Rating: 4 stars
Headline: Bernice Dietrich’s charming memoir showcases a life lived to the fullest
Review:
A good deal of memoirs are written in response to a triggering incident, covering only a fraction of someone’s lived experiences. There is, however, something quite homely about memoirs that paint a full picture of an individual, especially if it is reflective of a life well lived.
Lady Slippers very much falls into this second camp of memoir. Written by Bernice Dietrich (completed and published by Melissa Bini), the book covers the full 102 years of Bernice’s colourful life. Born and raised in 1920s Staten Island, America, Bernice’s life was bookended by two pandemics with a World War in between. Told through her own words, Bernice paints a colourful picture of the experiences she had growing up, falling in love and forging a family of her own. As she documents her experiences Bernice’s words draw in subtle cultural and political changes, including the changing American healthcare system that went through a rapid pace of evolution throughout the 20th century, from the advances in medical treatment to the erosion of local community services. Bernice’s tale takes the reader up until 2007, when she stopped her memoir. She would go on to live for almost 15 years more, sadly passing away in 2022.
The final third of the book picks up where Bernice left off in 2007, with family members from younger generations contributing their tales of growing up with Bernice as a family figurehead. There you see the charming flipside of outsider perspective, how the family viewed her as a proud and active individual with a passion for travel and sports.
Reading this book you feel as if Bernice is in the room with you, recounting her tales besides a roaring fire. It’s a comforting feeling that comes through on every page. And while Bernice’s tone of voice and writing style does make the pacing a tad slower, it does make for a more gentler, steady read.
A calm and methodical memoir, Lady Slippers is a charming memoir that will make you want to pick up a journal and start living your own adventures.
AEB Reviews
Links:
Reedsy Discovery Review: AEB Reviews – “Lady Slippers: A Memoir” by Melissa Deetz
Purchase Link: “Lady Slippers: A Memoir” by Melissa Deetz (Amazon)
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