[.ca] The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised ... (ISBN 0743211227)

I wish this was my mother!:
My sister recommended this book to me several years ago, but I was too busy to seek out a copy. When she mentioned it again recently, I got it from the library and buried myself in the bedroom for 2 days to read it. This book is so good, so worthwhile, so funny and smart, that I'm amazed it didn't get more attention when it came out. I'll buy my own copy somehow, and keep it on the shelf next to EXPECTING ADAM, another memoir that inspires with incredible love, unexpected humor, and intelligence. Buy it, read it, share it, keep it.

Highly Recommend:
I thought Terry Ryan overall did an exceptional job sharing her mother with us. Not only is Prize Winner inspirational, it brings back Americana in the 50's. Her narrative could have been written with a bit more creativity. (Having A few less jingles would not have lessened the essence). I was intrigued with Evelyn's capricious style of handling the unexpected challenges that life can throw you. Her imagination and creativity was a true gift, a proven affirmation that you can find and focus on the positive, not just see the negative in life. Terry did a great job capturing this in her book. Prize Winner also enlightens you on the strategy used in advertising back then. This is in response to June 4, 2004, from a reader in Maryland: I understand questioning Evelyn's ethical standards regarding entering contest's with false names and teaching her children how to lie. You were harsh and unfair though, with your comments regarding her children and marriage. In the 50's you did not have women shelters or crisis centers. Majority of women were not trained to be professionals, capable of being the breadwinners of the family. Back then, babies and marriages weren't as disposable as they are today. You can't change what was, you can only learn from it to move on. Of course Evelyn made some mistakes, who hasn't! This story offered much more though. Just think, the memories written in the books to come will be titled: "My Life in Daycare", or "The Many Partners of my Parents".

Dysfunction made cute:
As I got further into this book, I started to really dislike this woman. Already living on a shoestring with an abusive, jealous alcoholic who kept a full 30% of his pay to cover liquor, she goes on to have 10 kids all of which for a long while slept in one room. If it weren't for family, they'd have little if any food so what do they start to rely on? Contest prizes. Insipid, stupid verses she enters - multiple entries - under fake names, name variations, etc. She 'stuffed the box' so to speak. She earned the down payment on a house by entering a contest (open to kids) under her son's name and then coached the son on how to respond to questions about 'his' entry. She saves wrappers all over her house and finally, inevitably, frequents the town dump. In spite of their situation, I had little respect for her methods and at times, was glad when I heard she hadn't won. Really glad. This was a highly dysfunctional family. I hate to dis someone's Mom, but the author put this story out there. If she felt that her Mom was a hero, then good for her, but to me, I would have kept this 'sweet' story to myself had it been my family.

Beyond Extraordinary!!:
Who can read this story without eventually loving Evelyn Ryan and her brood? What a wonderfully rich, heartwarming tribute Terry Ryan has paid to her mother. Evelyn was a woman for the ages. She epitomized what faith, hope, and incredible courage is all about. She tackled adversity with humor and an unwavering positive nature. In reading this story, I found that Evelyn's sad and disheartening times didn't seem as sad or as disheartening because she was the kind of woman who quickly picked herself up, dusted off, and moved forward to the next adventure. Those of us who read her story did the same right along with her without bitterness or regret. What a magnificent gift that is. What a woman!

A story of family love:
This is the story of Evelyn Ryan, a housewife and mother of 10 children who supplements the sometimes unsteady income of her alcoholic husband with contest winnings during the 1950's. She has a special talent for creating winning slogans, poems and jingles and wins many smaller prizes including kitchen appliances and cash but occasionally strikes it big wining large sweepstakes prizes, bailing out the family's financial situation on more than one occasion. Written by Evelyn's daughter, it warmed my heart to read about the love that was shared in this large family. No, this was not a perfect family (are there any?) But in spite of the financial challenges that faced this family, the enthusiasm, optimism, and spirit exhibited by the mom and passed on to the children are truly characteristics to be admired.