Wah!

by Cynthia Rogerson

Cynthia’s mother is dying. Often.

Travelling between her home in Scotland and California, as she spends time at her mother’s bedside Cynthia recalls her youthful adventures: living in a squat, train-hopping, hitchhiking and all the other things she never told her mother.

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 27, 2022

About the author

Author also writes as Addison Jones

Cynthia Rogerson is a novelist, short story writer and poet. She is also a director at Moniack Mhor, the Arvon creative writing centre. She lives near Evanton in Easter Ross, Scotland.

Reviews

[Lauren coffeebooksandescape · Rating 1 out of 5]

“Travelling with someone could tell you things about a person that even living with them couldn’t. It could make or break a relationship. Maybe people getting married should be required to hitch to Mexico on $50 before the wedding.”

✮

I actually feel like I shouldn’t be giving this book a rating technically, because I could not finish it. Maybe if I had somehow managed to make it to the end I would be able to rate it higher, but honestly, just no.

This book was based around the fact that Cynthia’s mum is dying, and these are all the things she never told her mother about. The short stories cover many things but I didn’t feel like there was really a tale there at all. Did I need to know that Cynthia hitchhiked to Mexico because she had nothing better to do, except the fact she should have been studying for her exams. Okay kudos to her for making it all the way to Mexico and back with bare minimum money, but it seemed like the most tedious boring adventure ever, and obviously hitchhiking can be dangerous so there’s that too. Where are the feelings? The lessons learnt?

[Maria Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Net Galley and Standstone Press for the advance copy of this book. The memoir is a collection of stories from the author's childhood and travels. She writes a lot about her family and various relationships including her two marriages but mainly the story centers around the impending passing of her beloved mother. This is the first book I've read written this gifted storyteller, and it won't be the last. Full of wit and wisdom and thoroughly enjoyable.

[nickiknackinoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wah is a book that tells stories about moments in the author's life that she never told her mother. It's funny and quite candid in places but there seem to be a lot of stories to tell. The meaning of Wah is funny in itself but to think that it was said would have caused confusion to anyone out of the inner circle as they would have no idea what she was talking about!!!. To be clear, Wah means I have no f**king idea!!.
It was well written with lots of funny stories, but for me personally, I found that it dragged on, and towards the end I really wanted the book to finish. It was a hard slog towards the end.I
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC book for an honest review.
#Netgalley, #sandstonepress, #

[Federica Stefani · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is melancholy and fun in Cynthia Rogerson's book, as she looks back at some memories of her life as she tells of the period before the death of her mother.

A memoir both tender and entertaining, from an earnest perspective we follow Cynthia and her family as well as having a peep into American society and its history in the background.

Despite the main theme, the forthcoming death of a parent, this is a really an enjoyable read with witty bits. There is a mirror of human frailties, and a celebration of these.

[grace saint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very suddenly starts talking about murdering a dog so I mean be prepared for that but not exactly the best book I’ve ever read

[Miss Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Fabulous style, cleverly intertwining present with past, and wow, what a past this lady has had.
Some stories were funny, others sad, poignant, challenging but incredibly readable and I didn't want the book to end. I could have read about this woman's life day by day, minute by minute I think and never had enough.
From hitchhiking to pig keeping, rule breaking to familial love and loss. I thoroughly recommend it.

[Emma Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is told very carefully and cleverly. Sharp, witty and rich in texture.
Packed with mini stories each quirky and special in their own way. Some laugh out loud moments and some poignant ones. A great blend on what feels like a not quite memoir.
I love the lists of things the author learns from her mum.

[Ceris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - Rogerson writes with wit and warmth, but doesn't let that get in the way of (occasionally brutal) honesty with her readers.

I think WAH! will particularly resonate with anyone who has been separated from their parents while their parents have been ill.

[Danielle Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given to me by a friend who heard it was good. I found it funny and entertaining for about 200 pages, then it was just tedious to finish. The stories are not full of wisdom as some reviewers shared, but the are entertaining and relatable.

[Nicholas Alford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Cynthia’s writing and tone. Makes me want to be more free-spirited. There were some lines in there I thought beautiful but I didn’t have a pen and now I can’t remember what they are. Felt a bit slow towards the end, I guess like the long wait for her mother to die.

[Molly Arbuthnott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun and enjoyable read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written and very enjoyable memoir. It details episodes in Cynthia's life that she has never told her mother about. The narrative is funny, very candid, moving and sometimes sad.

The book is divided into mini stories from hitchhiking in Mexico to keeping pigs. Cynthia has a colourful life! The tone is witty and entertaining.