I Have Arrived Before My Words: Autobiographical Writings of Homeless Women

Rating:
Summary: Homeless or Not?
Review: I Have Arrived Before My Words was an eye-opener for me because never before have read such in depth memoirs of homeless people. Wait - did I just say homeless? The title clearly reads I Have Arrived Before My Words: Autobiographical Writings of Homeless Women but this book's central theme was not about the homeless, even though it is titled so. This book is simply a collection of the lives of different women from unfortunate backgrounds.
My definition of homelessness is to live without a roof over one's head. Some of the women weren't even homeless. There are women in this book who've always had some form of shelter and therefore cannot, in my opinion, be considered homeless. This book seems more like a picture-less soap opera; the women in I Have Arrived Before My Words have gone through excruciatingly painful situations, both physically and mentally, from abusive partners, loveless relationships, and getting shot. Regrettably, the authors either did a poor job titling this book or focusing on homelessness itself.
It's a very good, interesting read. I've learned much more about women in general from this book and even somewhat feel the pain that they've had to endure. I've received a sense of their struggles and also gained respect for these courageous women who had to tolerate so much hurt. If you're looking for a read about homelessness - and romance, women, illness, depression plus more - this book may be for you. But if you're looking for a book strictly about the lives of real homeless individuals, look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: new meaning of "homelessness"
Review: "I Have Arrived Before My Words" has given me a new meaning to the word "homelessness". Before reading the book, I thought homeless people are all dirty, stinky and lazy. All they do is sit on the street and ask people for 35 cents without even trying to find a job. However, the five women who wrote their memoirs in the book, Ann, Dionne, Gayle, Georgia and Angie are all very unique and special in different ways from what I used to think as homeless. They may have made serious mistakes in their lives ( e.g. drug abuse, alcoholic, teenage pregnancy) and they might be misfortunate ( HIV positive, breast cancer), but they all worked tremendously hard to overcome their misery. They found ways to heal themselves, get into workforce again although they cannot get very decent jobs because of their educational level. They all tried anyway. In the book, not only you will find yourself very lucky to have a warm home, three meals everyday, to be loved by your family, you will also think you are very lucky to have a purpose in life.

Rating:
Summary: Does not live up to the hype everyone portrays it to be
Review: After reading the title of the book, I assumed that the book would be the stories and accounts of homeless women and their path to homeless; I was wrong. I Have Arrived Before My Words is a collection of the memoirs of 5 homeless women and their emotions and memories from what they have experienced in their lives. Personally, I don't believe that homeless people are only drunks, drug addicts, have diseases like AIDS/HIV, unpleasant smelling, filthy, lazy and unmotivated, however, if you are one of those under the influence of societies stereotypes, then maybe this book will be an eye-opener and dramatically change your views of homeless people. Reading the memoirs of these women can make you a little frustrated, but at least give the book a chance with an open mind and unbiased heart. Maybe you will become homeless one day.

Rating:
Summary: an eye opening experience
Review: Before reading the book I Have Arrived Before My Words: Autobiographical Writings of Homeless Women I had a really distorted view on why people are homeless. I used to think just pure laziness was the reason for homelessness, but after reading these autobiographies I have come to realize that there are deeper and more psychological reasons behind homelessness in America. I used to look past homeless people on the streets, because I would feel that someone who is just sitting around all day living off the government wasn't worth my time; however, after reading this book I now look at the homeless in a whole new way. I no longer just look past them, but instead I look at them while telling myself not to judge because as I Have Arrived Before My Words has taught me there is a story behind every face.

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Rating:
Summary: A door opens
Review: I enjoyed reading this book many times. I am using this book for an English class I am taking and I have had to read the memoirs an analyze them in a few different ways. The whole idea of the book is wonderful to me because the editors were reaching out to people who are often ignored. I say reaching out because they spent hours doing writing workshops with these women, helping these women to explore their innermost feelings and experiences. Only one of the memoirs in the book was difficult to read and fully understand at first because of that particular woman's writing style. The rest of the memoirs were insightful and heartfelt writings about each woman's life and experiences that she has had. The editors also wrote great and helpful commentaries on each woman, helping the reader see a different side to these women. If you are looking for an interesting and deep book, this one is for you.

