Pawns: The Farm, Nebish, Minnesota, 1950s (Chickenhouse Chronicles)

Name: Pawns: The Farm, Nebish, Minnesota, 1950s (Chickenhouse Chronicles)
Price: 22.13 USD
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Rating: 4.8 (12 reviews)

4.8 of 5 Stars: Genealogy - Pawns: The Farm, Nebish, Minnesota, 1950s (Chickenhouse Chronicles)

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Book Synopsis: Caught between a mentally ill mother and a stepfather with undiagnosed PTSD, Author Wendell Affield's childhood was marked by family dysfunction. In this memoir, which includes nearly 100 illustrations, he recounts growing up on an isolated farm in northern Minnesota in the 1950s. Musty letters, documents, and sixty-year-old photo negatives conjured memories as Affield pored over them. In a grainy negative beneath the magnifying glass, Affield saw his mother as the beautiful, mentally ill young woman transplanted in 1949 from her cosmopolitan New York roots. She stands beside the lilac that the author will land next to a few years later after jumping from a second-story window to escape her fury. Memories of a murdered puppy and his stepfather's rage rose to the surface as Affield studied a blurred image of the corncrib the dogs were tied beneath at the farm. In another picture, he discovered himself wedged between his brothers and sister in a leaky rowboat and flashed back to the summer his mother hid from her abusive husband in a cabin perched above Lake Chelan in the Cascade Mountains. Faded photos and hand-written birth dates on the backs reveal a woman who feared forgetting her children after she was committed to a mental institution, her children in foster homes. Follow along on this journey as the author researches his own childhood and uncovers brand new details about himself and his family. The Chickenhouse Chronicles is a series of cross-genre, standalone books that do not need to be read in any order.

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In the memoir "Pawns: The Farm, Nebish, Minnesota, 1950s (Chickenhouse Chronicles)", Author Wendell Affield takes you on a riveting journey through his tumultuous childhood. Growing up on an isolated farm in northern Minnesota, Affield's life was filled with family dysfunction and hardship. With over 100 illustrations, this book brings to life the author's harrowing experiences and the resilience he showed in the face of adversity.

As Affield delves into his past, he uncovers forgotten memories and hidden truths. Through musty letters, documents, and old photo negatives, he pieces together the puzzle of his upbringing. Each image holds a significant moment, from his mother's mental illness to the rage of his undiagnosed PTSD-ridden stepfather. These haunting snapshots transport you to a time and place filled with both love and pain.

One particular photograph captures the essence of Affield's mother, a beautiful yet troubled woman uprooted from her cosmopolitan New York life. Standing beside a lilac tree, which would later become a sanctuary for the author, she represents the complex layers of her persona. Another image reveals a grim reality, depicting a corncrib where a puppy was tragically murdered, igniting his stepfather's wrath.

The memoir also explores Affield's own journey of self-discovery. In a faded picture of him squeezed between his siblings in a leaky rowboat, memories flood back of a summer when his mother sought refuge from her abusive husband in a cabin overlooking Lake Chelan. Birthdates scribbled on the back of photographs remind us of a mother's fear of forgetting her children while she was institutionalized and they were placed in foster homes.

With its mix of stunning visuals and heartfelt storytelling, "Pawns: The Farm, Nebish, Minnesota, 1950s (Chickenhouse Chronicles)" is an unflinching portrayal of a childhood marked by trauma and resilience. Whether you're a fan of memoirs or simply looking for a captivating read, this book will leave a lasting impression.

Embark on this emotional journey of self-discovery and uncover the hidden depths of a remarkable childhood. Discover the real-life struggles and triumphs captured within the pages of "Pawns: The Farm, Nebish, Minnesota, 1950s (Chickenhouse Chronicles)".

Ready to dive into this extraordinary memoir? Order your copy now!

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