Review: A Family Dynamic of Tragedy and Loss.....
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 04 28, 2014
You Don't choose your family, they are God's gift to you as you are to them. ~ Desmond TuTuThis, in part is a coming of age memoir: "Dramaville is not a place; its a state of mind" by Canadian author Andrea Lewis. The Trinidadian culture is also represented throughout in language, customs, foods and music.Raised in Montreal Canada after her young married parents emigrated from Trinidad Spain, Lewis was the only girl with 3 brothers. Lewis inattentive father worked on a night shift likely as a laborer, sleeping during the day. With many arguments, misunderstandings, and fights her parents eventually divorced, her father was largely absent from the story. Lewis hardworking observant Catholic mother was left to raise and support her children alone, Lewis recalled attending mass with her mother whenever possible.It was unfortunate that Lewis mother had to depend on her oldest son Leroy to help supervise his half siblings while she worked. Often he would forget to pick his little sister up from school, ill equipped to handle this responsibility, Leroy seemed mean, hateful, and very controlling. Lewis revealed he molested her when she was a small child. When the family moved after a number of years, from their small apartment to a house in Blackburn Hamlet, Leroy was well known to the (OPP) Ontario Provincial Police due to his involvement with drug possession and petty crime, according to Lewis.Lewis first attended College LaSalle in downtown Montreal, staying briefly with her mothers friend and her three children. Unable to really apply herself, not taking her academic studies seriously, having no idea how to take care of herself or manage her financial aid money, she preferred to party, and dropped her classes. It wasn't clear if Lewis ever finished her education or earned any certification or degree. Eventually Lewis married a man who truly seemed to love her, after many years of unhappiness and disappointment her marriage ended in divorce. There were no children.Another defining part of this family marked by hardship, unstable relationships, estrangement, was mental illness that led to a tragic death. Mental healthcare if used, often saves lives. It was unclear if there were any psychiatric diagnosis or mental health services were ever obtained.Lewis has created a website: "Independently Fine" to support healthier relationships with inspirational quotes. She lives in Ottawa, Canada.Many thanks to Amazon for the Kindle eBook promotional copy.