One Sentence Summary:
She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb is a powerful and moving novel that follows the life of Dolores Price as she navigates through trauma, loss, and self-discovery.
Book Genre:
Fiction, Coming-of-age, Contemporary literature
Main Topic of the Book:
The main topic of She’s Come Undone is the often painful journey of self-discovery and redemption as experienced by the protagonist Dolores Price.
Key Ideas:
- Importance of self-acceptance and forgiveness
- Impact of childhood trauma and its lasting effects
- Power dynamics in relationships
- Overcoming societal expectations and finding one’s true self
- The resilience of the human spirit
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary:
Part 1 – Childhood:
Dolores Price, a young girl growing up in a dysfunctional family, struggles with her sense of self and body image. She faces constant criticism and neglect from her emotionally distant mother and is abused by her father. The only source of support and love in her life is her grandmother, but she passes away, leaving Dolores feeling abandoned and alone.
Part 2 – Adolescence:
As Dolores enters adolescence, she continues to face numerous challenges. She experiences sexual abuse by her brother’s friend and later becomes pregnant as a teenager. Dolores is forced to have an abortion, and her relationship with her family deteriorates further. She also begins to struggle with her weight and turns to food as a source of comfort.
Part 3 – Young Adulthood:
Dolores moves to California to start a new life, but her past traumas continue to haunt her. She struggles with her weight and engages in self-destructive behaviors, including drug use and an abusive relationship. However, she also discovers a passion for photography and begins to find some solace in expressing herself through her art.
Part 4 – Middle Adulthood:
Dolores returns home to care for her mother, who has developed cancer. As she reflects on her past, she begins to come to terms with her demons and starts to work on forgiving herself and others. She also reconnects with her childhood friend and becomes involved in social activism, finding a sense of purpose and belonging.
Key Takeaways:
- Self-acceptance and forgiveness are crucial for healing and moving forward
- Our past traumas and experiences can shape our present, but we have the power to overcome them
- Relationships, both positive and negative, can greatly impact our lives and self-image
- Embracing our true selves and rejecting societal expectations can lead to growth and fulfillment
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
Wally Lamb is an American writer, educator, and activist. He has a Master of Fine Arts in Writing degree from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has worked as a high school teacher and advocate for women in prison. She’s Come Undone, his first novel, was an Oprah’s Book Club selection and became a bestseller.
Target Audience:
She’s Come Undone is a book that can appeal to a wide range of readers, particularly those who are interested in stories of self-discovery, growth, and resilience. It may also resonate with individuals who have experienced trauma and are on a journey towards healing and self-acceptance.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
She’s Come Undone was published by Pocket Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster) in 1992.