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Raising Wrenns: A Memoir
The only way people get out of Worcester is in a body bag, people used to say when Mal was growing up in the Main South neighborhood—crash-landing in house after house like true wrens, her family’s nutty avian namesake.
Raising Wrenns recounts her trips back to Worcester after the men in her family lost their lives; first her dad when he was shot, and later her brother who committed suicide jumping off a roof. On these trips she revisits the shoddy apartments they perched in, resurrecting her macabre, sometimes comical childhood memories of the streets where they fought bloody and birdlike for their survival.
The book is cordoned by fantastical and scientific stories comparing her family’s world and personality traits with those of wrens. It also contains a creative history of Worcester, a former factory town plagued by poverty, addiction, and violence—a cycle that Mal, unlike her brother and father, was able to escape.
Raising Wrenns recounts her trips back to Worcester after the men in her family lost their lives; first her dad when he was shot, and later her brother who committed suicide jumping off a roof. On these trips she revisits the shoddy apartments they perched in, resurrecting her macabre, sometimes comical childhood memories of the streets where they fought bloody and birdlike for their survival.
The book is cordoned by fantastical and scientific stories comparing her family’s world and personality traits with those of wrens. It also contains a creative history of Worcester, a former factory town plagued by poverty, addiction, and violence—a cycle that Mal, unlike her brother and father, was able to escape.
- GenresMemoir
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2024
28 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Mal Wrenn Corbin
1 book18 followersMal Wrenn Corbin was born in Worcester, MA and after a turbulent childhood, went on to be a first-generation college graduate of Dartmouth College. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree at Dartmouth, she went on to earn her Master of Education degree at Boston College.
Today, Mal works as a business development professional for a leading financial services firm.
Along with her husband and twenty-year-old son, she lives in Duxbury, a bedroom community nestled between Boston and Cape Cod, along the Massachusetts shoreline.
Today, Mal works as a business development professional for a leading financial services firm.
Along with her husband and twenty-year-old son, she lives in Duxbury, a bedroom community nestled between Boston and Cape Cod, along the Massachusetts shoreline.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 14, 2024
Absolutely phenomenal story. Thank you for sharing with the world! Its so inspiring!
February 2, 2024
Love myself a good memoir - or any book about family dynamics / family dysfunction for that matter ! Raising Wrenns was no exception. Something about how Mal tells a story and how she describes the settings and describes what she’s feeling at the moment just sucked me in so deeply. I felt like i was holding my breath during the whole time I read it - I felt close to tears for much of it and wished i could’ve reached out and hugged young Mal. It may be odd to feel so proud of someone you never met but that’s how I feel lol ! Good for you Mal for breaking the cycle , for defying odds and most importantly for being where you are today and being happy !! Thank you for sharing your story.
November 2, 2025
This was probably to most well written memoir I have ever read. This was written by a co-workers friend. She is from Massachusetts and even thought she grew up in a different city, I can definitely relate. I am honestly not even quite sure what to say, except she should think about going to schools and tell her story. If she can go through everything she did and still have the drive, determination and perseverance to succeed anyone can. She is a true inspiration!!
October 8, 2024
This was a moving and sometimes disturbing memoir. The author is articulate and the story is framed well. The chapters are a good length and the pacing was good.
I had trouble reading the section headings, as they were in a smaller font with less space between lines and weren’t adjustable in the BiblioBoard app. A second issue that detracted from the book was that multiple times a second person would be speaking within the same paragraph after another person spoke, which was extremely confusing. I think listening to this on audiobook would have been easier, maybe, because of these issues.
The story was depressing but ultimately uplifting and her story is overall quite compelling.
I had trouble reading the section headings, as they were in a smaller font with less space between lines and weren’t adjustable in the BiblioBoard app. A second issue that detracted from the book was that multiple times a second person would be speaking within the same paragraph after another person spoke, which was extremely confusing. I think listening to this on audiobook would have been easier, maybe, because of these issues.
The story was depressing but ultimately uplifting and her story is overall quite compelling.
