Change Me into Zeus's Daughter

Moss's early fascination with art coincides with her desire to transform her "twisted mummy face," which grew askew due to malnutrition and lack of medical care. Gazing at the stars on a clear Alabama night, she wishes to be the "goddess of beauty, much-loved daughter of Zeus." Against all odds, the image of herself surfaces at last as she learns to believe in the beauty she brings forth from inside.

Change Me into Zeus's Daughter is a haunting and ultimately triumphant memoir about growing up poor and undaunted in the South. With an unflinching voice, Barbara Robinette Moss chronicles her family's chaotic, impoverished survival in the red-clay hills of Alabama. A wild-eyed, alcoholic father and a humble, heroic mother along with a shanty full of rambunctious brothers and sisters fill her life to the brim with stories that are gripping, tender, and funny.

Moss's early fascination with art coincides with her desire to transform her "twisted mummy face," which grew askew due to malnutrition and lack of medical care. Gazing at the stars on a clear Alabama night, she wishes to be the "goddess of beauty, much-loved daughter of Zeus." Against all odds, the image of herself surfaces at last as she learns to believe in the beauty she brings forth from inside.

KLIATT

"Mother spooned the poisoned corn and beans into her mouth, ravenously, eyes closed, hands shaking." With these words the author begins the story of her impoverished and nightmarish childhood. As one of nine children, Barbara learned to survive against great obstacles. The father, Stewart, was a psychotic alcoholic who administered abuse on whim to his wife and children. The mother, Dorris, was the classic enabler—soothing, a peacemaker and the only protection offered to the children. Throughout this incredible autobiography we see the children being moved from one shack to another, trying to scratch out an existence and trying to stay out of their father's way. It was a common thing to be hungry because all the money was spent on booze. When Barbara had rheumatic fever and was likely to die, her father went drinking and forgot to send a doctor for her. The children all learned to lie so that no one at school would ever guess the embarrassing and awful secrets of their home life. Alice, Barbara's oldest sister, got married as soon as she could. The older boys joined the service to get away from their father. Barbara herself married when she was still in her teens—unfortunately to an abusive man. Dorris was a woman so absorbed by her attraction to Stewart that nothing else mattered—not even the lives of her children. She did love her children, teaching them music and poetry, but she loved (needed) Stewart more than anything. When Dorris was finally able to leave him, after the children were grown and he was openly living with another woman, Barbara felt anger that this came so late. Barbara obviously is a survivor. She not only survived her family life, she overcame her"mummy face," a deformity caused from the malnutrition of her childhood. Through a long and painful process she was able to have her protruding teeth corrected and she endured a series of surgeries to fix her face. Barbara went on to college, received a master's degree in art, and raised a son. Her memoir, which has been compared to Angela's Ashes and Bastard Out of Carolina, offers us an unflinching glimpse into her soul. Not all teens will respond to a book like this, but those who are ready for such a journey will find this an enriching and inspiring experience. KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 2000, Simon & Schuster, Touchstone, 317p., $14.00. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Sally M. Tibbetts; Audio Visual/LRC, Maine West H.S., Des Plaines, IL , November 2001 (Vol. 35, No. 6)