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Pretty Things Don't Break: A Memoir
Lauren saw too much and grew up too fast. Her Mother was a beautiful narcissist, her Father a charming monster and her grandfather a famous Vegas Mafioso. As a small child, she grew up in her parents' topless jazz club in Sydney, Australia. She came of age in the Seattle grunge scene. Lauren's life was a chaos-filled roller coaster ride- she had to deal with abandonment, feelings of self-loathing and a debilitating eating disorder. What she yearned for the most- peace, stability and love- seemed like impossible dreams.
Pretty Things Don't Break is a captivating memoir that transports you into Lauren's turbulent, larger than life world. Suffer with her as she battles to overcome the challenges created by her dysfunctional family. Rejoice with her as she finds in her close-knit group of friends all of compassion and love she'd been missing. Lauren's journey teaches us that, despite any negativity and turbulence that we may be born into, through faith, internal strength and great determination we can become free, happy and healthy human beings.
Pretty Things Don't Break is a captivating memoir that transports you into Lauren's turbulent, larger than life world. Suffer with her as she battles to overcome the challenges created by her dysfunctional family. Rejoice with her as she finds in her close-knit group of friends all of compassion and love she'd been missing. Lauren's journey teaches us that, despite any negativity and turbulence that we may be born into, through faith, internal strength and great determination we can become free, happy and healthy human beings.
- GenresNonfictionBiography
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2017
106 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 9, 2017
I was unable to finish this book. The author jumps from one anecdote to another, simply reciting events from her life. The timeline is often confusing and difficult to follow. The characters are not fully developed, leaving the reader questioning their motivations, actions, and reactions. A lot of the story doesn't make sense.
April 11, 2017
I was immediately pulled into this memoir, sensing the sights, smells, people, and feelings Lauren was experiencing. Her style of writing keeps it interesting the whole way through. Definitely one of the most descriptive authors I've come across. So inspiring. Highly recommend this book!
October 6, 2016
I could not put down Lauren Jayne's memoir. Even though some parts were hard to read because they were hard for the author to experience, she wrote the details of her life, even the hard parts, with grace and beautifully written prose. I felt thrust right into the scenes of Lauren's life, and felt transported to Seattle in the 90s. (Not to mention Sydney before that, Hawaii later, and other locations.) The reader can sense Lauren's heart and soul in every situation she faced and in the way she describes her life on the page. I'm sure putting her story into words was difficult, but I'm glad she did it. Highly recommend.
August 12, 2016
Intriguing from page one, her story grabs hold of your heart and you're inevitably emotionally invested in her experience. I found myself both crying and laughing throughout. But I was mostly impacted by Lauren's profound courage and ability to weather storms most would not survive. This memoir is life changing!
August 6, 2016
Captivating. Inspiring. Beautiful. My husband was interested and it made a fun read together. Lauren Jayne places you right in the scene and there are times you don't want to leave.
August 30, 2016
Exceptional writing quite a page turner.
August 20, 2017
I don't know what I was expecting when I started reading this book. For whatever reason, being set in Seattle, I thought it would be a cool look at the music scene. But it's ... not?
It's not a bad book. It's written... ok. The biggest issue is that it jumps all over the place. Lauren will tell one story and then, jump to another story. There is no exposition, no reflection, no nothing in between. A prime example is when Lauren goes on the camping trip with her dad and a friend. The friend is like, "He touched my butt," Lauren gets pushed out of the way, and then... nothing. We don't find out what happened until Lauren tells her friends about it YEARS later (and the part where she tells her friends is clearly so made up, I just don't believe it, sorry). She mentions it in the next scene in vague terms ("After the Carrie incident, I hadn't seen my friends much") but that's IT.
As well, all the dialogue is... horribly suspect. Especially the interactions between her and Carmen; no one, and I mean, NO ONE, talks in monologues like that. It started to get really obnoxious that there would be this diatribes from people about how "GORGEOUS" Lauren or Carmen or whoever is. Like.... ok. Maybe they would bolster each other's self esteem, but it definitely read as fake.
I think one of the biggest issues is that Lauren comes off as an unreliable narrator. It's a memoir and truth in memoir is a very tricky subject. There was just something a little unbelievable and, frankly, very boring about each story and the dialogue. It's hard to put my finger in; it might be a lack of editing and a lack of details beyond "I did this, Carmen did this, we wore THIS."
Overall, it's the story of a girl in Seattle and her friends, but I have a hard time coming away with any kind of detail or real story arc. Carmen committing suicide was, legitimately, a major turn--but the book ended shortly after. To me, there was no real takeaway, because there was next to no reflection or exposition (beyond a whole lotta God talk and then Lauren deciding to be Jewish) throughout the whole book. She had a rough childhood, but by the time she was in high school, it just become a long slog of running around with people, "experiencing nature," friendships with "the boys" (who she never talks about unless they're right there so are they friends?), going to parties, working, and dating random guys. Yawn? She talks about going to see Pearl Jam. But, to quote my queen from the Devil Wears Prada, "Florals? For spring? Revolutionary." Pearl Jam? In 1992? Revolutionary.
