Rosie

Rosie Ferguson #1

by Anne Lamott

In Anne Lamott's wise and witty novel, the growing pains of motherhood are portrayed with rare humor and honesty. If Elizabeth Ferguson had her way, she'd spend her days savoring good books, cooking great meals, and waiting for the love of her life to walk in the door. But it's not a man she's waiting for, it's her daughter, Rosie—her wild-haired, smart-mouthed, and wise-beyond-her-years alter ego. With Rosie around, the days aren't quite so long, but Elizabeth can't keep the realities of the world at bay, and try as she might, she can't shield Rosie from its dangers or mysteries. As Rosie grows older and more curious, Elizabeth must find a way to nurture her extraordinary daughter—even if it means growing up herself.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Novels, Adult Fiction, Literary Fiction, Family, Book Club

275 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 1983

About the author

Anne Lamott is an author of several novels and works of non-fiction. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, her non-fiction works are largely autobiographical, with strong doses of self-deprecating humor and covering such subjects as alcoholism, single motherhood, and Christianity. She appeals to her fans because of her sense of humor, her deeply felt insights, and her outspoken views on topics such as her left-of-center politics and her unconventional Christian faith. She is a graduate of Drew College Preparatory School in San Francisco, California. Her father, Kenneth Lamott, was also a writer and was the basis of her first novel Hard Laughter.

Lamott's life is documented in Freida Lee Mock's 1999 documentary Bird by Bird: A Film Portrait of Writer Anne Lamott.

Reviews

[Leila T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Lamott's "Operating Instructions" when my baby was a newborn. Then I read and fell in love with her "Bird by Bird". I really like Lamott's literal and bald-faced honesty; there is so much (for me) to relate to in her neuroses and human foibles, especially those that are never admitted to.

"Rosie", at the beginning, took my breath away with how much I related to its main character. A few chapters in, my interest is flagging. I think what I need is (a) more sleep, if only my child would let me, and (b) a sense of the direction of this plot.

Further "review" forthcoming.

Update 16/11/09: Okay so I'm really not liking and not getting this book. It's so disappointing. And I think I've figured out why I find it so unlikable/frustrating: After reading two of her non-fiction books, "Bird by Bird" and "Operating Instructions", I feel like I know some of what the author, Anne Lamott, is about. I know a bit of her history, I know some of the way she thinks, or at least the way she thinks on paper. And the characters of "Rosie" just feel like fragments of Lamott's own personality, her neuroses, her weaknesses, her foibles. One character is an alcoholic, one is screwed up about men, another is a neurotic writer. It's too easy, too direct a line from the writer to the personalities of her characters. I have heard that you should "write what you know", but I'm beginning to wish that I'd read at least one of Lamott's novels before getting to know her as herself. And I LOVED her non-fiction stuff; it's why I picked up a couple of her novels, wanting MORE of her stuff! I couldn't get enough of her honesty, her letting-it-all-hang-out style.

So not only do the characters feel too transparent as facets of the author's psyche, but they all read too alike, too much the same. They're meant to be different people, obviously, from different backgrounds and interests and motivations. But in dialogue, of which there is plenty, I frequently can't distinguish who's who. Even the eight-year-old from the alcoholic mother. It's driving me a bit crazy.

And the neuroses are relentless. I just finished a bit of the book where the protagonist and her best friend go on a six-hour hike. The sentences---I started to write "passages", but they're not long enough for that---the sentences that describe the transformational nature of Nature are lovely, really inspiring and evocative of natural beauty. But they're so brief, and poof! Back to negativity, complaining, neuroses. I appreciate that that's what the character is about; I get that she's not into hiking or whatever, but every time there's a scene that could potentially be calm, beautiful, or uplifting, it reverts to neurosis. Maddening. Like watching too many Woody Allen films without coming up for air.

