Searching for the Shire: One Woman's Quest to Find Her Voice

Florence grew up in a small town on Long Island during the feminist movement. She struggled to figure out where her place was in the world. Growing up in a dysfunctional family and unable to achieve her educational goals, she believed her only option was to get married. Sheltered within the institution of marriage, she thought it was a safe place to hide. However, the outside world has a way of creeping in. After thirty years, she is faced with a divorce and the inevitable. She had to make it on her own. For anyone who has ever wanted to understand codependency, this is a great book. Rather than reading something clinical on the subject, the reader "lives" the codependent's life through the book. The narrative unfolds naturally and flows well. Learning about the misery of the author's life disheartens the reader. Still, the message about care and self becomes evident as the story progresses. I recommend Searching for the Shire by Florence St. John for anyone who suspects they are codependent and anyone with alcoholic family members or friends. Seeing how alcoholism changes the people around the alcoholic helps in understanding codependent people and relationships... Karen Walpole for Readers' Favorite