Review Of The Book Gardening With Guns By Aj Wootton
Families can be complicated and so, at times, are the decisions we make. Often the very things in life we endure and survive are affected the most by the attitude we hold. In Gardening with Guns, author AJ Wootton shares a page-turning glimpse of a seemingly put-together life and the reality of what happens behind closed doors. We are taught early on to not judge a book by its cover, and the same should go for life. One never knows the fascinating truths of the people around them until they willingly share. AJ Wootton has done an incredible job of sharing.
This well-written memoir draws the reader in and keeps you wondering what will happen along the way. The story is 'heavy' at times, but the determinate ability of the author to cope keeps the reader encouraged rather than dismayed. I rate this story four out of four because I believe this memoir could be a catalyst for another readers struggle. Memoirs have a way of perpetuating self-examination and creating life-changing results.
The sensitive subject matter is difficult to read, partly because the writer shares each moment precisely the way she lived them, and so we, as the reader, feel those moments. Details in this story can seem ordinary at times, but well placed. There is a decent amount of back and forth in time, but it is not confusing or difficult to follow. Before long, I found myself recognizing places and people as though I'd known them personally. I couldn't find anything about this book I disliked other than some of the people in the story.
The family dynamics run the gamut. There are very complicated relationships between the author and her mother, father, and husband. Whether it be stepparents or coworkers, or any of the other key figures in her life, each complicated connection, dysfunctional or not, is presented in a relatable way. Wootton reveals her story with every page, much like a brushstroke of a painter until the final portrait. This book will appeal to a variety of readers, specifically relating to topics of abuse, troubled marriages, family relationships, and tragic loss.
Gardening with Guns will have you rooting for the author through each tragedy and triumph. It is a reminder of the things in life that truly matter, and there is light at the end of the tunnel even when we don't see it. By the time you finish, you will find yourself believing we can all possess the ability to move forward and truly live.
