From the moment I considered the weight of the cover and title of Gwen Lamont‘s memoir, I knew it was going to require a strong constitution. It wasn’t going to be a light read.
Gwen’s story of growing up in a hardscrabble, chaotic and abusive family is brutal, but her writing is sensational. I plowed through her story, and it continues to haunt me. Her parents made unending horrible decisions, learned from their own upbringing which was fuelled by alcohol, desperation, and poverty.
This memoir titled The View From Coffin Ridge: A Childhood Exhumed works so well because Gwen shares the horrors of her upbringing with honesty and sympathy for her parents, allowing for the story to unfold free of judgement.
“I devoured Gwen’s memoir, needing to know how the next misstep resolved itself”
As the awful decision-making of her parents escalates, I wanted her to lash out at her mother and father for their terrible judgement, but she doesn’t. Instead, she tells the story of her life growing up poor and innocent, not looking for pity or vengeance. Throughout, Gwen manages to find moments of tenderness and well-intentioned efforts that her father made and gives space to his best intentions.
Gwen’s resilience and strength to move forward is profound. Her willingness to confront her past and to share her story is an act of incredible courage and selflessness.
Today, Gwen is a social worker and entrepreneur, as well as an outspoken survivor of parents who either didn’t know any better or thought they could ‘game’ the system in dangerous and careless ways.
As haunting as her story is, it is a cautionary tale of how behaviour is learned and can transcend generations and her profound strength is in being able to confront her past and share it openly and honestly. I’m not sure most people would come out on the other side as understanding or as complete as Gwen.
I devoured Gwen’s memoir, needing to know how the next misstep resolved itself, or how the abuses and difficulties multiplied. I can’t imagine the childhood that Gwen endured, nor can I imagine the depth of forgiveness that she allows her parents.
Gwen is an incredibly talented writer and truly an inspirational individual to be where she is today with the courage to have shared her harrowing life story.
Gwen’s journey has taken her through southwestern Ontario starting in Toronto and now residing near Owen Sound in Annan, where she owns and operates the Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery.
You can find A Childhood Exhumed at local bookshops including the Kimberley General Store Jessica’s Book Nook in Thornbury, Speaking Volumes in Markdale, The Bookstore in Wiarton, Curiosity House Books in Creemore, The Book Hive in Meaford, Great Books Williamsford Mill, Larkspur Books in Southampton, Readers Haven in Tobermory, The Giddy Goblin in Hanover, Shops @ 84 Main in Lion’s Head, Ginger Press Bookshop in Owen Sound, Grey Roots, and Coffin Ridge Winery in Meaford.
Written by Carey Low
