What do readers think of Darling Days by iO Tillett Wright? Write your own review.

Darling Days was a difficult book to read... the words weren't hard but the story broke my heart. Yes, it was a different time in 1980s New York, but the the way the child grew up, the hit or miss parenting, the sexual ambiguity, the misguided home life, the drugs and mistreatment, the lack of so many things and yet she survives and ultimately forgives. An amazing story, sadly true. Read it if you can.

I'm not sure if memoir is the word since the book ends with the author only in her 20s but iO certainly tells a heart-wrenching story of her childhood. This is a timely account of gender identity issues, questionable (at best) parenting skills, and a never ending quest for personal happiness. This would make a good book club choice, given all the psychological issues that iO faces in her troubled youth.

This book begins with a beautiful love letter to the author's mother but... There's always a but! I usually read to be entertained, enlightened or to learn about something new. In my opinion none of these can be ascribed to this book. I did not feel love, just an ill hidden hate and condemnation.