I don't want to sound like I'm just dragging this book. I think there is a story here, but Lauren doesn't strike me a particularly strong writer. Her descriptions of things are pretty cringe-worthy. With some editing and work, this could have been a stellar book. Connections between scenes, an overarching theme, something, anything. The book ultimately felt like it was about her friendship with Carmen, but ... there is nothing to Carmen beyond what we're told. Carmen doesn't feel like a real person in Lauren's descriptions; it's just a caricature. There needs to be some deeper work done here, which feels mean to say about a memoir, but c'est la vie.
It's not a bad book. It's written... ok. The biggest issue is that it jumps all over the place. Lauren will tell one story and then, jump to another story. There is no exposition, no reflection, no nothing in between. A prime example is when Lauren goes on the camping trip with her dad and a friend. The friend is like, "He touched my butt," Lauren gets pushed out of the way, and then... nothing. We don't find out what happened until Lauren tells her friends about it YEARS later (and the part where she tells her friends is clearly so made up, I just don't believe it, sorry). She mentions it in the next scene in vague terms ("After the Carrie incident, I hadn't seen my friends much") but that's IT.
As well, all the dialogue is... horribly suspect. Especially the interactions between her and Carmen; no one, and I mean, NO ONE, talks in monologues like that. It started to get really obnoxious that there would be this diatribes from people about how "GORGEOUS" Lauren or Carmen or whoever is. Like.... ok. Maybe they would bolster each other's self esteem, but it definitely read as fake.
I think one of the biggest issues is that Lauren comes off as an unreliable narrator. It's a memoir and truth in memoir is a very tricky subject. There was just something a little unbelievable and, frankly, very boring about each story and the dialogue. It's hard to put my finger in; it might be a lack of editing and a lack of details beyond "I did this, Carmen did this, we wore THIS."
Overall, it's the story of a girl in Seattle and her friends, but I have a hard time coming away with any kind of detail or real story arc. Carmen committing suicide was, legitimately, a major turn--but the book ended shortly after. To me, there was no real takeaway, because there was next to no reflection or exposition (beyond a whole lotta God talk and then Lauren deciding to be Jewish) throughout the whole book. She had a rough childhood, but by the time she was in high school, it just become a long slog of running around with people, "experiencing nature," friendships with "the boys" (who she never talks about unless they're right there so are they friends?), going to parties, working, and dating random guys. Yawn? She talks about going to see Pearl Jam. But, to quote my queen from the Devil Wears Prada, "Florals? For spring? Revolutionary." Pearl Jam? In 1992? Revolutionary.
I don't want to sound like I'm just dragging this book. I think there is a story here, but Lauren doesn't strike me a particularly strong writer. Her descriptions of things are pretty cringe-worthy. With some editing and work, this could have been a stellar book. Connections between scenes, an overarching theme, something, anything. The book ultimately felt like it was about her friendship with Carmen, but ... there is nothing to Carmen beyond what we're told. Carmen doesn't feel like a real person in Lauren's descriptions; it's just a caricature. There needs to be some deeper work done here, which feels mean to say about a memoir, but c'est la vie.
August 25, 2017
Do Not Waste Your Time
If you are looking for a memoir of a woman who lived through a childhood of neglect and sexual abuse and comes through with grit and insight-this is not it. If you are looking for teeny bop memories and wow! Ain't I something and just look at how everybody loves me- step right up. This book reads like a pre-teen diary. What a disappointment. The world needs to seriously look at child abuse, and especially sexual abuse. In this book, no one learns anything including the reader. And that is a shame. Frankly, it makes me question the credibility of the whole thing. There is not a single honest nor truthful moment portrayed here. If you have an interest in this subject, search elsewhere.
If you are looking for a memoir of a woman who lived through a childhood of neglect and sexual abuse and comes through with grit and insight-this is not it. If you are looking for teeny bop memories and wow! Ain't I something and just look at how everybody loves me- step right up. This book reads like a pre-teen diary. What a disappointment. The world needs to seriously look at child abuse, and especially sexual abuse. In this book, no one learns anything including the reader. And that is a shame. Frankly, it makes me question the credibility of the whole thing. There is not a single honest nor truthful moment portrayed here. If you have an interest in this subject, search elsewhere.
