Sonja Larsen

In the acknowledgement section, the author says "It goes without saying that you cannot write a family memoir without a fucked-up family and so I thank my family for the bad decisions that made for good stories and the good intentions that made it bearable." And that is a good summary of Sonja Larsen's life story. So many bad choices but enough love and honesty to allow Ms. Larsen to become a writer and someone who works with youth at risk.

Sonja didn't have a typical upbringing. Early in her life, her family moved to a commune in Quebec. From there, she moved to California -- several months in advance of her parents and older sister, she was sent with a 20-something young man to California to being a new commune. She went early because he was more likely to get a hitch-hiked ride by having a child with him. She describes how she needed to look "sad but hopeful" to attract a ride -- she is eight years old. Her early life was almost entirely lacking in structure. She went to school, but didn't have to take math, or wear clothes.

Give the freedom of her upbringing, it is understandable that, as a teenager, she joined with can best be described as a cult, complete with a charismatic, egotistical, cruel leader and total control over every hour of her day. She thrived in that environment for a while probably because she finally had some structure in her life.

I was so impressed by the underlying strength of character and sense of self that no situation could completely destroy in Ms. Larsen. I was grateful for her honesty in talking about her life, and what that honesty can teach all of us about freedom. I admire her ability to accept her parents for who and what they are. I love her older sister who was a stabilizing influence and, from what we see of her, another strong person.

An amazing life story that may, at times, make your hair stand on end but ultimately give you a sense that we can do good in the world.… (más)