Married to a man with violent tendencies and a severe drinking problem, Evelyn Ryan managed to keep her 10 children fed and housed during the 1950s and '60s by entering — and winning — contests for rhymed jingles and advertising slogans of 25 words or less. This engaging and quick-witted biography written by daughter Terry relates how Evelyn submitted multiple entries, under various names, for contests sponsored by Dial soap, Lipton soup, Paper Mate pens, Kleenex Tissues and any number of other manufacturers, and won a wild assortment of prizes, including toasters, bikes, basketballs, and all-you-can-grab supermarket shopping sprees. Between contests, Ryan provides dry-eyed glimpses of her father's violence, family medical emergencies and the crushing poverty of everyday life, showcasing the resilience of a mother who, despite her own problems, spurned television's Queen for a Day for making victims of its contestants. The result is a quirky, heartwarming celebration of one woman's resourcefulness, and of the wacky enticements of 1950s consumer culture.
10 comments:
Awesome. I've heard good things about this. Can't wait to get it!
I must confess that I picked this book because I already own it. It has been on our bookshelf for years, but neither of us knows where it came from. It is touted as "Erma Bombeck meets Ogden Nash," so it should be fun.
Oh, I wanted to read this! Good pick! When do we discuss?
Dec. 15, isn't it?
Is that date set in stone?
Don't worry, we'll wait for you if need be.
In case anyone was wondering, I was poking fun at myself in that last comment.
I know it's hard to tell, with how surly I am sometimes, when I'm joking.
A "stone" joke? Oh, good. I wasn't sure. I thought George had the copyright on puns around here ...
My copy finally arrived in the mail. Hooray!
I am liking this book!
Post a Comment