April 6, 2024
I was interested in this book based on where she is from and I love a memoir. The clarity with which she recalled her childhood horrors, and triumphs, was intense. I was uncomfortable reading some stories - meaning I have the gift of a warm and safe childhood. To “get out” of Main South and accomplish what all Mal did is remarkable.
July 8, 2025
I decided to give this memoir a 4 because the issue I had was with the print style of the book and not the writing at all.
Mal Wrenn Corbin has taken a deep look inward about her childhood in Worcester, MA. She was the oldest of 3. Her parents were caught in the cycle of poverty and drug/alcholol use. Her memories are of moving from one apartment to another after evictions and scrambling for food for herself and her younger twin siblings.
She went into foster care and out. She was handed off to her mother's boyfriend due to her mother owing him money (that part totally destroyed me!). Her twin siblings were separated after foster care as her mother's sister adopted the female twin. Her brother had learning disabilities and couldn't handle any of it.
Mal was smart. She studied hard and viewed education as her way out. She had no control over many of the situations in which she found herself and did what she had to do to survive. My heart ached for that young Mal.
The author spends most of her memoir relating memories and situations up to her high school years and intersperses chapters with facts about the wren bird family. This type of approach I found fascinating and her analogy to her own family dynamics was a great dynamic. She moves from her focus on her formative years to the end of high school and beyond quickly. She goes to live with another aunt on her father's side who has financial security and lives away from Worcester. She's nominated for a scholarship to Dartmouth while in high school and is able to procure it. She graduates from Dartmouth, marries, has a son and goes to work.
As an adult she deals with the death of her brother Davy from a fall from a roof back in the drug infested projects of Worcester. She watches her father slowly die from paralysis after being shot at a bar. She tries to reestablish relationships with her sister. And she watches her mother fade away from a lifetime of drug addiction.
She now lives in Duxbury, MA with her second husband and teenaged son. She has a graduate degree and works for a corporation.
This memoir is tough to read but so many lessons can be learned from it. Does our upbringing determine who we are? How much do family bonds influence our lives? What does it mean when you never have a normal childhood?
I give Mal all the credit in the world, for her honest appraisal of her childhood and how it has affected her life so far.
Mal Wrenn Corbin has taken a deep look inward about her childhood in Worcester, MA. She was the oldest of 3. Her parents were caught in the cycle of poverty and drug/alcholol use. Her memories are of moving from one apartment to another after evictions and scrambling for food for herself and her younger twin siblings.
She went into foster care and out. She was handed off to her mother's boyfriend due to her mother owing him money (that part totally destroyed me!). Her twin siblings were separated after foster care as her mother's sister adopted the female twin. Her brother had learning disabilities and couldn't handle any of it.
Mal was smart. She studied hard and viewed education as her way out. She had no control over many of the situations in which she found herself and did what she had to do to survive. My heart ached for that young Mal.
The author spends most of her memoir relating memories and situations up to her high school years and intersperses chapters with facts about the wren bird family. This type of approach I found fascinating and her analogy to her own family dynamics was a great dynamic. She moves from her focus on her formative years to the end of high school and beyond quickly. She goes to live with another aunt on her father's side who has financial security and lives away from Worcester. She's nominated for a scholarship to Dartmouth while in high school and is able to procure it. She graduates from Dartmouth, marries, has a son and goes to work.
As an adult she deals with the death of her brother Davy from a fall from a roof back in the drug infested projects of Worcester. She watches her father slowly die from paralysis after being shot at a bar. She tries to reestablish relationships with her sister. And she watches her mother fade away from a lifetime of drug addiction.
She now lives in Duxbury, MA with her second husband and teenaged son. She has a graduate degree and works for a corporation.
This memoir is tough to read but so many lessons can be learned from it. Does our upbringing determine who we are? How much do family bonds influence our lives? What does it mean when you never have a normal childhood?
I give Mal all the credit in the world, for her honest appraisal of her childhood and how it has affected her life so far.
