If you thought your family was dysfunctional or that you had a tough childhood, this book will make you think twice. The author presents her amazing childhood full of homelessness, neglect, near sexual abuse and disappointments in a way that allows the reader to make their own judgments about the adults in her life. I must say I disagree with a previous reviewer who said that she doesn't accurately represent the despair of a child of an alcoholic. She does. Every chapter in the book makes you cringe or cry or sigh for the Walls children. However, what makes this book great is her obvious love and admiration for her parents despite their terrible, destructive shortcomings. At times you hate her parents, and then suddenly you are in awe of their quirkiness and unique take on life. So, this book is indeed truthful in that the ones who hurt us the most are often those who we love the most.