, and as an homage to him, it undoubtedly felt therapeutic to write. But as a published memoir, I wanted more reflection and growth. I wanted to sympathize and learn, not merely witness.

(Review based on an advance reading copy provided by the publisher.)… (más)