Raising Wrenns
by Mal Wrenn Corbin
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date 31 Jan 2024 | Archive Date 28 Jan 2024
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Description
The only way people get out of Worcester is in a body bag, people used to say when Mal was growing up in the Main South neighborhood-crash-landing in house after house like true wrens, her family's nutty avian namesake.
Raising Wrenns recounts her trips back to Worcester after the men in her family lost their lives; first her dad when he was shot, and later her brother who committed suicide jumping off a roof. On these trips she revisits the shoddy apartments they perched in, resurrecting her macabre, sometimes comical childhood memories of the streets where they fought bloody and birdlike for their survival.
The book is cordoned by fantastical and scientific stories comparing her family's world and personality traits with those of wrens. It also contains a creative history of Worcester, a former factory town plagued by poverty, addiction, and violence-a cycle that Mal, unlike her brother and father, was able to escape.
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9798988271567 |
| PRICE | |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Abigail L, Librarian
Raising Wrenns takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the gritty streets of Worcester, offering a poignant memoir that intertwines the author's personal tragedies with the avian world of wrens. Mal skillfully navigates the harsh realities of her Main South neighborhood, where survival is a daily struggle. The story is laced with both macabre and comical anecdotes, drawing readers into the heart of her family's tumultuous history. As she revisits the shoddy apartments that once housed her loved ones, Mal shares a creative and scientific exploration of her family's world, comparing it to the fascinating traits of wrens. This memoir provides a unique perspective on overcoming adversity and escaping the cycle of poverty, addiction, and violence. I found myself captivated by the blend of personal anecdotes and insightful comparisons.
Sue E, Reviewer
Strap in, folks, because Raising Wrenns is a wild ride through the mean streets of Worcester. The book kicks off with a bang, literally, as Mal introduces us to her family's nutty avian namesake and the chaos of Main South. The hook is strong, and from there, it's a rollercoaster of memories and street antics that'll make your head spin. But here's the twist – amidst all the crazy, Mal weaves in fantastical and scientific stories about wrens, drawing hilarious parallels to her own family. From her dad's unfortunate shooting to her brother's rooftop antics, each chapter is a rollercoaster of emotions. The best part? Mal breaks the cycle of her family's struggles and takes readers on a journey of escape. Raising Wrenns is not just a memoir; it's a hilarious, heart-wrenching, and downright spunky ride that'll keep you hooked from start to finish.
