DNF at 22 minutes. Not quite unopened, but close enough. Chirpy, conventional Mum-and-me opening wasn’t doing it any favors. I picked this up because she was in the Slits, but 1979 is a long time ago. ( )

A wonderful voice: humble, humourous, contentious, thoughtful. Albertine is unpretentiously aware and attentive to our urban and everyday objects, our very real world. Her story is gradually unrolled, assembled from memory, the barely preserved records from her parents’ divorce, and a recent kerfuffle at her mother’s deathbed. The disadvantages and low-expectations that trammelled women, our mothers’ generation and beyond, including the expectation to be “nice” are roundly disdained, confronted at every opportunity by the author’s feisty approach. (Of course: see punk, Skids, etc). That challenging disposition is a huge part of Albertine’s style, but her telling never becomes wearing. What could have become a harangue is always tempered by her humour and humanity. ( )

While not quite as high-spirited as her first memoir, Viv Albertine's "To Throw Away Unopened" is still a compelling read. Delving into her childhood and the lives of her parents, Albertine attempts to do something very difficult, which is to see her parents as people, not just as sources of joy or disappointment. An honest and sensitive attempt to come to terms with family and the past from a punk rock pioneer. ( )

To Throw Away Unopened
By Viv Albertine
2018
Faber & Faber

When Viv Albertine's mother passed on, she was left with the task of cleaning up her home and sorting through her belongings. She find a zipper bag with the words 'To throw away unopened' amongst her them, and so began the beginning of this wonderful memoir.

When her parents went through a child custody battle i the 1960s, the court encouraged each parent to keep a seperate journal, and both did. After both parents have died, Viv acquires both journals and begins to read them. They are shocking and chilling to her and leave her with even more unanswered questions.Viv's honest candor and upfront honesty about her viewpoints and emotions are admirable.

This memoir is a testimony to motherhood, and the strength of women. Throughout are many quotes by women, some humorous, some about empowerment. This is her journey and experiences being a mother to her daughter, as well as her experiences with her own mother.

Candid and absorbing, I found this book and Viv absolutely charming.

Across the board I generally don't like memoirs but never say never. I really like this one. Two girls (one the author) grow up in a highly dysfunctional family (aren't all memoirs about that?) but this book is so well written and objective that I embraced it. Mom, Dad and daughters all are on the autism spectrum with lots of baggage. Ms. Albertine and her sister have an epic fight over their dying mother's hospital bed. This is a book of self understanding as the author uses diaries from both parents. I just flat out love Albertine's insight and honesty. ( )