Pop culture/literary references are another thing. I don't get them. And if, as they seem to appear, they are necessary to establishing personality and mood, then not understanding them means that I'm losing context and ambiance in the reading of this book. Also maddening. On top of this, I just don't know people who quote obscure books or movie lines like this; I've never seen it happen in real life with absolutely anyone. If just one of the characters did this, I would be able to write it off as just one of the characters who would always be a bit enigmatic to me. But it's not. It's several or many of the characters. I can look up an unusual word in a dictionary to understand it if it appears in a book; if I wanted to understand the movie/literary/musical references that frequently appear in "Rosie", I'd have to look up the quote on the internet, and then either watch the whole movie/read the whole book/read a synopsis on wikipedia to attempt to understand what Lamott's characters are talking about. And that's WAY too much effort for what feels like a pretty directionless story.

Hopefully it'll get better, but at least I feel a bit better now that I've got this frustration out of my system.

[Kendra Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne Lamott is an author who manages to creep under my skin in that way that some others have. Her writing becomes a part of who I am for as long as I'm reading the book and then part of her lingers forever after. I read this book many years ago and remember thoroughly enjoying it. But about six months ago I picked it up again and read it in one sitting. The characters stirred me.

Lamott can do more with her imperfect characters than most authors can do with their flawless characters. Every character has a voice in this book and every character has a heart-wrenching reason they are as they are.

This book speeds along all the while making you feel like you are suspended in time and taking a long walk through life with friends.

Both times I read this book it managed to leave me with the feeling of something unfinished and something accomplished.

[Doreen Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I approached this book with trepidation -- not usually liking books written about horrible childhoods. The title character's father was killed in an accident, and her mother is an alcoholic, and so the summary described Rosie as a precocious 9-year-old who is basically raising herself. But Lamott is such an excellent writer, I was very quickly absorbed into both the writing AND the characters. Rosie is indeed precocious, and her mother Elizabeth appreciates her and interacts with her - there is some delightful dialog between them. And although Elizabeth is managing not to recognize her alcoholism, we come to see that Rosie is ashamed of her sometimes, and she tries to protect her from potential criticism or exposure to people outside the family. The other characters (Elizabeth's best friend Rae, her boyfriend James, and Rosie's best friend Sharon)are equally well-drawn and multi-layered. Lamott's descriptions of Rosie's and Sharon's days spent away from their homes, entertaining themselves, took me back to my own childhood spent playing outside. She perfectly captures the imagination and gumption of kids figuring out what to do. Lamott's own history with alcoholism was evident in her descriptions of Elizabeth's denial and eventual struggle. I'm wondering whether future book club gatherings will be without alcohol -- I wonder if others who read this for book club found themselves wondering about how our meetings have journeyed more towards the party and away from the appreciation of the books we read.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time about 10 years ago, when I first discovered Anne LaMott. I love LaMott's sense of humor, remember loving this book and its sequel--Crooked Little Hearts--so when I found out she'd written a third novel about Rosie, her mother, Elizabeth, and step-father James, I decided to re-read Rosie before tackling it. It makes you wish you had been as hilariously precocious as Rosie when you were 8. One of my favorite passages comes near the end:


Later, Grace would say, "Oh, but you weren't a real alcoholic," and Elizabeth would simply shrug. She and James had been going to Alcoholics Anonymous now for six months, to meetings almost every night, one hard day at a time. When, at the end of the first meeting, everyone had joined hands to say the Lord's Prayer, Elizabeth could not remember all the words. She was still resisting; the meetings were hokey and moving, and although the room reeked of miracles, she couldn't bring herself to fall for "God."
"God is just a word," said James. "It means truth, and you know, the truth shall set you free."
"Yeah?"
"To face and tell and love the truth is what they mean by 'God.'"
"What they mean," said Rae, "is love. Don't let the word get in your way. It's just a convenience. All that God means is love, God is love and love is God."
"Don't beam at me like that."
"Wull, see," said Rosie. "It's like when you're totally happy, and everything seems so beautiful that you just go '*God.*'

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

CAUTION review contains spoilers!! In many ways, I loved this book. But in many ways, I didn't like it. Lamott is a good writer. She is not the greatest novelist on the planet, but "Rosie" is what I might call a good modern novel, when a lot of modern novels today are junk. Lamott portrays life the way it is, even when we don't like what life really is. Her style of narrative often mirrored well the way that we take in the world--through senses. She is a sensory writer, and I loved her descriptions of objects, people, and places. She developed characters brilliantly. I had such strong perceptions of every character of the novel, and I connected with each of them, felt like they could be real people. The dialogue she writes also felt very real to me. And she does a fabulous job of incorporating thought process in between dialogue. She (for the most part...) shows, rather than tells. But, on this note, I did NOT like the beginning. After finishing the novel I went back and read it again, and found it distant, general, and summary-like. She summarizes Elizabeth through the perspective of the town-people, who don't actually matter very much for the rest of the story. And the information this provides doesn't feel necessary or relevant to who Elizabeth really is. The style of narration in the beginning doesn't resemble the rest of the novel, for me, and I don't like it at all. I also found the ending strange and abrupt.