October 19, 2020
(Content warning: child neglect, physical and sexual abuse/molestation, disordered eating)
This was an extremely difficult book to read, both because of the triggering content and because Jayne bounces back and forth between various events in her life and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to her method. The first quarter of the book focuses on her childhood, where she deals with neglect, physical and sexual abuse/molestation, and disordered eating. Word to the wise, if you have struggled with any of these topics, you'll want to read this with care. While she does only graze over the sexual abuse details, the physical violence she recounts is quite graphic. I can appreciate Jayne sharing her story, but I didn't find much value in it because of the way in which it was told.
This was an extremely difficult book to read, both because of the triggering content and because Jayne bounces back and forth between various events in her life and there doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to her method. The first quarter of the book focuses on her childhood, where she deals with neglect, physical and sexual abuse/molestation, and disordered eating. Word to the wise, if you have struggled with any of these topics, you'll want to read this with care. While she does only graze over the sexual abuse details, the physical violence she recounts is quite graphic. I can appreciate Jayne sharing her story, but I didn't find much value in it because of the way in which it was told.
August 24, 2017
I feel like she did a good job of telling her story in an engaging and relatable way without getting too bogged down by he timeline. She skips ahead which annoyed me at first but I feel like it was necessary and done at the right points. The writing style open this book up to teenagers as well and I feel like even though they aren't her intended audience, this book could be enlightening to that age group. Her ability to forgive and learn from her past is inspiring, we aren't all capable of moving on in such a positive way and I appreciate her sharing her journey and growth.
December 25, 2017
Not the best but not the worst
Overall I did generally enjoy this book. The hardest part of reading it is how much it jumps around in time without really telling you how much time had passed. It can also be a bit difficult to remember which people are which because Lauren doesn't give much introduction to tertiary people in the story. She has lead a hard life and I appreciate her putting her story out there.
Overall I did generally enjoy this book. The hardest part of reading it is how much it jumps around in time without really telling you how much time had passed. It can also be a bit difficult to remember which people are which because Lauren doesn't give much introduction to tertiary people in the story. She has lead a hard life and I appreciate her putting her story out there.
December 23, 2018
Interesting, But...
It was a good book. Nothing more, nothing less. Many parts felt watered down and some grabbed me, but all in all, I’d call this mediocre. I feel that her interesting life could have been told in a much more compelling way that didn’t have the reader feeling burdened at the end. As for the end, it felt rushed and incomplete after the wordiness of the rest of the book. Okay, but definitely not something that I’d read again.
It was a good book. Nothing more, nothing less. Many parts felt watered down and some grabbed me, but all in all, I’d call this mediocre. I feel that her interesting life could have been told in a much more compelling way that didn’t have the reader feeling burdened at the end. As for the end, it felt rushed and incomplete after the wordiness of the rest of the book. Okay, but definitely not something that I’d read again.
May 8, 2017
This was a good read in certain spots but really all over the place. I'm not a sparatic reader like that. Of course it's supposed to be memories as recorded but it's just all over the place jumping from subject to subject.
August 18, 2017
Eh. Seemed very self-serving to me. The way she grew up was very different. While that was somewhat interesting, I found the ending abrupt and confusing. Seemed like the author ran into a deadline and just cut to present time with no explanation of many years in between.
May 29, 2017
Why
It seems like a book for teenagers I didn't find it that interesting.but as I said it was an ok.
It seems like a book for teenagers I didn't find it that interesting.but as I said it was an ok.
July 11, 2017
I couldn't put the book down--a compelling read! It's a true-life story where Lauren Jayne's unbreakable spirit give her the strength to survive and succeed against all odds.
August 29, 2017
Good read
Good read. Very disturbing story. Told very well Can't put the book down. So much description and reality. Than You
Good read. Very disturbing story. Told very well Can't put the book down. So much description and reality. Than You
October 31, 2017
I couldn’t finish this book. It’s less a book and more a list of things that happened, not necessarily in chronological order.
February 28, 2019
For the past three years a close friend of mine poured herself into writing this memoir. A couple of years ago she asked me if I would be willing to read the summary that she was going to submit to publishers. I remember when I started reading it we were on a family road trip to Colorado and I couldn't stop. Do you know when you start reading a book that you can't put it down? A book that as you turn each page it leaves you wondering what will happen next? That is how profound her story is and how gifted of a writer my friend is. Now her book has been published and I am so proud of her and her strength.
I'd love for you to read her book and pass it to others. Once you read it you will understand why her story needs to be told so please pass it on.
I truly believe you will be very touched by her story but more importantly by her strength and mission to make a difference.
Thank you!
Paula Doroff
I'd love for you to read her book and pass it to others. Once you read it you will understand why her story needs to be told so please pass it on.
I truly believe you will be very touched by her story but more importantly by her strength and mission to make a difference.
Thank you!
Paula Doroff
May 29, 2017
This book takes you on an adventure! It brings you through stories and memories the author writes so vividly, it feels as though you are right there with her. The resilience and drive that shows through is inspiring. A recommended summer (or really anytime) read for sure!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews