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Glad Farm
[Alternate cover edition for ASIN: B06XQBJCRZ]
Raised in a primitive one-room farmhouse with no indoor plumbing, the fourth of five children, Catherine Marenghi begins her life in poverty and isolation, but is propelled forward by the love and support of her family. A decade after leaving home at the age of seventeen, she is a successful journalist with the means to buy her family their first decent house. But the past will not be put to rest so easily. Catherine unravels a web of long-buried family secrets, and a terrible betrayal that robbed her family of the home that was rightfully theirs. And she finally learns the story her parents never shared: the gladiolus farm that was once their dream. At once lyrical and raw, unflinching in its detail, "Glad Farm" is an iconic American story of renewal and reinvention, and the mythic power of a house to define our destiny.
Raised in a primitive one-room farmhouse with no indoor plumbing, the fourth of five children, Catherine Marenghi begins her life in poverty and isolation, but is propelled forward by the love and support of her family. A decade after leaving home at the age of seventeen, she is a successful journalist with the means to buy her family their first decent house. But the past will not be put to rest so easily. Catherine unravels a web of long-buried family secrets, and a terrible betrayal that robbed her family of the home that was rightfully theirs. And she finally learns the story her parents never shared: the gladiolus farm that was once their dream. At once lyrical and raw, unflinching in its detail, "Glad Farm" is an iconic American story of renewal and reinvention, and the mythic power of a house to define our destiny.
390 pages, ebook
First published August 9, 2016
1094 people are currently reading
1417 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Marenghi
8 books66 followersCatherine Marenghi is an award-winning poet, novelist and memoirist. Her works include Glad Farm: A Memoir, about growing up in stark poverty in a one-room farmhouse; President Jimmy Carter called the book "inspiring." Her historic fiction Our Good Name was inspired by her Italian immigrant grandparents.
Her poetry books are Breaking Bread: Poems, Unfurled: Love Poems, and her latest poetry book, Things We Take, Things We Let Go.
Catherine writes with a profound sense of place and a fascination with the power of house, home, and family bonds. Her poetry has won numerous awards, including two Academy of American Poets prizes, and has appeared in literary journals in the U.S. and internationally.
The granddaughter of immigrants, Catherine was born and raised in Milford, Massachusetts, a town where she has deep roots and a lifelong connection. She is an active member of the vibrant literary community of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she has served on the board of the San Miguel Poetry Cafe and, with poet Judyth Hill, co-founded the Poetry Mesa, an international community serving poets and poetry.
She divides her time between Mexico and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Her poetry books are Breaking Bread: Poems, Unfurled: Love Poems, and her latest poetry book, Things We Take, Things We Let Go.
Catherine writes with a profound sense of place and a fascination with the power of house, home, and family bonds. Her poetry has won numerous awards, including two Academy of American Poets prizes, and has appeared in literary journals in the U.S. and internationally.
The granddaughter of immigrants, Catherine was born and raised in Milford, Massachusetts, a town where she has deep roots and a lifelong connection. She is an active member of the vibrant literary community of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she has served on the board of the San Miguel Poetry Cafe and, with poet Judyth Hill, co-founded the Poetry Mesa, an international community serving poets and poetry.
She divides her time between Mexico and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
August 22, 2016
I typically read light, easy fictions and do enjoy historical fictions. This is not fiction. This is my first memoir and it’s an AMAZING story of strength, perseverance, and success. Catherine writes about the challenges she faced and endured in her childhood. She shares personal and painful parts of her life including poverty, mental illness, family betrayal and tragedy. You feel nothing but happiness to read about the success in her life. The detail in her writing makes you feel as if you are right there. You will not be disappointed reading this memoir. A story that you will find hard to put down.
During the weekend I was reading this, we had no hot water. Only for a weekend. Could not imagine 17 years!!
During the weekend I was reading this, we had no hot water. Only for a weekend. Could not imagine 17 years!!
August 14, 2016
If I could give this wonderful book a ten, I would. My classmate, Catherine Marenghi, is a very gifted writer who has portrayed her life in such a way as to leave this reader with many emotions. I felt like I was living her life as she wove her story with me tagging along. I was so caught up in places and events that happened at the same time, but never knowing that the quiet ,red haired, smart girl was living in a world I never could have conceived. I am so very happy for all that Catherine has accomplished in her life and for all the good that she made happen. She truly defined her future from her past.
