Rememberings

Another Essential Expose', Breaking FREE of Religions, as a Piece of Our Spiritual Evolution...Since, in her interviews, Sinead has been implying this book is more of an expose' on the influence of the Catholic church, turning Ireland into a pervasively abusive theocracy, I have to say I was a bit disappointed that this book is not that. The descriptions of Sinead's early abuse at the hands of her mother are heartbreakingly hard to read, though she doesn't explicitly tie that abuse to any church influence. Still, she does discuss some of her public protests, including the notorious SNL Pope Picture-ripping Incident in 1992. I wish she were clearer at the time that the SNL incident was in protest of how religions, born not of any true, compassionate, invisible deity, but pulled from misogynist men's control freak butts, give permission to so many willingly complicit monsters.She mentions a short stint at the Magdalene Laundries. Sinead missed her opportunity to educate people of the CENTURIES of abuse of "fallen Women" at the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland, (aka the Magdalene ASYLUMS!) where, in 1993, a mass grave containing 155 corpses was uncovered on the convent grounds of one of those laundries. The religious orders which operated the laundries shamelessly still refuse to contribute to the Irish government's compensation program for the Laundries' victims. (Look it up.)As a fan, I truly found the background stories behind her music interesting.Though sparsely mentioned, to me, the most important part of this book is the continuance of the trend of exposing religious hypocrisy to the disinfectant of sunlight.From Leah Remini to the Amish, the trend of FINALLY coming out from behind secretive church doors to speak the TRUTHS of institutionally pervasive, pervertedly accepted ABUSE is an essential part of our Spiritual evolution.As a SURVIVOR of a carjacking, kidnapping, rape and mugging by a dark stranger on January 5th, 1986 myself, I completely empathize with Sinead for still grasping at an invisible God figure who, realistically, abandoned her, for Spiritual comfort, at this point in her PTSD. Though I hope she eventually moves onto the ability to find comfort via FAITH IN HERSELF.Governments who allow religions to turn their countries into theocracies would do well to heed Ireland's lesson: Absolute theocratic power CRIPPLES and CORRUPTS Souls - ABSOLUTELY."Compassion Is the Greatest Strength."I say, "EVOLVE To LOVE."- DAFS, Author of "On Dreams and Bright Stuff," available on Amazon.

I read this book on retreat. I was fifty pages through when I went, and finished the rest my first night there.Compulsively readable, yet not a happy read.What an amazing life—one riddled with abuse and mental illness—both on various levels.Back when her music was popular in the states, I really admired her (and still do). I related to her sense of angst and anger back then. She seemed like a perfect figurehead for me—and let’s face it, her voice is one of a kind. Powerful and ethereal. Honestly, after reading this book, I think maybe she wasn’t angry enough!Highly recommended.And while this may be an unpopular opinion, I always thought it was total BS that her entire career got derailed when she ripped up a photo of the Pope on SNL. Once you read the book, her reasons for doing so are vindicated.This is America. It was just a photograph.When you have the misfortune of such a life as hers (I’m calling it that; she never does), it’s amazing this is all she did!Some reviewers say it’s a shoddy and uneven book. A ridiculous assessment in my view. The book is called “Rememberings” and that’s precisely what this is. It almost reads as snippets of conversation you might have reminiscing life with a dear, long lost friend. The style of writing perfectly fits her in my opinion.It’s certainly not a sugar coated history and it’s definitely holding nothing back. When you pick up an autobiography, I presume that is precisely what you’re hoping for.

Quite a read. Rags to riches and fame to mental illness to incredible creativity. My heart goes out to her and her family. There is so much here, but also, so much that’s obviously been left out. All, I can really say is that I’m glad she was able to share this. Having been around mental illness, I sympathize. Having watched the music industry offering it’s support to her over the years and how many have come to realize what she was trying so hard to tell us way back when. Well worth it.

If you want to understand who O'Connor is and what her motivations are, this book lays it out bare for you to examine. It's very rare for an artist to be so honest and to reveal her vulnerabilities, but this book made me understand her more and it endeared me to her. She's a good person who needs to be understood. This book is the first step in that understanding.

An absolutely riveting read , a whole new perspective on someone who even she admits everyone thinks is crazy, shes a beautiful soul and writes honestly and with great humor .

I have not read it all as yet, but it is beautiful. I would recommend it for anyone who has known abuse or trauma from a young age. Sínéad is as honest,warm,loving and lovely as I have ever known her to be.A brave, sensitive and loving human being. A wonderful book.

I bought the kindle edition and finished it in two nights. It is literally impossible to put down. There is no ghost writer here, just her own words told in her own way. It truly is an extraordinary story, and written as she talks. Parts of it is laugh out loud comedy and parts so tragic , it leaves you righteously angry. She bravely exposes the Catholic church for it's hypocrisy , whilst at the same time retaining a spirituality that is authentic . Her writing is very honest, nothing is held back. She comes across as a little too trusting with some people, but this is tempered with a gutsy defensiveness and determination. Much of the emotion comes across in her music and songwriting, which again is devastatingly poignant and honest.

This book is a rag-bag of musings, stories, put -downs and national stereoypes. It's about as far from a coventional autobiography as you could get (which is why I bought it), but the problem is that you get put off by the fact that the singer just projects her problems onto everyone around her and expects people to 'get it'. And for someone with known mental issues she's obviously taken far too many drugs and had too many 'flings'. I ended up not liking her at all.You can see that she has a gift for lyrics and short stories, but she can't put a comprehensive book together. I felt short-changed.