Kitchen Privileges by Mary Higgins Clark

Title: Kitchen Privileges
Author: Mary Higgins Clark
# pages: 207
Date published: 2002
Genre: Nonfiction (memoir)
Challenge(s): July Book Blowout, In Their Shoes Reading Challenge, 888 (hardbacks on my shelf)

Rating:

(good)

First Sentence:

“My first conscious memory is of being three years old and looking down at my new baby brother with a mixture of curiosity and distress.”

Synopsis: Even as a young girl, growing up in the Bronx, Mary Higgins Clark knew she wanted to be a writer, The gift of storytelling was a part of her Irish ancestry, so it followed naturally that she would later use her sharp eye, keen intelligence, and inquisitive nature to create stories.

Along with all Americans, citizens of the Bronx suffered during the Depression. So when Mary's father died, her mother opened the family home to boarders and placed a discreet sign next to the front door that read, "Furnished Rooms. Kitchen Privileges."

The family's struggle to make ends meet; her days as a scholarship student in an exclusive girls academy; the death of her beloved older brother in World War II; her marriage to Warren Clark; writing stories at the kitchen table; finally selling the first one for one hundred dollars, after six years and forty rejections -- all these experiences figure into Kitchen Privileges.

Her husband's untimely death left her a widowed mother of five young children. Determined to care for her family and to make a career for herself, she wrote scripts for a radio show. In her spare time she began writing novels. Where Are The Children? became an international bestseller and launched her career.

When asked if she might consider giving up writing for a life of leisure, Mary has replied, "Never. To be happy for a year, win the lottery. To be happy for life, do what you love." (from B&N.com).

Random Thoughts: I enjoyed reading about Mary Higgins Clark’s life. But, I really would have liked to read more about her writing! That part of her life seems to be, not exactly glossed over, but a little lacking in the details. But, overall, it is an interesting story.

Let’s give people a variety of opinions! If you've reviewed this book (or a book by this author), leave me a link to your review in the comments and I'll link to your review, too!