June 17, 2017
The author is just five years older than me, I find it fascinating that she grew up in such poverty in a one room home in the 60s and 70s. Seems unfathomable that a family could live like that in recent times. She lived in the town next to where I currently live, and I was intrigued to read about streets and landmarks that I know well. The beautiful Victorian family home of her grandparents is on the same street where my son found his first tiny apartment. In fact in the 90s, the author and I both were contractors at the same company! Small world.
It is amazing how she hid her poverty and living arrangements from her childhood friends, and teachers. No one knew how her family lived. She discovers a lot about her family as she gets older, and I enjoyed reading about her success in adulthood.
I truly enjoyed reading about Catherine's life!
It is amazing how she hid her poverty and living arrangements from her childhood friends, and teachers. No one knew how her family lived. She discovers a lot about her family as she gets older, and I enjoyed reading about her success in adulthood.
I truly enjoyed reading about Catherine's life!
January 24, 2018
Amazing story, set literally just a few miles from where I live. Think of a 'Glass Houses' type of existence, growing up with no plumbing or heat in the midst of suburbia with what sounds like loving but disturbed parents. The writing is less polished, but the story is enlightning. I felt like the author should have slowed down her writing process and been held to task by a more exacting editor to dig deep and answer the deeper questions. Why did her father raise her and her four siblings in this barely sufficient house he built himself when his sister and her husband lived in the family estate across town all by them selves. All of the siblings owned that family home, yet her father raised them in poverty. Why did her mother sleep on the floor in the attic between the beds of her female children while her husband and son slept in the large bed on the main floor. What is the story of her older brother, who lived with his mother his whole life, dealing with his mentally unstable sibling, never marrying. There is a real story here, and this book just scratched the surface.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2017
I really loved this book. It's a memoir and is set just miles from where I live. So many familiar places. Simply written. I got immediately invested in the family and their story. Highly recommend this book.
March 12, 2020
Memoirs are sometimes dull, poorly written, and forgettable, even when written by the rich and famous. But this mesmerizing memoir is thought-provoking, richly written, and unforgettable—largely because of interactions in a family of seven living in an isolated one-room house built with scrap materials and without indoor plumbing.
With the soul of a poet, author Catherine Marenghi shows the effects of poverty on her parents, herself, and her siblings compared with schoolmates and well-to-do relatives in a nearby town. The opening chapter grabs you and the ensuing chapters will resonate with anyone anywhere who escaped from poverty or knows someone who did. The overall story based on her childhood in rural Massachusetts just 40 miles from Boston is also a reminder that pockets of poverty were, and still are, more widespread than stereotypes of rural Appalachia or inner-city ghettos.
Having a suitable house to call your own is a powerful dream, but beyond the reach of almost everyone living in extreme poverty. The author endured 17 years of crowded living in the makeshift house that defined her youth and restricted her lifestyle choices. College scholarships provided a pathway to career success, enabling her to reach back to help her widowed mother own a new modular house with modern conveniences.
Habitat for Humanity helps many people achieve similar housing dreams with volunteers including President Carter (who also grew up in a house without indoor plumbing). He reviewed a pre-publication draft, penned a book blurb recommending it, and the author donates 50 percent of the book sale proceeds to Habitat for Humanity. All of us who buy and read this remarkable book will be twice blessed; once for reading it, and again for helping fulfill housing dreams.
With the soul of a poet, author Catherine Marenghi shows the effects of poverty on her parents, herself, and her siblings compared with schoolmates and well-to-do relatives in a nearby town. The opening chapter grabs you and the ensuing chapters will resonate with anyone anywhere who escaped from poverty or knows someone who did. The overall story based on her childhood in rural Massachusetts just 40 miles from Boston is also a reminder that pockets of poverty were, and still are, more widespread than stereotypes of rural Appalachia or inner-city ghettos.
Having a suitable house to call your own is a powerful dream, but beyond the reach of almost everyone living in extreme poverty. The author endured 17 years of crowded living in the makeshift house that defined her youth and restricted her lifestyle choices. College scholarships provided a pathway to career success, enabling her to reach back to help her widowed mother own a new modular house with modern conveniences.
