Attic of Dreams: a Memoir

by Marilyn Webb Neagley

A lyrical memoir that begins in a quiet Vermont village with memories of Marilyn's parents, who own a popular restaurant and lively night spot that sits next to their home. While her mother disappears into addiction, Marilyn grapples with feelings of abandonment, though she recalls being uplifted by the village, by her dreams, and by the kindness of others.
In young adulthood, she lands on a beautiful estate known as Shelburne Farms, where she helps to launch valuable movements for the local food and farmers' markets, outdoor childhood education, and the stewardship of natural resources. But her work is not without cost to her personal life. She discovers that her interest in protecting the outer world begins to heal her inner self. The two are deeply intertwined.
Attic of Dreams examines family dysfunction while humor counters tragedy, and forgiveness counters blame. Trust and love emerge as the journey home to wholeness continues.

288 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2023

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Attic of Dreams is the story of overcoming the turbulent lifestyle of an alcoholic household. While she could have easily fallen into this disruptive pattern, Marilyn manages to remain sober and reach for her dreams.

Life isn’t easy. She often found herself spending time with relatives when her mother was confined to addiction treatment facilities. While she loved her mother, she never knew any physical affection from her. Nagging doubts about her ability to be a good wife and mother made her afraid to commit to permanent relationships. Instead, Mrs. Neagley spends a large part of her life devoted to causes for the greater good. Her efforts gave her the opportunity to travel and to meet others who were working toward a similar goal.

This story is not told in your traditional chapter by chapter format. It is, instead, written more as a series of short vignettes detailing episodes of her life. I admit that it seemed disjointed at first, but once I adjusted to her train of thought and writing pattern, the individual units seemed to flow more freely.

I admire the author for her tenacity to move forward. She shared her marriage – both the good and bad, even accepting part of the blame when the first two did not work out. She gives credit to those who have been (and others who still are) a part of her life.

I received an advance copy of this book from Rootstock Publishing through the Early Reviewers at LibraryThing. No promise was made or requested of a positive review. However, I found that Marilyn Neagley has an interesting story to share with her readers.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been struggling through Attic of Dreams: A Memoir by Marilyn Webb Nagley. The author is two months younger than me. It made me depressed. The author needed someone to step in and be an advocate for her. What a terrible childhood Marilyn had with an alcoholic mother who started drinking when Marilyn was four.

As a child, she had to find adults when she found her mother unconscious several times. Her father would go off on business and she was left alone with her mother, when her mother got delirium tremors, her father and a doctor put her in a state mental hospital several times. Her father wants to fill for divorce and the little girl wonders what will become of me. There are happy times in the book but they are too few. I think that book does really bring to light the need to take care of the children of alcoholics. Many times, she wondered if she was dead. Her father needed help and his daughter lost a lot of her childhood. The book really depressed me but did make me realize the great need for genuine support for children of all ages with alcoholic parents. As her ad became an alcoholic too. It was no wonder that she wanted to stay with her friends' family than be with her own.

The second part of the book was about her life in college and seeking a career, I lost interest often and started to skim. She married three times and I had to backtrack looking for a transition from the second husband to the third. I would have liked the book better if the author only wrote about her tragic childhood and then made an argument for help for children with alcoholic parents.

[Andrea George · Rating 2 out of 5]

The synopsis of "Attic of Dreams: A Memoir" by Marilyn Webb Neagley sounded interesting enough. However, the actual read just wasn't a memoir that I thoroughly enjoyed. I did appreciate the short chapters, which made it easier to follow. Ms. Neagley did have a troubled childhood, and her adult life did have its share of ups and downs. I felt that the memoir would be more helpful and thought provoking if more of Ms. Neagley's thoughts and feelings had been included.I had a hard time getting through this memoir and honestly didn't get anything out of it, other than snippets of her life thus far. Perhaps tourists visiting Shelburne Farms will appreciate it more.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started this book I thought I would probably not finish it. However, after just my first short session I was hooked. This lady has had a great variety of experiences for one lifetime. She can be commended for surviving a hard childhood with alcoholic parents. Then going on to, almost single handed, save a historic property. Give this book look and you will soon be hooked.

[Samantha Kolber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Disclosure: I am the publisher, but I very much enjoy this memoir and think other readers who like lyrical prose and stories of resilience, troubled childhood, independence, following dreams, and growing into one's own power will also like this book.

[Melabee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting history of her life and the beginnings of Shelburne Farms. How she worked through childhood pain was inspiring.