Small Mediums at Large: The True Tale of a Family of Psychics

by Terry Iacuzzo

A practicing clairvoyant describes growing up in a colorful family of psychics in Buffalo, New York, profiling the diverse members of her extraordinary Sicilian family, their unusual talents, and their influence on her life and later career. Reprint.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Paranormal

368 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2004

Reviews

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terry Iacuzzo is apparently one of the big psychics to the stars (and to other VIPs), although of course we have to take her word for it because she refuses to reveal who she's done readings for. This book is mainly a memoir of childhood and early adulthood, and details her strained relationship with her brother Frank (who was/is also a famous psychic) and the rest of her family, who also possess uncanny abilities. It's a rather difficult memoir for a skeptic to read. On the one hand, it's absolutely fascinating, and Iacuzzo has lead a pretty strange and interesting life. On the other hand, since it's a memoir, there's a complete lack of outside confirmation that any of the events described actually occurred. Members of the family apparently make astounding predictions, but since these predictions are all related after the fact, there's no way of knowing how much things have been manipulated. There's also no account of the many predictions that never came true. Overall, too, this just isn't particularly well-written. Subjects are picked up and dropped; people in fascinating or dangerous situations are described and then never mentioned again. Much of the strange behavior of Terry's family is never explained, and Terry is strangely unforthcoming about a lot of her own emotional and personal development. The result is muddled and unsatisfying, somewhat, but also weird enough that it's still worth the read.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just because you have an interesting story to tell does not mean that you should write a memoir. In fact, even if your life isn't terribly above the norm or outside the box you still can write a memoir as long as you are proficient at expressing yourself using the written word.

I thought this book was pedestrian at time in the dialogue that Iacuzzo wrote and also in the way that she highlighted various remnants of her life without much introspection or connection to a larger picture. She may be a world-class psychic but in this book she does not display any of the attributes of an engaging or imaginative writer.

The one redeeming quality is her refusal to defend what she does and what she believes. She talks about a seance of trumpets during which mediums emit ectoplasm from their orifices and trumpets fly through the air projecting the voices of loved ones that have died. She does this unapologetically as if to say, "If you don't believe it that's fine but this is what I believe."

[Janet Leszl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Facinating title but I was disappointed by the content. I had hoped to read more insights into the psychic elements of her family life. Instaed a good deal revolved around promiscuity and drug use by a woman who for years seemed directionless.

[Amelia Rude · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up from a used bookstore based on title and cover alone. I'm so glad that I did. This is an incredible coming-of-age story that explores the life of Terry Iacuzzo, a real-life psychic to the stars. I approach the topic of psychics with a lot of skepticism, but the vast majority of the book does not seem very "woo woo." Terry approaches the magical elements of her life with a very down-to-earth, relatable tone, and her discovery of her powers is woven well into the plot line of the book. I enjoyed reading about Terry's experimentation in her youth and could relate to her desire for more. The end starts to deal with spirits and with peoples' bodies being overtaken by spiritual entities who speak through them. At this point, I felt like I was reading magical realism rather than a nonfiction book. Luckily, I'm a fan of magical realism, and I didn't mind some mysticism in a memoir. If you like reading magical realism or coming-of-age stories, this is a good transition into nonfiction. I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did, but I'd certainly read it again. Bonus points for having queer 'characters.' :)

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I never knew the life a psychic lives. This was a great read, well written and the end is an unexpected page turner. A true story based on New York, the author still working as a professional psychic today. I do not want my future told, sometimes they get it right but they are only human and can get it wrong too. Plus free will can change everything. I stick to my gut feeling and learn from the good and the bad. I do recommend this book of you want to see into the daily life and journey of the psychic.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

everyone read this book. no further questions.

[Lauren Glaude · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A great story of her life. Not an easy life for sure but well told and very interesting.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. I think I read it quicker than any book with a substantial amount of pages and text. I think it was because I just had to know what happened next. I couldn't go on with my life not knowing what Iacuzzo was going to share with me, whether it was another psychic vision, or hopeless sense of defeat, or underlying family drama. It's difficult to come across esoteric books that are told almost like fiction but are a true account, they often present themselves as textbooks. I like how it was about her life and how even though she is psychic all of her problems weren't solved as a result. I related to her story a lot and I liked that each part of her life was defined by passion and empathy. It's very admirable.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was awesome and I really enjoyed it. Some of the things that happened to Teresa while growing up are very disturbing. But she finally comes into her own and relaxes and becomes a great phychic. Amazing to think the entire family are phychic. It saddened me that they didn't have a better relationship with one another. They all seemed to be solo throughout their lives. It would be amazing to have a reading from Terry Iacuzzo. But maybe scary to think what she may have to tell me about my future. I believe Terry to be the real deal!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I could NOT stop reading this book. Seriously, I read it in one day. The writing (obviously) flowed smoothly and quickly, and the author has a fascinating life (to me, at least).

Some parts are really creepy, some make you laugh out loud. I'm so glad she finally found her calling as a psychic; sometimes it was so obvious as she struggled with different things to do with her gift you wanted to yell at her, "are you a psychic or not?!" and throw the book across the room.

Loved it.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. A good read. I think this book is a good book for any one who is a skeptic of psychics. The author is so normal/down to earth/relatable that you can't help but trust the story and trust her. It's also a great picture of NY in the 70s. I'm not sure what I expected when I picked the book up, but it's a great tale of an interesting life --well up until her 20s. Definitely worth a read.

[Jen3n · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up off the floor at my boyfriend's brother's house and ended-up taking it home with me after flipping through the first few pages.

I should have left it at that.

Not particularly recomended.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the synopsis and some of the reviews, I did not expect to like this book as well as I did. A lot of the story is about the author growing up in NYC in the 70's.
The author is a great storyteller and I'm sad the story had to end.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I stopped at page 200. Writing is decent but the story was not as advertised.
Sad because the author’s brother is so interesting in interviews / You Tube videos but he (Frank Andrews)doesn’t want to write a book .

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really made me want to visit a psychic...

[Debdanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

don't know whether i believe this or not, but it was still an interesting/thought provoking book.

[Teri Kman · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read! You will be transported to a very revealing memoir of a girl who grew up in a family of psychics.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts off really good, but then gets slow

[Jasmine]

recommended to me by my aunt...she said it reminded her of me...kinda cool i guess
if i was psychic I woulda known...

still want to be

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books. Nonstop entertainment.

[Eudaimonia Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovin' it so far!

[Sue]

Awesome book!!

[Sabrina Rutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It's a great read, but definantly not good for a skeptic.

[Vikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A true story of a family of psychics. Her brother is Frank Andrew, a famous psychic in NYC. Very interesting. Wild!

[Darla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing, mostly about drugs and sexual preferences. Skip it.

[Unigami · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful book...highly enjoyed reading it and I highly recommend it.

[Cathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting coming-of-age story of a very original woman.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the hands of a skilled writer, Terry's story would have been engrossing. But there is no denying that she has lived a fascinating, if sometimes very disturbing, life.

[Jennifer Alm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious....her deadpan humor had me cracking up every few pages. Thats a good book! Seriously funny, but serious at the same time.

[Mary Montori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This about a crazy life and crazy family in a strange method of getting into her head and leaping through disparate topics.