Habitat for Humanity helps many people achieve similar housing dreams with volunteers including President Carter (who also grew up in a house without indoor plumbing). He reviewed a pre-publication draft, penned a book blurb recommending it, and the author donates 50 percent of the book sale proceeds to Habitat for Humanity. All of us who buy and read this remarkable book will be twice blessed; once for reading it, and again for helping fulfill housing dreams.
November 24, 2019
I thought this book had good content and it made me feel for the author’s family, but I struggled with connecting with the author and feeling for her, and I struggled to like her. I don’t think she meant to come off this way, but I felt like her goal was to show how much better she turned out than her family. I get wanting to say “hey, I made it world” but I don’t like the way she did that. I was expecting to feel a lot of emotion in this book but that was not the case. And I agree with another review I read...there was so much more to tell and it left me feeling like something was missing.
June 23, 2017
An interesting memoir, made more interesting that the memoirist grew up in my town. I found the "mystery" that's alluded to in the description to unfold rather suddenly and thus, not as impactful as it could have been. Nevertheless, a good read.
August 25, 2016
One of the best books I have ever read. A memoir that keeps you flipping the pages. A story your heart goes out to.
February 16, 2022
Poverty, home, land and family intertwined, and told with heart.
February 26, 2018
This is a rag to riches story of a smart, perseptive, determined little girl who grew up to become an ambitious and successful woman. In some parts touching and others tough, the author recalls the moments that shaped her. As a child, Catherine is surrounded by a loving family, the normal sibling rivalry, hardship, loss and grief. The house Catherine grew up in plays a big part in her hurry to leave home and make good. It's the reason she's so determined to change her life. Another house figures into this story too. A much larger, grander house that belongs to the matriarch of the family, Aunt Lizzie.
I enjoy reading memoirs, but occasionally, in some of them like this one, it's hard not to make comparisons. I wrote part of my review immediately upon finishing the book, and as I always do, without reading any of the other reviews lest they influence me. But then I read them. I just wanted to note that I don't live anywhere near where Catherine grew up. The things I have in common with Catherine are that we are close in age and have the Italian family background. I especially enjoyed the author's views on the Irish and Italians because of my own heritage, a mix of both. Catherine's mother reminded me much of my Italian great grandmother: A hard working woman who does everything for her family, someone who is content or resigned to live out the life handed to them and not strive for anything more than caring for her children.
There were two quotes that express Catherine's feelings very well, one was at the beginning of the story, and the other at the end.
"He really had no business doing any of this work. By training, he was neither a carpenter nor a plumber, nor an electrician. But he was a poor man. And a poor man must assume many professions that are not his own."
"The house that cradled my early years had a powerful effect on my family's psyche. It was debilitating for some of us. In my case, the house lit a fire under me, propelling me out into the world."
This story reminds us why we make the choices we do. Thought provoking in uncovering the reasons some of us are so quick to cut the family ties. The author worked hard and made very smart, good choices. She is proof that success is possible.
I enjoy reading memoirs, but occasionally, in some of them like this one, it's hard not to make comparisons. I wrote part of my review immediately upon finishing the book, and as I always do, without reading any of the other reviews lest they influence me. But then I read them. I just wanted to note that I don't live anywhere near where Catherine grew up. The things I have in common with Catherine are that we are close in age and have the Italian family background. I especially enjoyed the author's views on the Irish and Italians because of my own heritage, a mix of both. Catherine's mother reminded me much of my Italian great grandmother: A hard working woman who does everything for her family, someone who is content or resigned to live out the life handed to them and not strive for anything more than caring for her children.
There were two quotes that express Catherine's feelings very well, one was at the beginning of the story, and the other at the end.
"He really had no business doing any of this work. By training, he was neither a carpenter nor a plumber, nor an electrician. But he was a poor man. And a poor man must assume many professions that are not his own."
"The house that cradled my early years had a powerful effect on my family's psyche. It was debilitating for some of us. In my case, the house lit a fire under me, propelling me out into the world."
This story reminds us why we make the choices we do. Thought provoking in uncovering the reasons some of us are so quick to cut the family ties. The author worked hard and made very smart, good choices. She is proof that success is possible.
