"This sequel to A Girl Named Zippy charts the continuing escapades of adolescent Zippy in tiny Mooreland, Ind., putting special emphasis on the liberation, via a college education, of her mother, Delonda Jarvis. With stories ranging from Zippy's run-in with a territorial cow on a friend's farm to "A Short List of Records My Father Threatened to Break Over My Head If I Played Them One More Time," Kimmel's Twainish tone deepens into a more modern type of despair as the problems of her parents' marriage become pronounced. By learning to drive, getting a bachelor's degree and becoming a teacher to support her family, Delonda expands her potential, mirroring the growing possibilities for women in the post-'60s era. Meanwhile, Zippy's father begrudges Delonda these few freedoms, while still failing to provide adequately for his family and flirting with adultery. Kimmel has a distinct voice and introduces quirky characters, but even better, she goes beyond memoir to explore the anxiety inherent in the shifting of traditional family and gender roles common to her generation. She draws readers in with her easygoing manner and ability to entertain, but surprises with a bittersweet paean to childhood naïveté and an arresting account of a family's disintegration."

Wishlist book, found at a library sale. (hardcover)

I liked this one even better than the previous "A Girl Named Zippy". I ended up doing the audio version, and in it Kimmel reads her own story and I think that adds immensely to the storytelling, coming firsthand & with all the voice inflections that were originally intended. This book has a somewhat more serious underlying tone than the first, but was still hilarious. Being a Hoosier myself, although not quite as rural as she, I particularly enjoyed the Indiana references and geographical landmarks & locations. Having previously read one of her novels (Something Rising: Light & Swift), I was almost turned off by this author, but am glad I went ahead and read the Zippy memoirs. Her fiction is totally different, which may or may not appeal to fans of "Zippy".

Sending off to ramson to fulfill a reverse wishlist relay. Enjoy! :')

This came in today's mail. Can't wait to read it. Thanks so much for sharing!

Received this in the mail a few days ago! Thanks so much Ramson! I read "A Girl Named Zippy" a few years ago and remember enjoying it. Hopefully I will feel the same with this one.