Feisty: A Memoir in Little Pieces

by Jean Peelen

Feisty is the story of a woman with attitude—told in short reflections that capture a life of awakening activism. From her exploits as a five-year-old New Jersey cowboy, to hosting Gloria Steinem in Alabama, to an awkward drink with a young Clarence Thomas, Jean Peelen shares her civil rights journey and the most vulnerable moments in her life. This book is funny and sad, deep and wide. Feisty shines a light on what is possible when a woman rejects the roles she is expected to fulfill and finds her own path.

Genres: Memoir

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2023

Reviews

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book offered for sale in a shop in NC, and then met the author outside. Very personable, and enjoyed talking to her. I liked reading the snippets from various times during her life. Left me wanting to know more about the author, and to find out more about what happened.

Guess I'll have to befriend her so we can swap stories!

[Linda Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful from the go. This may be the perfect format for a memoir. Choose the slices of life that had the most impact in your life and keep it short. Honors the reader who can empathize on small pieces of important information, and gives us a look at the map of a journey we can visualize. The light touch softens the weight of painful events. The cover is epic! I loved this book.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Jean Peelen on social media. Her memoir is enlightening and entertaining. I find it discouraging that, in her lifetime, she's had to "wave the signs" so many times and continues to speak out about the inequality of rights. I'm thankful, too, Jean continues to stand up against oppression. I hope to read about her next decade. Short, easy to read chapters.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome book

Jean presents her life in short tidbits that keep you wanting more. Highlights the highs and the lows of a life set on pushing the limits. A life of learning, pushing forward, trying the new, and wanting the impossible. Well worth reading.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author as a local bookstore owner with no expectation of writing a review.

Feisty: a memoir in little pieces is a whirlwind read in easily digestible pieces spanning 77 years! Despite the number of years covered, the timeline never gets confusing. The year and Jean’s age are at the beginning of each section, giving context and making the book extra readable as well as enjoyable.

It is a sacred thing to be invited into someone else’s life experiences through memoir. While reading this book I laughed aloud more times than I bothered to count, I despaired, I felt elated, and I finished the book feeling inspired!

Jean brought her life and memories alive in this book and it was an absolute joy to read.

From her childhood memories of the 1940s to having her babies in the 1960s to becoming an activist and law student in the 1970s on through the years until the present of 2023, Jean Peelen effectively draws us into her memories:

*Having a beer with Clarence Thomas.
*One of the most interesting tattoo stories I have ever heard.
*The challenges of having aging parents and an ever-aging body of one’s own.
*Running for office to save a island.
*Surviving a pandemic and watching politics go backwards.
*Finding a purpose, fighting for freedom.
*And there is so much more than I listed above, those were just the bits that really grabbed my attention!

The snippets-style of Feisty is particularly well-suited to memoir because isn’t that how memories often are? Snippets, fragments, bits and pieces, all coming together to form a coherent lifetime of pain, joy, confusion, certainty… all the ways things change and the ways things stay the same.

In amongst sharing her own story, Jean imparts to the reader the vital importance of writing or telling OUR stories, even if it’s just for ourself.

We all have a completely unique life story and Jean’s story is incredibly lovely to read! Basically, I liked it very much and I think that most adults would also enjoy reading her memories. 🙂

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found out about this book on TikTok. The author of this memoir is also a content creator there. Jean, the author, is in her mid-80s, and she is definitely feisty! The book is very short, and it is made up of many very short chapters. Each of the short chapters encapsulates an event Beginning in her childhood. Jean is a very accomplished woman. After getting a divorce, and having two daughters, she went to university and law school. She then worked in the department of education advocating for civil rights in schools. Her “big boss” was Clarence Thomas. I just found her life to be quite fascinating, and I enjoyed her summary immensely.

[Alison Acheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is truly an amazing story of a life fully lived through times--times of pushing to make wrongs right. Or at least try. There's a sense that individuals CAN make a difference, especially when they know their own self and listen. When they pay attention. And that's something I need to hear now and then.
Jean Peelen has "paid attention" not only to her self but to those around her--their stories, their needs. And she does it with such grace and care and a ready laugh. I am grateful she has documented her path. With joy.

[Cm1988 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been in a reading slump lately. I mostly read fiction and have been trudging through story after story of immature FMCs who act like they're about 15 years old when they're supposed to be in their mid 20s. It was getting tedious and causing me to not want to read much anymore.

Then I read this book! Even though it's non-fiction, it broke through my reading slump and presented the story of a woman at every age. We get small snippets of her life that come together to form a story of growth and maturity. I can't wait to read more from Jean Peelen!

[Veronica Skidmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cried and Laughed but mostly Laughed

I loved the journey, the many facets of a life that is STILL being lived, the way this multi-talented woman drew me in and kept me riveted. I read this in one sitting. Damn sleep, I'll do that when I'm dead. I will recommend this fast paced read to whomever will listen.

[Jessica McDonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely everything I wanted it to be it was easy because the chapters were short but it was full of depth to the point where in some parts I'm laughing and others I'm crying she also talks about such important things she was part of the civil Rights movement second wave feminism who could read this and not be inspired truly

[Kim M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing, wonderful book! I first saw Jean on TikTok & instantly looked up to her & wanted to meet her. She is a bright light in this world!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book,what a life!

[Mugi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt, inspirational, essential. I can’t overstate how wonderful this book is. Jean Peelen’s story is amazing and yet very easy to relate to. Can’t recommend Feisty enough!