Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1206688 in Books
• Published on: 2001-01-01
• Binding: Hardcover

Customer Reviews

A great story about a great woman
I loved this book, and am sure I will enjoy reading it again at some point in the future. Evelyn Ryan had 10 children and an alcoholic husband, who managed to drink away a significant proportion of his earnings, leaving her barely able to feed her family, never mind provide for other costs (unforeseen and known). One of the most inspirational aspects of this book is Evelyn's attitude - she doesn't appear to have wasted much time feeling sorry for herself or ranting and raving at her weak husband, rather she just gets on with finding a way to remove barriers and to do the best by her family. As the title suggests, a significant proportion of the family's income comes from Evelyn's skill and success in entering (and winning) competitions - from cars and large cash prizes, to appliances and suitable Christmas gifts, she wins them all. Her daughter obviously inherited her talent with words, for she has written this account of growing up (poor but essentially happy) in a large family in 1950s and 1960s small town America in a way which has you completely hooked - from the little humorous events which make you laugh out loud, to the heart-warming moments which almost bring tears to your eyes - a great story about a great woman.

A moving and entertaining memoir with depth
This is one of the best family memoirs I've ever read. I laughed, cried and cheered this woman of courage, wit and faith. Why watch a C+ movie? Read the A+ book for the real Evelyn who was so much deeper than just a chipper housewife with a knack for winning contests.

A Prize Winning Story
I've read this book, I own a copy. Aside from being an excellent memoir of life in the smalltown Midwest of the 50's and 60's, it also gives memorable views of other things, large families, the experience of living with an alcoholic, contesting, but more than anything, it speaks to being able to find success in a life that seems hopeless. Evelyn Ryan was a winner because she decided she would be one and she passed that on to her children. It is hard to read of the struggles and the abuse the father inflicted on his family, but it is joyous to read of the triumph of the human spirit in such conditions.