October 3, 2016
Raised in a primitive one-room farmhouse with no indoor plumbing, the fourth of five children, Catherine Marenghi begins her life in poverty and isolation. She leaves home at the age of seventeen. A decade later, she is a successful journalist with the means to buy her family their first decent house. But the past will not be put to rest so easily. Catherine unravels a web of long-buried family secrets, and a terrible betrayal that robbed her family of the home that was rightfully theirs. And she finally uncovers the story her parents never shared: the gladiolus farm that was once their dream.
I enjoy reading memoirs but they can also be a bit dry. I could not put this one down. I am about the same age as the author and cannot imagine growing up in the environment she did. And how the family remained positive and loving through all of that is amazing. Jimmy Carter's comment on the back rings true - "reminds us of the role our habitats play in shaping our lives".
somewhat sad that all she found out about her family in the end was after her mom passes, and unable to answer all the questions I' m sure she had. But we are all like that I think - - we don't ask the questions of our elders while they are around and able to share family history.
definitely a book to read!
I enjoy reading memoirs but they can also be a bit dry. I could not put this one down. I am about the same age as the author and cannot imagine growing up in the environment she did. And how the family remained positive and loving through all of that is amazing. Jimmy Carter's comment on the back rings true - "reminds us of the role our habitats play in shaping our lives".
somewhat sad that all she found out about her family in the end was after her mom passes, and unable to answer all the questions I' m sure she had. But we are all like that I think - - we don't ask the questions of our elders while they are around and able to share family history.
definitely a book to read!
March 11, 2018
I heard about this memoir through our library as our "One Book, One Holliston" selection. Catherine Marenghi, the author, grew up in the next town of Milford, and a Skype meeting was held with her. What I liked most about her book however was her ability to transform and share the shame she felt growing up. Too many of us keep a piece from the past isolated so that it remains "a shame" rather than an integral part of who we are, thereby empowering us. Thank you Catherine for sharing what, even for you, were secrets.
April 21, 2019
Catherine Marenghi lived her first 17 years with her parents and four siblings in a one room ramshackle home in the woods of Milford, Massachusetts. Her house had no indoor plumbing, running water, or separate rooms. She lost her father and three of her siblings all under the age of 50 and it seemed everyone in her family was doomed for mediocracy or worse.
Putting all her efforts into her education she earns a full scholarship to Tufts and went on to a successful career in writing and public relations. This is her story.
Putting all her efforts into her education she earns a full scholarship to Tufts and went on to a successful career in writing and public relations. This is her story.
November 12, 2021
I had a difficult time connecting with the author and felt that she lacked empathy for many members of her family.
September 2, 2016
I read a lot of memoirs and non fiction and this one really touched my heart. Written honestly and with unflinching insight, it is "highlight worthy". this author really knows how to string a personal history into a page turning chronicle of perseverance, courage, and ultimately, success. She knows how to turn a phrase and there are several passages I instantly memorized. read it and then tell others. Just brilliant writing.
November 11, 2019
Didn’t quite hit the mark
This book is a light version of ‘Educated meets The Glass Castle’, but missing powerful vignettes those books included. The author didn’t get to the point of the title Glad Farm until the very end of the book. I think the author needs to stick to poetry, because her memoir is just not that interesting.
This book is a light version of ‘Educated meets The Glass Castle’, but missing powerful vignettes those books included. The author didn’t get to the point of the title Glad Farm until the very end of the book. I think the author needs to stick to poetry, because her memoir is just not that interesting.
September 15, 2016
Beautiful
This memoir is unique. It tells the story of a family, impoverished yet loving. It demonstrates how certain accidents in life have reverberating consequences both tragic and wonderful. I loved it!!
This memoir is unique. It tells the story of a family, impoverished yet loving. It demonstrates how certain accidents in life have reverberating consequences both tragic and wonderful. I loved it!!
October 16, 2016
This book has made a lasting impression on me. I am the same age as the author and grew up just a few towns away from her hometown, Milford, MA. I can't even begin to comprehend how different our lives were growing up. Please read this story.
October 12, 2016
A memoir worth reading about an amazing woman.
November 26, 2016
Interesting read because the author grew up in Milford.
December 28, 2021
A woman writes about her life growing up in a one room house built like a barn. Such poverty and tragedy as a child helps to propel her out of this small town with a full scholarship college education in Boston. Well written memoir.