May 7, 2024
"Raising Wrenns: A Memoir" offers an honest, compelling, and deeply moving account of a family's journey in Worcester, Massachusetts. Through vivid prose, readers are drawn into the lives of the Wrenn family, feeling both heartache and inspiration in equal measure. While the challenges they face, including homelessness and navigating the foster care system, are starkly portrayed, the author's portrayal of the parents as flawed yet human prevents the narrative from descending into condemnation. Instead, it becomes a testament to resilience and the human capacity for triumph over adversity.
A unique aspect of the memoir is its incorporation of narratives about the wren, a bird that serves as a metaphor for the family's experiences. These interwoven tales add depth and poignancy to the narrative, enriching the reader's understanding of the Wrenns' journey.
One particularly memorable moment is when the author discusses her college course on the sense of place, a concept that resonates deeply throughout the memoir. This revelation prompts readers, like myself, to delve further into this intriguing topic, adding an additional layer of engagement to the reading experience.
Overall, "Raising Wrenns" is a captivating memoir that not only exposes the harsh realities of life but also celebrates the strength of the human spirit. It is a story that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page, inspiring them to contemplate the concept of resilience and the power of hope in the face of adversity.
A unique aspect of the memoir is its incorporation of narratives about the wren, a bird that serves as a metaphor for the family's experiences. These interwoven tales add depth and poignancy to the narrative, enriching the reader's understanding of the Wrenns' journey.
One particularly memorable moment is when the author discusses her college course on the sense of place, a concept that resonates deeply throughout the memoir. This revelation prompts readers, like myself, to delve further into this intriguing topic, adding an additional layer of engagement to the reading experience.
Overall, "Raising Wrenns" is a captivating memoir that not only exposes the harsh realities of life but also celebrates the strength of the human spirit. It is a story that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page, inspiring them to contemplate the concept of resilience and the power of hope in the face of adversity.
February 8, 2024
An integration between natural history and personal mythology
Raising Wrenns by Mal Wrenn Corbin is a memoir that captivates with its unique blend of personal narrative and the enchanting mythology surrounding wrens.
Corbin's storytelling draws readers into a world where the challenges of life are intertwined with moments of profound beauty and insight. The memoir is a journey through a life marked by resilience and transformation.
The author's ability to weave the characteristics and tales of wrens into her own life story adds a fascinating dimension to the memoir. This unique narrative device not only enriches the tale but also serves as a metaphor for the author's own experiences of growth, survival, and adaptation.
Raising Wrenns is a well-crafted memoir that balances the bitter with the sweet, the tragic with the inspirational. Corbin's writing is both candid and intensely emotional, capable of bringing readers to tears one moment and inspiring them in the next. It's the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit.
For anyone looking for a heart-opener memoir "Raising Wrenns" is a must-read. It is a beautiful journey of strength.
Raising Wrenns by Mal Wrenn Corbin is a memoir that captivates with its unique blend of personal narrative and the enchanting mythology surrounding wrens.
Corbin's storytelling draws readers into a world where the challenges of life are intertwined with moments of profound beauty and insight. The memoir is a journey through a life marked by resilience and transformation.
The author's ability to weave the characteristics and tales of wrens into her own life story adds a fascinating dimension to the memoir. This unique narrative device not only enriches the tale but also serves as a metaphor for the author's own experiences of growth, survival, and adaptation.
Raising Wrenns is a well-crafted memoir that balances the bitter with the sweet, the tragic with the inspirational. Corbin's writing is both candid and intensely emotional, capable of bringing readers to tears one moment and inspiring them in the next. It's the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit.
For anyone looking for a heart-opener memoir "Raising Wrenns" is a must-read. It is a beautiful journey of strength.
May 21, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ Thank you LibraryThing for the copy of Raising Wrenns!
“If you didn’t grow up with privilege, if you had to fight for it, that means you’ve earned it, that you deserve it, even more than those for whom it’s always been theirs.”
Highly reminiscent of Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and Educated by Tara Westover, Mal Wrenn Corbin explains her turbulent childhood year by year while weaving in metaphors and tales of the Wren bird. At times, the comparisons of a certain fact or tale of the Wren bird felt a bit disconnected in the current chapter, but I feel that it still connected at the end. Additionally, the beginning is a bit hard to get into as it jumps from the future to the past to the chapter(s) about Wrens, but it evened out and became easier to follow.
Mal Wrenn Corbin’s story is inspiring and raw. I appreciate her willingness to share such private things with the world. From my place of privilege, it’s hard for me to understand why or how a parent could put a child through such things, and I am in awe of her perseverance.
“If you didn’t grow up with privilege, if you had to fight for it, that means you’ve earned it, that you deserve it, even more than those for whom it’s always been theirs.”
Highly reminiscent of Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and Educated by Tara Westover, Mal Wrenn Corbin explains her turbulent childhood year by year while weaving in metaphors and tales of the Wren bird. At times, the comparisons of a certain fact or tale of the Wren bird felt a bit disconnected in the current chapter, but I feel that it still connected at the end. Additionally, the beginning is a bit hard to get into as it jumps from the future to the past to the chapter(s) about Wrens, but it evened out and became easier to follow.
Mal Wrenn Corbin’s story is inspiring and raw. I appreciate her willingness to share such private things with the world. From my place of privilege, it’s hard for me to understand why or how a parent could put a child through such things, and I am in awe of her perseverance.
December 11, 2024
Mal Wrenn Corbin’s story really pulled on my heart strings and stirred some familiar connections in me. I imagine that one of the goals of a good writer is to create connection, emotion, and relatability for a reader… the author really succeeded in all of the above with me! I “became friends with Mal” while listening to her memoir, yet have never met her and do not know her. Her story will stay with me. I highly recommended this book!
April 30, 2024
An amazing, touching story of grit and resilience. The system in Massachusetts at the time Mal was growing up was broken; my family experienced it first hand as a foster family. Mal’s story is raw and honest, which makes it difficult to read at times yet completely worth it.
June 1, 2024
This is SUCH a powerful memoir that needs to reach as many people as possible. Mal is a brilliant writer, sharing her difficult childhood story with both grit and grace. I hope she has other books in the works!
February 20, 2024
Beautiful debut book written by an even more beautiful person! I loved that the telling of her story wasn’t always linear, but rather jumped around chronologically. Honest and raw but also optimistic and hopeful. Breezed through it!
April 13, 2024
So beautifully written, I so enjoyed reading this book. An inspiring story of perseverance
May 19, 2024
So inspiring and brave Mal, I feel a part two is to come - to touch on the later part of your life…
May 19, 2024
Beautifully written. I couldn’t put the book down. I could only imagine the courage it took to write. Amazing!
September 18, 2024
Eye opening. Heart breaking. 5 stars.
December 1, 2024
Beautifully written memoir.
December 1, 2024
Wonderful book! I could not put it down. It’s beautifully written and thoughtful reflections about Mal’s difficult childhood in Worcester. It must have a difficult emotional process to write this book. Highly recommend this memoir!!
February 7, 2024
Mal, you’re are a true legend ❤️
Mal, we only met once when Karen introduced us. Your writing is amazing and your story is an example of love, devotion, and one of hope for all of humanity!
Mal, we only met once when Karen introduced us. Your writing is amazing and your story is an example of love, devotion, and one of hope for all of humanity!
July 17, 2024
A super poignant and heart wrenching memoir. Mal suffers an awful childhood of neglect and abuse while losing people that she loves. She doesn’t let the circumstances of her upbringing drag her down and instead fights her way out and into a successful marriage with a wonderful career. The writing is beautiful. I couldn’t put this book down.
June 15, 2024
This was an amazing book. I was living in Worcester at the same time (though under very different financial, living circumstances), raising my daughter who is a month older than Mal. It broke my heart. Thankfully she had the strength to survive, the luck to encounter people who in their own small ways helped. The book is well written, the interweaving her story with the information about wrens was interesting and fascinating.
January 29, 2024
Strap in, folks, because Raising Wrenns is a wild ride through the mean streets of Worcester. The book kicks off with a bang, literally, as Mal introduces us to her family's nutty avian namesake and the chaos of Main South. The hook is strong, and from there, it's a rollercoaster of memories and street antics that'll make your head spin. But here's the twist – amidst all the crazy, Mal weaves in fantastical and scientific stories about wrens, drawing hilarious parallels to her own family. From her dad's unfortunate shooting to her brother's rooftop antics, each chapter is a rollercoaster of emotions. The best part? Mal breaks the cycle of her family's struggles and takes readers on a journey of escape. Raising Wrenns is not just a memoir; it's a hilarious, heart-wrenching, and downright spunky ride that'll keep you hooked from start to finish.
January 30, 2024
Raising Wrenns takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the gritty streets of Worcester, offering a poignant memoir that intertwines the author's personal tragedies with the avian world of wrens. Mal skillfully navigates the harsh realities of her Main South neighborhood, where survival is a daily struggle. The story is laced with both macabre and comical anecdotes, drawing readers into the heart of her family's tumultuous history. As she revisits the shoddy apartments that once housed her loved ones, Mal shares a creative and scientific exploration of her family's world, comparing it to the fascinating traits of wrens. This memoir provides a unique perspective on overcoming adversity and escaping the cycle of poverty, addiction, and violence. I found myself captivated by the blend of personal anecdotes and insightful comparisons.
January 10, 2025
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤📔: Raising Wrenns: A Memoir
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫✍🏽: Mal Wrenn Corbin
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Memoir, Non-Fiction
𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 284
𝐏𝐮𝐛: January 31, 2024
𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲: Audio
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝙰͢𝚁͢𝙲͢
💕
If you Like:
🌸 Memoir
🌸 Dysfunctional
🌸 Raped
🌸 Survival
🌸 Rejection
🌸 Abuse
🌸 Non-Fiction
🌸 Strong Woman
🌸 Sense of place
🌸 Inspiring
💕
𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆'𝒔 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆:
Raising Wrenns, is a book that leaves the reader thoughtful, and in the feels. The author did a good job writing her experience and painting a vivid picture of her life. The Narrator did a wonderful job at narrating the story. The use of the comparison between the Wren birds and her family was a good symbol with all the facts blended into it.
Ꞇɑꮶɛɑᤐɑƴ:
We're not all privileged to have a life that's filled with no hardship, if you work hard to survive and to succeed, then you deserve the success and the good things of life. Survival is embedded into every pores that helps one overcome the past.
𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞: "I am my father's daughter. That's one thing about me. If you want me to do something, the best thing you can do, is tell me it's impossible." (chapter 32)
💕🌹𝓢𝓮𝓻𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓪 𝓡𝓸𝓼𝓮🌹💕.
Serlina Rose - Authoress
IG @SerlinaRoseBooks
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫✍🏽: Mal Wrenn Corbin
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Memoir, Non-Fiction
𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 284
𝐏𝐮𝐛: January 31, 2024
𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲: Audio
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝙰͢𝚁͢𝙲͢
💕
If you Like:
🌸 Memoir
🌸 Dysfunctional
🌸 Raped
🌸 Survival
🌸 Rejection
🌸 Abuse
🌸 Non-Fiction
🌸 Strong Woman
🌸 Sense of place
🌸 Inspiring
💕
𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆'𝒔 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆:
Raising Wrenns, is a book that leaves the reader thoughtful, and in the feels. The author did a good job writing her experience and painting a vivid picture of her life. The Narrator did a wonderful job at narrating the story. The use of the comparison between the Wren birds and her family was a good symbol with all the facts blended into it.
Ꞇɑꮶɛɑᤐɑƴ:
We're not all privileged to have a life that's filled with no hardship, if you work hard to survive and to succeed, then you deserve the success and the good things of life. Survival is embedded into every pores that helps one overcome the past.
𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞: "I am my father's daughter. That's one thing about me. If you want me to do something, the best thing you can do, is tell me it's impossible." (chapter 32)
💕🌹𝓢𝓮𝓻𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓪 𝓡𝓸𝓼𝓮🌹💕.
Serlina Rose - Authoress
IG @SerlinaRoseBooks
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews