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Fairyland

A Memoir of My Father
4.07 goodreads logo

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( 4,481 ratings, 645 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Fairyland is a vibrant memoir by Alysia Abbott that chronicles her childhood in 1970s San Francisco with her father, Steve Abbott, a gay, single parent during a period when this was uncommon. Drawing on an impressive collection of her father's writings, Alysia reconstructs their life together, offering a poignant portrait of both a unique father-daughter relationship and a transformative era in the city’s history.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$4800

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This memoir will resonate with readers interested in LGBTQ+ history, family stories, and social change in 20th-century America. It offers insight into San Francisco's cultural and political landscape during a pivotal era, making it ideal for those who appreciate personal narratives intertwined with wider historical contexts.

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Finalist for a Lambda Literary Award and a San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In this vibrant memoir, Alysia Abbott recounts growing up in 1970s San Francisco with Steve Abbott, a gay, single father during an era when that was rare. Reconstructing their time together from a remarkable cache of Steve's writings, Alysia gives us an unforgettable portrait of a tumultuous, historic period in San Francisco as well as an exquisitely moving account of a father's legacy and a daughter's love.

Fairyland is more than just a memoir. It is a touching exploration of familial bonds, memory, and the personal history shared between a father and daughter.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised by critics and notable figures, Fairyland is recognised as a compassionate, clear-eyed memoir that transcends a personal story to illuminate an entire community and time. Terry Gross of NPR's Fresh Air expressed gratitude for the book, while Alexandra Styron of the New York Times Book Review lauded its compassion. The New Yorker highlighted its blend of humour and sweetness, and Alison Bechdel described it as a deeply moving love story that reshapes notions of family. Sofia Coppola called it a sweet and unique tale of a girl and her father.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780393348903

Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 June 2014

Country: United States

Imprint: WW Norton & Co

Illustration: 10 illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 142.0mm

Height: 211.0mm

Weight: 355g

Pages: 352

About the Author

Alysia Abbott's work has appeared in Real Simple, Salon, and TheAtlantic.com. She is a graduate of the New School's MFA program and was a contributing producer at WNYC radio. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts with her family.

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