These days, I’m reading lots of memoirs from women who have led extraordinary lives in their own respects. Mid-level recovering Canadian actresses, poets who have started over after a marriage gone wrong, a young woman running away from all that she’s ever known.
While I am not certain what put me onto this path of reading, I do know that I’m intentionally staying on it.
by Megan Phelps-Roper
I can't recall where or when I picked up this book. It likely came into my possession through our Little Free Library or from a bulk collection I bought at a good price. Regardless of how it came to me, I was disappointed by the time I spent reading it.
There’s no doubt that Phelps-Roper’s story is both important and interesting. I believe that wholeheartedly. However, the book felt lacking in substance and depth, and it simply wasn’t long enough to provide a fuller, more complete narrative to make it worthwhile.
At times, Unfollow felt too simplistic—a story that didn’t seem all that difficult or challenging, and where the process of overcoming obstacles didn’t feel particularly arduous. I don’t think this reflects the reality of the author’s experiences; rather, I feel that not enough time, care, or attention was given to telling the whole story in a way that would do it justice.
Perhaps this is more a reflection of poor editing—or a lack of proper editing—than a lack of a compelling story to tell.