What do you think?
Rate this book
Mama Said "a Memoir"
Growing up in rural South Carolina in the 1950's and 60's.
114 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2012
9 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Peggy McClain-Barr
1 book2 followers My memory and the details of these stories are still very vivid in my mind. People seem not to believe that, but it is true. The stories may not be exactly as other family members and friends remember them but they are exactly as I remember them, and in detail.
I am really glad you enjoyed the stories. I actually wrote this book in 1994 when my first grandson was born. I wanted to write down the stories for him just in case I was not around to tell them. Mama died at age 53 so I was a little concerned I might not be here. He turned 18 this year. I am still here and making the most of this life I was given.
There are two books that influenced me to write my book and the first was "Winnie my Life in the Institution" by Jamie Pastor Bolnick the other is "A girl named Zippy". Both are written in the voices the little girls would have spoke. I am glad you got that I was shooting for my child voice. Some people think a grown up cannot write like a child speaks. It can be done.
I absolutely love memoirs. I read them all the time. The truth is when I was in school I could not read and comprehend what I had read. I could read the same thing over and over and not know what I had read. So I just read what I absolutely had to read. It was not until I was grown that I actually began reading and retaining what I read. Now I just love to read.
I am really glad you enjoyed the stories. I actually wrote this book in 1994 when my first grandson was born. I wanted to write down the stories for him just in case I was not around to tell them. Mama died at age 53 so I was a little concerned I might not be here. He turned 18 this year. I am still here and making the most of this life I was given.
There are two books that influenced me to write my book and the first was "Winnie my Life in the Institution" by Jamie Pastor Bolnick the other is "A girl named Zippy". Both are written in the voices the little girls would have spoke. I am glad you got that I was shooting for my child voice. Some people think a grown up cannot write like a child speaks. It can be done.
I absolutely love memoirs. I read them all the time. The truth is when I was in school I could not read and comprehend what I had read. I could read the same thing over and over and not know what I had read. So I just read what I absolutely had to read. It was not until I was grown that I actually began reading and retaining what I read. Now I just love to read.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 14, 2012
Once again Nena, a goodreads friend, comes through with a review selling me on another good book. The main character and author, Peggy, a tomboy, sounds a lot like me as a child. I can see us a good friends growing up together in a small town, looking for mischief and finding it. I agree with Nena that the only thing wrong with this book is the abrupt ending.
October 17, 2017
Love
Just a great book. I love reading memoirs. Reminds me of my youth. You won't be disappointed.. A great book.
Just a great book. I love reading memoirs. Reminds me of my youth. You won't be disappointed.. A great book.
December 9, 2012
Wow -- I'm not sure why I kept reading this 'book'. It clearly hadn't seen the hand of an editor, or even a proofreader. It's a collection of random thoughts, and stories from Peggy McClain-Barr's childhood in Rock Hill, SC. There really wasn't a rhyme or reason to the order the stories were told in. There was no thread to hold all the memories together. It was as if we were treated to snapshots of memories that randomly popped up in the author's head.
But given all that -- there is some value in these stories if I view them as folk stories about the experience of growing up in the 50's and 60's in South Carolina. The unvarnished (and unpolished) rememberances had a homely touch.
It was a free book on Kindle -- need I say more?
But given all that -- there is some value in these stories if I view them as folk stories about the experience of growing up in the 50's and 60's in South Carolina. The unvarnished (and unpolished) rememberances had a homely touch.
It was a free book on Kindle -- need I say more?
September 26, 2012
What an enjoyable read! This collection of short stories took me back to where I grew up not too far from the author behind our elementary school. We never had the same teachers so we must have met at recess playing tether ball. She brought back memories through her stories that I never knew I had! If I didn't get into some of the same mischief, I knew someone who did. This book is not for the literary snob but for those who really want to see modest Southern country living through the eyes of a child. Kudos, Peggy!! (BTW: I wasn't ready for it to end so abruptly, either).
November 9, 2012
I couldn't finish this book. I felt that there was no rhyme or reason to this book. It felt like a bunch of memories thrown down on paper.
April 11, 2019
Peggy I really enjoyed your book mainly because through dna research I’ve been doing over the past 2 yrs, I discovered that I am related to the Sexton kin that you spoke of. I’m still running into brick walls trying to figure out how many kids Calvin Sexton and his wife Mary had and who their grandchildren are so your book was fascinating to me! It was so great to connect with your memories of your childhood. I so want to hear more and see if I can piece together more of the missing puzzle pieces I have for the Sexton kin.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews