Introduction to The Mighty Queens of Freeville

[Stephanie]

Please post your comments and questions about the introduction in this thread.

In this and the chapter threads, please remember to limit your discussion to the chapter to which each thread refers so as to avoid posting spoilers.

[emeraldisle]

One important point Amy makes in the Introduction is that even "famous"people (as she is now) live the same everyday lives that everyone does. One day Amy is appearing on the Today show and the next day Joan, the owner of the Bright Day laundromat  is handing Amy quarters so she can do her laundry. Even famous people carry out the garbage and hassle with their children and have husbands leave them. No one is immune from the ups and downs of "real" life. 

[Tarri]

I think what I find most interesting about the introduction is that Amy Dickinson and her family could be any family..  She and her sisters could be me and my sisters, her mother could be my mother, and her town is just like every small town in America where everyone knows you and you cannot get away with anything.  

[cocospals]

What struck me about the introduction was on the last page of it where she wrote about the photos Amy and her sisters found. "Women leaning against Chevy Impalas or pickup trucks, smoking cigarettes with their arms flung around friends; doing handstands on the lawn-or showing off their new babies, new shoes or beloved house cats"  This could be my family, this could be your family.  I doubt there is a family around who doesnot have such a picture somewhere. This was my first clue that this book was not just about Amy and her family, but about anyones family.

[m3girl]

Oh my - what can I say about that absolutely grabbing introduction.  You got me on the first page!  The voice is wonderful.  I anticipate that this book will both inspire me, make me cry and also make me wonder why I don't have this type of relationship with my sisters.  Could it be because most of the jerky husbands stuck around?  Mine didn't - perhaps one of the reasons why I anticipate being able to relate to this story more than ever expected.  I look forward to reading more - most likely late into the night as I won't be able to put it down.

Susan

[danikl]

The introduction could also be an introduction to my life. My Mom, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins and other members of the small town that I came from, who inspired and instructed me through my "growing up".

My favorite sentence is the last one. "These are the women of my world-the Mighty Queens of Freevile-who have led small lives of great consequence in a tiny place that we call home.

[Wrighty]

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danikl wrote:

The introduction could also be an introduction to my life. My Mom, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins and other members of the small town that I came from, who inspired and instructed me through my "growing up".

My favorite sentence is the last one. "These are the women of my world-the Mighty Queens of Freevile-who have led small lives of great consequence in a tiny place that we call home.

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Thanks for the reminder, that was a great line! One of many in this book. I wish I had written down more of them the first time through because now I have to go looking for them again. At least I know I will enjoy reading it!

[bookloverjb85]

I agree that this could be anybody's family.  You don't think of the fact that "famous" people go through the same things we do.  I liked that the introduction grabbed my attention and I wanted to know more about Amy's life.