First of all, with the ending, she marries the guy! Even though he cheats! She has a suspicion that he cheats on her, but doesn't investigate it, and marries him! I don't like what this communicates to the reader. Maybe it's realistic--yeah, guys cheat and we marry them anyway and put up with it a lot of times--but it felt like she was just marrying him because she was too terrified to be alone again. Lamott couldn't imagine breaking them up. James already wasn't a perfect guy to Elizabeth, I don't understand why Lamott felt that she had to write James as a cheater. I think this communicates a VERY damaging message to women reading the book. It's also inconsistent with the novel. Elizabeth counsels Rae through getting over her ex-boyfriend Brian, who is also manipulative and a cheater. So, if Elizabeth knows it's wrong (and perhaps Lamott as well...), WHY is it suddenly okay for her to be with a guy who will turn out to be a Brian later down the road? Not good, Lamott. Not good.

And another thing. The alcoholism. Throughout the novel, everyone is commenting on what a great mother Elizabeth is. Yes, she loves her daughter extraordinarily, and Rosie is wonderful and perfect, but Elizabeth is an alcoholic who is dependent on her daughter for happiness and stabilization! In real life, an alcoholic mother would have damaged Rosie and the relationship between mother and daughter more than what is portrayed in the book, I think. Also, this especially bothers me, Elizabeth doesn't even quit drinking on her own. She goes YEARS telling herself that she'll quit, and then doesn't. She can't quit drinking for Rosie's sake. She "tries." She doesn't. She needs James in order to quit. She needs him also quitting with her, before she can finally do it. I would have been more impressed with Elizabeth's true love for her daughter if she could have done it by her own will and strength.

And, she never gets a job. Great. The lady goes nearly her whole life not working, being miserable by not working, and then finally gaining "happiness" because she has a man again to fill up her time. What a great example that sets for readers. And what a great, strong, finish to the novel (NOT!).

Felt like this book ended with too many loose ends, or "ends" that I didn't like. But it's not just that I personally didn't prefer them, it's that I believe novels are supposed to teach us something about life that will improve us and help us become better people. If what I'm supposed to learn from this novel is that you can't quit alcoholism without someone to carry you through it, and that you need a man in order to be happy, and you can still raise a happy, fulfilled, brilliant child while being an alcoholic, and that it's okay to be lazy and sit around your house all day not working and sponging off other people's money, then fine. If this is the case, I will openly say: Anne Lamott, I don't agree with you and I don't like your book. But, granted, she can sure describe a child's perspective on the world in a way that is more amazing, beautiful, and accurate than I would have ever though possible. Kudos for that. I would like to have a conversation with Lamott. Maybe then I could work through the things I disagreed with about the novel.

[Stephanie Barko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Lamott is my favorite contemporary author, so I am treating myself to her debut novel as my first read of the summer. In chapter one, I sense that I've met Rosie and her mom in one of Lamott's later novels, so I'm keen to read the prequel.

I marvel at Lamott's dark humor expressed in compound adjectives, like this one describing Rosie, a third grader "as frail, feverish, and ethereal in her white flannel nightie as a pre-tubercular Dickensian orphan."

Elizabeth, Rosie's mom, "stood navigating a garlic sausage flotilla through boiling water with a wooden fork, listening to the radio" when Elizabeth proclaims that she will quit drinking "right now.
Why not?"

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rosie is one of Lamott's earlier novels. It's honest in its presentation of characters and their flaws. Elizabeth, the main character, is kind of detached from life; she has no direction or desire. When she get's pregnant with Rosie, at first she wants to get rid of the child via an abortion, but decides to keep her.This changes Elizabeth's life. Rosie is the key to her existence and as Elizabeth raises her, she gains purpose, a reason to exist.