July 4, 2022
“A million little intersections, a million little chances to change the future, to go left or go right, faster or slower, and no way of knowing which of those choices will matter.”
I enjoy reading memoirs, I love a good “started from the bottom now we’re here” story, and I like seeing how family histories piece together and make us who we are - sometimes without us even realizing. Combine those three things and you get this book.
Several distracting typos but the pictures included at the end really helped make this memoir real to the reader.
I enjoy reading memoirs, I love a good “started from the bottom now we’re here” story, and I like seeing how family histories piece together and make us who we are - sometimes without us even realizing. Combine those three things and you get this book.
Several distracting typos but the pictures included at the end really helped make this memoir real to the reader.
January 30, 2022
excellent
A wonderful story of overcoming a hard childhood with love and grace. The story of her life is challenge to all to overcome hardships that form our personality.
A wonderful story of overcoming a hard childhood with love and grace. The story of her life is challenge to all to overcome hardships that form our personality.
February 16, 2022
This memoir is reminiscent of The Glass Castle, with a very successful adult recounting an extremely impoverished upbringing. Marenghi is a fine writer and tells her family story with honesty and compassion. My husband enjoyed reading it also.
February 9, 2022
Incredible memoir. The author focuses on how their small rundown family home influenced how they felt about themselves as children. It reminds you of how a parent’s well being/mental health can have such great impact on children’s lives.
July 12, 2017
Just a wonderful book in every way. The author writes a touching memoir of being raised by her parents in a one-room shack, along with 4 siblings, without central heat (or much heat if any kind) nor running water. Marenghi's writing is poetic yet gets to the heart of things, such as how poverty affected her growing up and how it affected everyone in her family differently. She also concludes that small events can completely change the trajectory of one's life. Having grown up in a town not far from where the author did and around the same time, I felt a kinship with her. And although my life then was certainly privileged by most standards, our families suffered from some of the same problems. In the end, her life is an inspiration.
November 4, 2018
The themes and scenes in some books keep coming back to the front of my consciousness. Scenes from GLAD FARM occur to me over and over. These scenes and the people in the memoir are part of my awareness of what it means to be human. The writer deals with adversity through childhood, adolescence, and adult life. Her writing style makes us see and feel each situation. I truly could not put the book down.
Although people say "We did not know that we were poor when we were growing up," Catherine Marenghi was very much aware of what she and her family did not have. Her triumph as an individual, as a family member, as a mother, and as a professional was not easy.
Glad Farm
Although people say "We did not know that we were poor when we were growing up," Catherine Marenghi was very much aware of what she and her family did not have. Her triumph as an individual, as a family member, as a mother, and as a professional was not easy.
Glad Farm
August 1, 2018
Fabulous story of a woman of great strength, passion and conviction.
A book I simply could not put down. Knowing that I was growing up just one town away, only a handful of year's difference in our ages, hearing Catherine speak of people and places so familiar to me, made her story all the more fascinating and totally riveting. Although her life was filled with pain and suffering and heart wrenching trials, it was nonetheless one of deep and enduring love. Beautifully written account of this incredibly amazing woman's quest to overcome and rise above her circumstances and beat the odds. A true masterpiece!
A book I simply could not put down. Knowing that I was growing up just one town away, only a handful of year's difference in our ages, hearing Catherine speak of people and places so familiar to me, made her story all the more fascinating and totally riveting. Although her life was filled with pain and suffering and heart wrenching trials, it was nonetheless one of deep and enduring love. Beautifully written account of this incredibly amazing woman's quest to overcome and rise above her circumstances and beat the odds. A true masterpiece!
February 27, 2020
Fabulous. Glad Farm is heart-wrenching memoir of Catherine Marenghi's rise above a life of abject poverty. I grew up a few years ahead of Catherine Marenghi, in a different country and a different town, but so many of her descriptions of the 1960's and 70's brought back memories for me. Good memories. Sad memories. Funny memories. Forgotten memories. As the story moves through the years, long-buried family secrets rise to the surface. It sounds odd to say that I enjoyed a story that is filled with pain, simple pleasures, despair, and happiness, but the depth of emotions and the honestly are the key to a good memoir. I recommend Glad Farm. Lynda L. Lock
Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews