A Good Place to Live: A Girl Comes of Age in the Rural Midwest

by Delores Swigert Sullivan

288 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2025

Reviews

[De Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Place to Live is a brave and honest recounting of the hidden details of Delores Swigert Sullivan’s life. Some of the obstacles she faced growing up in this rural community may make the reader uncomfortable. Sharing these private moments serves to magnify the drastic changes in societal mores from the 1950’s to today. Her recollection of particular products, styles, and music pulls the reader back into that era with her. This personal history is a powerful and poignant story of survival and success.

[Paula Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because I worked in the field of adoption for many years, I was very interested in Delores Sullivan's story. I appreciated her honesty when recalling her memories of both the good times and the bad times of her childhood and how those experiences influenced her life decisions. Her time in the maternity home was especially interesting to me. She was able to access the sewing machine at odd hours and successfully made a stylish outfit to wear home. She also managed to maintain friendships with some of the other girls even when it was discouraged. When I finished the book I found myself curious about her adult life. I wanted to know more about her careers as a model, a nurse, mental health therapist and a prominent national adoption activist. How and why did she make those choices and transitions? I also wanted to know more about her marriages, children and of course her reunion with her adult adopted son. I hope she writes a 2nd book!

[Cathyg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story with a lot of heartache. A survivor! I can relate to the times since we are of similar age, and the author references a lot of events and music of the era which I remember.