Jennifer D. (Jennmarie68) reviewed I'm Perfect, You're Doomed: Tales from a Jehovah's Witness Upbringing on + 217 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Kyria Abrahams was born and raised as a Jehovah's Witness. For anyone familiar with the religion, her upbringing was fairly normal. She was not allowed to celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any other holiday. She was also raised "knowing" that Christ's new way of things was on it's way and that the world was going to end at any time. Until her disfellowship she didn't think that she could survive without the hand of Jesus guiding her. This book takes an almost cynical look at her life. It also is complete with a glossary of common Jehovah's Witness terms the rest of us may not be familiar with.
I think the book was great. I lived part of my life with my grandmother and aunt who were Jehovah's Witnesses. Many of the things Kyria talked about in her book brought back some memories that I had all but forgotten. It was like I was taking a weird walk down memory lane. I think this was a great look at what life is like as a Witness, granted I had some "insider knowledge". Mrs. Abrahams uses wit and humor to explain some drastic events in her life. I loved the story, liked the writing, and I really connected with the characters. Overall it was a very good story!
I think the book was great. I lived part of my life with my grandmother and aunt who were Jehovah's Witnesses. Many of the things Kyria talked about in her book brought back some memories that I had all but forgotten. It was like I was taking a weird walk down memory lane. I think this was a great look at what life is like as a Witness, granted I had some "insider knowledge". Mrs. Abrahams uses wit and humor to explain some drastic events in her life. I loved the story, liked the writing, and I really connected with the characters. Overall it was a very good story!
Sheryl (Momof2boys) reviewed I'm Perfect, You're Doomed: Tales from a Jehovah's Witness Upbringing on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
This book definitely had it's good points and bad points. I really enjoyed getting to know what is was like to grow up as a Jehovah's Witness and to learn more about what their actual beliefs are. I had empathy for a girl who was not allowed to play with other friends and who was often ostracized from school because she was not allowed to celebrate birthdays and holidays.
I did feel, however, that the author was a rather spoiled and selfish "adult." Someone who cursed out her parents, cried and screamed and even moved out every time she didn't get her way. Chapter after Chapter details how she asked yet another friend to take her in because she was unhappy at home. These parts of the book made me feel less and less empathetic with the main character as the book went on. I still don't understand how someone who was so worried about bring disfellowshipped could be OK with calling her mother a bitch and cursing out her father. I was also not impressed with how the book ended.
I did feel, however, that the author was a rather spoiled and selfish "adult." Someone who cursed out her parents, cried and screamed and even moved out every time she didn't get her way. Chapter after Chapter details how she asked yet another friend to take her in because she was unhappy at home. These parts of the book made me feel less and less empathetic with the main character as the book went on. I still don't understand how someone who was so worried about bring disfellowshipped could be OK with calling her mother a bitch and cursing out her father. I was also not impressed with how the book ended.
Sari Lynn G. (sari-lynn) -
Helpful Score: 1
Maybe it's me, but I didn't find Kyria Abrahams memoir of growing up in a family of Jehovah's Witnesses to be funny. Honest, yes - she owns up to her foolish choices in life, from getting married in order to get out of her parents' house, to having an affair to get out of her marriage. She lets the reader in on how her limited decision making ability works (or doesn't). But I didn't find it at all funny.
Cyn F. (Cyn-Sama) -
Helpful Score: 1
I am not a Jehovah's Witness, reformed or otherwise, but I am a Rhode Islander, and a recovering gothy-goth, so this book rang true for me on many different levels. I've dated the unemployed musicians who's biggest thrill in life is going to AS220, I know that no one else will appreciate my love for the Cure's Disintegration.
It was these things and more, that sucked me in, but the quality of the writing, and the authors ability to laugh at herself, while looking back at what were some pretty horrific times, made this book a true treat to read.
It was these things and more, that sucked me in, but the quality of the writing, and the authors ability to laugh at herself, while looking back at what were some pretty horrific times, made this book a true treat to read.
Elizabeth R. (esjro) -
I'm Perfect, You're Doomed is Kyria Abrahams' memoir of growing up as a Jehovah's Witness, and how her religion shaped her (or rather haunted her) as an adult. Abrahams is now a standup comic, and it shows - her writing is full of snarky and sarcastic humor.
Although some of the problems Kyria faces are a result of being a Jehovah's Witness, she also struggles with drugs, alcohol, self-esteem, and a dysfunctional family. Her recollections of learning Logo in the 'gifted program' and the Snorks will bring a chuckle to those in their early thirties. I was also amazed to learn that many of the things I was told to beware of as a Baptist (e.g. backward masking in music, Ouija boards, and The Smurfs) are also things Jehovah's Witnesses avoid, despit the fact that the Baptists think the JW's are a cult! (I am sure the feeling is mutual).
Despite the tone of dark humor throughout the book, ultimately the book left me feeling sad for the author, not because she couldn't celebrate her birthday necessarily, but because her story proves that religion cannot shelter young people from the harsh realities of life.
Although some of the problems Kyria faces are a result of being a Jehovah's Witness, she also struggles with drugs, alcohol, self-esteem, and a dysfunctional family. Her recollections of learning Logo in the 'gifted program' and the Snorks will bring a chuckle to those in their early thirties. I was also amazed to learn that many of the things I was told to beware of as a Baptist (e.g. backward masking in music, Ouija boards, and The Smurfs) are also things Jehovah's Witnesses avoid, despit the fact that the Baptists think the JW's are a cult! (I am sure the feeling is mutual).
Despite the tone of dark humor throughout the book, ultimately the book left me feeling sad for the author, not because she couldn't celebrate her birthday necessarily, but because her story proves that religion cannot shelter young people from the harsh realities of life.
Leo T. reviewed I'm Perfect, You're Doomed: Tales from a Jehovah's Witness Upbringing on + 1775 more book reviews
The author wandered far from her upbringing, being a stand-up comedian today. These are earnest people that I admired when I was a kid because they are willing to spend a lot of time in public and take a lot of abuse. In the early 1960s there was a brief story in the Los Angeles Times reporting that several had been sentenced (to Siberia) for importing tracts into the USSR.
I was told several times that judgement day would arrive when the WWI generation was gone and that has not happened. As this book has no index, I cannot readily see what explanation the Witnesses offer for that prophecy. It has to do with Armaggedon and the devil coming to the Earth in 1914.
Ms. Abrahams does completely share details of this lifestyle and her people. I found the few pages that I read to be mostly depressing, but that is just me. Chapter 14 on her experiences in calling on homes in the assigned territory was excellent since we all experience such calls. Ms. Abrahams tells her story well. Reading the glossary offers a good overview.
No index and thus my rating is reduced by one star.
I was told several times that judgement day would arrive when the WWI generation was gone and that has not happened. As this book has no index, I cannot readily see what explanation the Witnesses offer for that prophecy. It has to do with Armaggedon and the devil coming to the Earth in 1914.
Ms. Abrahams does completely share details of this lifestyle and her people. I found the few pages that I read to be mostly depressing, but that is just me. Chapter 14 on her experiences in calling on homes in the assigned territory was excellent since we all experience such calls. Ms. Abrahams tells her story well. Reading the glossary offers a good overview.
No index and thus my rating is reduced by one star.
