Sarah Tomlinson - 'Good Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up with a Brilliant but Difficult Father'

Journalist Sarah Tomlinson recounts her unconventional upbringing and complicated relationship with her father in her book 'Good Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up with a Brilliant but Difficult Father'.

"Good Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up with a Brilliant but Difficult Father" is a book written by Sarah Tomlinson. Published in 2015, it is a memoir that explores Tomlinson's journey and experiences growing up in a non-traditional family and seeking her own identity.

In "Good Girl," Sarah Tomlinson reflects on her childhood and the complexities of her upbringing. She was raised in the 1970s and 1980s in a communal household in San Francisco, where her mother was part of a group of like-minded individuals. The memoir delves into her relationships with her unconventional mother and absent father, as well as the challenges and personal struggles she faced as she navigated her way to adulthood.

The book touches on themes of family, identity, self-discovery, and the search for belonging. Tomlinson's writing explores the impact of her unique upbringing on her sense of self and the choices she made in her life.

Here are some quotes from the book:

"I was a good girl. I did what I was told. I got good grades. I never talked back. I never made waves. But it wasn't enough. My father was never satisfied."

"I was terrified of my father. I lived in constant fear of his next outburst. I felt like I was walking on eggshells around him."

"I was ashamed of my father's behavior. I tried to hide it from my friends and classmates."

"As I grew older, I began to understand my father's illness, but I still struggled to cope with its effects on my life."

"I felt like I was constantly trying to please my father, and I was never sure if I was doing enough."

"I felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders, and I often felt like I was going to break."

Tomlinson has also written a number of other books, including Fast Girl: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Speed, a biography of Olympic runner Suzy Favor Hamilton; and The Duchess of Rock: A Memoir of Music, Madness, and Love, a memoir about her time as a music journalist and her relationship with rock star Julian Casablancas.

 

Book Reviews: "Sarah Tomlinson - 'Good Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up with a Brilliant but Difficult Father'"