Rating:
Summary: It will make you feel like a part of their lives
Review: I Have Arrived Before My Words brought a new meaning of homelessness to me. From this book, I now interpret homelessness as mental and emotional state rather than a physical state. These five women's memoirs were very touching, for I felt as is I was there to experience their hardships with them. Each woman had a very different story to tell about sex, addictions, alcohol, drugs, abuse, etc, but they all had a similar struggle in life. The autobiographies in this book are the complete opposite of what I expected, so I now see homeless people in a more respectful way.


Rating:
Summary: This book is a very insightful book about homeless women.
Review: I HAVE ARRIVED BEFORE MY WORDS is a book about five women brought together to illustrate to the world through life experiences how life is difficult as a person who is homeless and a woman. As you read the book you'll feel sympathy for the women who go through their lives with no money, no food, and basically no one to help them but themselves. You will ask yourself questions as to why and how people live their lives the way they do. You will try and not look at the future as a person on the streets searching and asking for food and money. This book is a realization of the different side of being homeless. We usually picture the homeless as alcohol and drug abusers, rapists, and prostitutes when in reality they are courageous. The women in the book live the same lives as we do. What makes them different from us is that their lives are struggles and the homeless are more brave than we are. They once had a family, a roof over their heads, food on the table, and clothes that kept them warm. The basic difference you will find between yourself and these women is the type of life we each live. We live in a materialistic world, where money is the most important factor for survival. For the women in this book survivial is more important than even money. You will find that these women go through serious mental illnesses, physical illnesses, abuse, drugs, and neglect. You will come to realize there is another world outside the world we, the well-off and the rich, live in. - D.A.

Rating:
Summary: Great Reading Material
Review: I Have Arrived Before My Words is a collection of memoirs of five homeless women. It contains stories of drug abuse, parental neglect, sexual abuse, mental illness, etc. Each memoir is not quite the same, and each women brings a different "light" towards the topic of homelessness. After reading, I Have Arrived Before My Words I never took into account of how and exactly why people were homeless. This book showed that it's a series of trials and tribulations that a homeless person may go through. It is not only because one is poor. Also, after each of the memoirs is a discussion written by either Deborah Pugh or Jeanie Tietjen. They provide more information and their own insight of each women. Overall, I think you should take the time to read this book. It's not long, and it's a great collection of memoirs of homeless women.

Rating:
Summary: Essential Reading Material
Review: I Have Arrived Before My Words is a collection of writings depicting the trials and tribulations of five homeless women. These memoirs are poignant and give insight as to how one lands herself into a situation such as homelessness. The memoirs of these women will move you; and if not, they will at the very least provide a new perspective on homelessness. While this book may not do that for all readers, it is worth reading if simply to reconnect with this group of our population. I recommend the anthology I Have Arrived Before My Words to all readers.

Rating:
Summary: Must read!
Review: I Have Arrived Before My Words is an autobiographical writing of homeless women. This book contains five memoirs written by five homeless women, by the name of Gayle, Angie, Dionne, Ann, and Georgia. In these written memoirs these women are able to let us understand and experience there hardships that they have been placed in throughout their lives, which has been a factor in what has cause them to become homeless. Every single one of these women have been victims of abuse in sometime in their life, so the ability to be able to talk about it is incredible. The ability to write about there experiences just interests me because by doing so they are able to cope with the issues from the past. As said "The first step to recovery is to admit that something is wrong" this is what these women have done. This is a great book and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone to read. I Have Arrived Before My Words has given a sense of understanding how easily some people have become homeless. This is an awesome book! Two thumbs up!