Lamott throws several situations at her characters as the story line unfolds. I do not want to spoil the story, so read it and you'll see the various things that Elizabeth and Rosie must overcome together.

Lamott's prose is heartbeat steady. She is heavy on the dialogue but in such a way that it is used as narrative as well as dialogue. When you read this story, do not expect "great moments." What I mean is that there is no real climax or huge conflict to the story, just a steady telling. The characters are endearing, and sometimes aggravate the reader, but are real and easy to relate to. This novel is a solid read.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read Anne Lamott so I will quit getting her name mixed up with those of other authors named Anne or Annie or Ann (Lindbergh? Dillard? Patchett?). I don't know why I have this brain filing system thing--Austria/Australia--good thing I have Goodreads. Anyway, this is Anne Lamott's first novel, and I hope not her best. It was fine, I enjoyed it, it was easy to read and had some interesting and funny and well-done parts. Some issues did not get resolved--the author shirked her duty; what kind of editor lets her get away with that?

[Debbie "DJ" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Lamott has such a powerful way of connecting us to her characters. This book was full of quirky characters, and I loved the way she pulled me into each of their lives. The main character, Rosie, is a nine year old girl who is wildly funny, precocious, and must adapt to many loses in her life. This book had me laughing one moment and crying the next. For a rather short book, this one is packed with much human experience. I loved it.

[Rachel | All the RAD Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first fictional read from Anne, and it absolutely captivated me from start to finish. I read it in an afternoon, unable to pull myself away from the characters and this incredibly well-written story. This family is not at all traditional and they don't have things together by any means, but they make you love them and get invested in them as they grow.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and painful story with some bumpy twists and turns. Characters are diverse yet similar, full and vibrant… all of them are just trying to figure it out. Nicely written. Looking forward to the sequel.

[Heidi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed Lamott's nonfiction and memoirs (Traveling Mercies, Plan B, Stitches, Help Thanks Wow) but the only reason I even finished this book was: it was very short and I was home alone for the day. The main character (Elizabeth) was someone I could empathize with only in small ways; for the most part, she was pitifully self-centered and aimless, her daughter Rosie being the only thing in the entire world that could make her actually come alive. Plus her excessive drinking and constant broken resolutions were wearying after a while. Then finally in the last two chapters of the book, she gets her happy ending. It just was not believable. The daughter Rosie, was an engaging character, but did not have the level of innocence I would think most young girls that age have. My favorite characters were Rae and James - they were gold. Perhaps if they had been the main characters, this book would have been more rewarding.
Additionally, the level of profanity and crude descriptions were distasteful. I would highly recommend reading Lamott's other books, but skipping this one altogether.

[Geoff Young · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gave up halfway through this one. I adore Lamott's nonfiction works, and I realize this was only her second novel, but nothing clicked for me.

Characters failed to capture my imagination, voices were indistinct from one another, situations lacked intrigue, the protagonist neither spoke nor acted like the little girl she was supposed to be. Even Lamott's trademark sharp wit and crisp prose style never surfaced.

Maybe the second half of the story is better. I lack the patience to find out one way or another and will stick to her wonderful essays instead.

[Stopped reading 8/6/15 on page 137 of 275.]

[Beth Heggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Ann Lamott. She really brings her characters to life. She can write a book with very little story line, but I still can't put it down.At first I didn't realize there are two more books in this series but now I have to read the next one.. Maybe one of my fav authors, kind of like Anne Tyler.

[Cris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am interested in characters that battle addiction. I found this story slow and rambling but I was still interested. Then she sprang a false plot point, coming from nowhere and going nowhere and tarnishing the narration that preceded it. It is clumsy and I resented it. I might read Lamott in the future in the hopes her plot is richer and she does not resort to sensationalize.

[Indra Salazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anything by Anne Lamott is amazing but I am rereading this one because the third book came out recently.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rich alcoholic widow--who does not work--whines, gardens, and makes elaborate meals and is mean to the nice man who, for some reason, loves her.

