Summer Camp

by Diane Hanks

Some people never grow up. Others grow up gradually, barely noticing when they stop needing to talk to Mom every day or when they no longer need to borrow money from Dad. And then there are those of us who remember exactly when we stopped being children. We remember because it’s never a choice.

Summer A Memoir is about a girl who has no choice because her parents are alcoholics, and her mother is mentally ill. It’s the story of a girl who needs to get through grade school while bringing her younger siblings through the fallout of their parents’ war, divorce, and forced reconciliation. As she comes of age, she also must navigate the typical challenges of high school, which become more difficult after her mother walks naked through the streets of their small town following an incident at the neighborhood church involving holy water and a hamster. No one ever said mental illness doesn’t have a sense of humor.

Addicts lie. It comes with the territory. And while all lies have the potential for damage, sometimes the truths that go untold are just as bad. So above all else, this is the story of a girl trying to survive her parents’ lies and secrets; who, as an adult, must free herself from both.

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2011

About the author

Diane Hanks has a BFA in Creative Writing from Roger Williams University and an MA in Professional Writing & Publishing from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. A medical writer by day, she has written numerous screenplays and recently returned to her first love—writing novels. Diane also is a mentor for the Writers Guild Initiative, which makes the art of storytelling accessible to underserved populations. When not writing, she enjoys walking by the river.

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not at All About Summer Camp

I probably should have read into this book a bit more before I added it to my Kindle. As a person who grew up going to summer camp for 10 years and then spent another 16 years working at summer camps, I love to look back during the summers and read other's memories. However, there is no real camp in this book, only a small part in the book where the author and her siblings are sent to an orphanage one summer that their dad refers to as "summer camp." Still, I had a hard time putting this book down and thoroughly enjoyed it. It pulls at your heartstrings and shows how a person can escape a tough upbringing with the addition of just one person. Di is able to overcome so much, and I was very inspired by her story. There were moments that I teared up and moments that I just shook my head. Sometimes all you want to do in life is help, but sometimes there is nothing you can do. I related so much to her in these moments. I am guessing that the book is called Summer Camp after the author's screenplay of the same name. I do wish it were titled differently, but I am happy that I stumbled across this read. It was surprisingly a gem that I'm thankful to have read.

[Kim (Wistfulskimmies Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the true story of the author's appallingly sad childhood at the hands of her alcoholic parents.in it she lays bare all the horrors she endured and the impact her childhood had on her and her siblings.

This is a very heartbreaking and moving story. But it is also a story of hope. I identified with the author, having had an alcoholic father and a mother who was too sick to look after me properly. The courage that the author showed throughout the book was nothing short of a miracle. The story flowed nicely and (through blurry eyes sometimes) I found it quite hard to put down. my heart goes out to the author and I hope she found some sort of peace in writing this.

I recommend this if you like this sort of book. It is moving but uplifting in places and is a story of survival first and foremost. This book will stay with you for a long time.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this complimentary book in exchange for my review. I'm so glad I chose this to read! It was very difficult to put down.From the first page, it drew me in. I found myself shocked, saddened,sometimes laughing and comparing some of her teenage feelings with mine at that age. Everything this author lived with in her life with her alcoholic, psychotic mother and her withdrawn father, I did not get the feeling she felt sorry for herself. Instead, I felt she got through the best way she could without blaming anyone and went on to make a life for herself. This is one of the better memoirs I have ever read and highly recommend it.

[Angieleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review.

This brutally honest account of three children who grow up in abject poverty where both parents are alcoholics and their mother's fight with mental illness is one of the most powerful memoirs I have ever read. It is written with a grace that not many writers possess. Diane's recollection of what life was like growing up pulls you in over and over, even when you feel like your heart can't possibly handle one more sad recollection.

It is a definite "must-read" for anyone. While most readers may not be able to relate, they will, however, feel compassion for Diane and her siblings.

[Kristen Byers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mistakenly thought this book was a memoir about summer camp, but in reality, it is a story about a family's struggle with addiction and mental illness. While I couldn't personally relate to Diane's childhood, I could not put down this gripping memoir. Growing up as part of a low-income family, Diane and her two younger siblings must learn to deal with their mother's alcoholism, depression, and schizophrenia. Only after her mother's death does Diane begin to uncover the reasons for her mother's mental state, and she must work to save her siblings from the same fate as their mother.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in order to review it.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why do dysfunctional people have kids? Here you have two very unfit individuals procreating when they should be given a lifelong sleeping potion. While you have mature financially stable individuals who will never experience the joys of parenthood; life can be so unfair.

Summer camp: A memoir is very touching and emotional. After reading this you just want to hug your children and do everything within your powers to make them feel love and wanted. This is not to be taken lightly as it can have serious repercussions on them and the relationship they have with their own kids, as the case in this book. Dianne you should be given a medal for bravery and strength.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for me to review. This was one heck of a memoir. To call Diane's family dysfunctional is an understatement. Both of her parents were alcoholics and her and her brother and sister were neglected. She rose above that and even after learning family secrets long buried, did not let it bring her down. What an uplifting book! I didn't want it to end.

[Kelly Gressley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this memoir about Diane and her family.
She tells how she grows up with an alcocholic mother and a father whom works all the time.
This book was kept my interest to see how things worked out as Diane and her family!
It makes you count your blessings!!!

[Sandra C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight forward

Well worth reading. Highly recommend and wonder why this memoir had not caught the attention of Oprah list of recommended reading yrs ago