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Book Review of She Got Up Off the Couch: And Other Heroic Acts from Mooreland, Indiana

She Got Up Off the Couch: And Other Heroic Acts from Mooreland, Indiana
robine4206 avatar reviewed on + 50 more book reviews


I like Haven Kimmel and I like the characters she writes about in her book.

The book is about Zippy's mom and how she takes control of her life and literally gets up off the couch and moves into a new life. For a long time I did not realize that this book and Zippy were autobiographical. It didn't really make a difference in the end but it just shocked me a little I guess. I don't think I've read an autobiographical book since high school, many years ago, and I remember all those books as dry self-serving drivel. That is not the case with this book or with the first book Zippy. I grew up poor also and like Zippy never seemed to realize it. Zippy has such an optimistic outlook on life.

This book is about her mother's journey to independence as much as it is about Zippy growing up. It was about people finding their way in life and finding their own identities and recognizing each others goals and achievements. All the characters in the book are transformed by the single even of Zippy's mother going off to college and finding happiness for herself in a new life but never leaving the old life behind. She never walked away from her family but learning to deal with all the old habits and characters in a positive way. She even brought Zippy along for the ride. Opening her up to new ideas and experiences. Some Zip understood and others that only her mother understood.

If you haven't read Zippy please read that first and then read this book. This book picks up exactly where Zippy ends and the back ground information is important to understand the mountains her mother had to climb to get up off the couch.

This book was a quick read and so delightful you will enjoy your time spent reading. It's well worth it !