[Amy]

Lamott’s fiction can do a number on me, it’s mysterious.

[Talya Boerner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I snagged Rosie at Dickson Street Used Books—I scored two Anne Lamott books in fact. I love her non-fiction, but this was my first foray into her fiction.

Rosie was written in the 1980s, and in that way, it felt nostalgic to me.

Elizabeth, the main character (and Rosie’s mom), is an alcoholic widow who has never had a real job, cooks fabulous meals, and mostly whines about finding her true life purpose. Her precocious child, Rosie, is basically raising herself. Smartly written with sharp dialog, this quick read provides lots of emotion including both unhappiness and joy. There were a few ugly and uncomfortable things that happened in the story, things I could have done without. Even so, a book written by Anne Lamott is one I will pick up every single time.

Favorite Quote: There’s something great and useful I could be doing, and that I don’t know what it is hangs over me like some major errand I know I’m meant to do.

[Samane · Rating 2 out of 5]

_مي خوام بدونم احساس واقعي تو نسبت به مردها چيه؟
_خيلي خب.. بخشي از وجودم ازشون متنفره و ازشون مي ترسه. اونا تو تمام اين سال ها باعث رنج و ناراحتي تو زندگي من يا حتي دوستام شدن. خيلي وقت ها از دست شون شرمنده و سرافكنده شدم. همش سعي مي كنن خودشون رو به رخ بكشن، قابليت هاشون رو هم همين طور. به طرز احمقانه اي هم همه شون قابل پيش بيني اند. اين چيزا رو واسه نوشته ها مي خواي؟

[Hiba Alhudhud · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow what an underrated banger. i love problematic female protagonists with all my heart. this book is js so real i love love love. the only issue is they wouldn’t stop talking abt how big elizabeth’s breasts were. literally every twenty pages without fail it was mentioned. other than that though, phenomenal and funny and beautiful.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really lovely little novel. Fell in love with the characters almost immediately. Lammot is so good at inserting tastes of laugh out loud humor in the midst of heartbreak. Really glad I happened upon this book.

[Jen Surname · Rating 1 out of 5]

I decided to be kind to myself and quit this one. The characters didn’t at any time hold my interest, it was wordy with no obvious reason, and there didn’t actually seem to be a story in here. So I quit.

[kutingtin · Rating 2 out of 5]

uhoh.. ithink ilike anne lammot’s non fiction than her novels? but maybe if i read a more latest one? still hoping this would change my mind. Trigger warning nalang po sa mga magbbasa nito, we have alcoholism, drugs and childe abuse. Dint expect it to spiral into pretty dark chapters buti nalang na save nung epilogue. In the end, this still shows us the power of family and forgiveness, the loving strength and protection of a mom and the redemption and joy they get from their children.

[Holly Shacklett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book for a while. I didn't like that the "event" took place toward the end.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was really beautiful. The story of a normal life. Lamont does a perfect job of straddling the line between thoughtful and flippant. She takes her characters’ small joys and pains seriously - without ever taking herself TOO seriously. It is masterfully done.

[Valerie Stephan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Protagonist Elizabeth doesn't have much to recommend her outside her imperfect devotion to her daughter. She's a wealthy self saboteur, an alcoholic woman of leisure who chastises herself but still continues to drink & drive and through chance avoids serious damage to her child. She pities her friend Rae's dependence on men, but quickly adopts Rae's attitude when she meets James-- ignoring her instincts and his demeaning behavior.

I enjoy Anne Lamott's non-fiction and this was my first fiction foray from her. Unfortunately, I didn't much like it. The book seemed choppy, and the ending seemed rushed, disconnected, and a little too neatly tied up in a bow.

[katie gelshenen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled to get through this book. I think the writing and character building is wonderful, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I struggled to understand the point of the story, the “arch” was very lose. Nonetheless it was a beautiful exploration of some interesting humans.

[Maggie Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read to warm you up through the winter (or get you through those midnight feeds with a newborn).

[Lisa Rosman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lamott's novels are irresistible--confiding and acutely, drily observed. I wish she still wrote fiction. There's a self-indulgence to the darkness sometimes--it's addict-think--but still so smart and oddly cozy.