Wonderfully Dysfunctional: It Must be Genetic

This story has turned my life upside down, the brutal honesty of the author is incredible and anyone who is lost or looking for hope should read this book. The author has to visit her ailing grandma in a nursing home, after each visit memories are remembered and a picture of how she spent her youth and grew up are portrayed. This book will question your relations with your family and close friends and is your family really dysfunctional or are they just normal. The truth and honesty of the author in the way she feels and the emotion you feel coming through is first rate.  Also the thought and dedication of the author shines through. Reading this book will make you realise that your family traits and eccentrics are the same in any other family apart from the way that there are perceived.   The other message that comes through is through adversity the family unit pulls together and is there when you really need them. An excellent read and very emotional charged, with a very open and frank account of the authors life, her relationship with her family and the fact that who you have around you should be treasured because once they have gone you cannot replace or have that time with them again.

Wonderfully Amusing Wonderfully Dysfunctional by Buffi Neal is exceptional even in its generality. What I mean is the memoirs are like reading the stories of numerous families living segments of Buffi Neal’s life but when reading it; all became unique. At times, I kept asking myself “what will happen next?” while in other circumstances; I just knew that reality had set in. Divorce, laughter, tears and many crazy moments had a way to stir up my emotions. Wanting a “normal” life? When reading Wonderfully Dysfunctional the answer came to me… What is and who is living this “normal” life?  Without prejudice but was I sort of mocking the writer when I laughed at some her descriptive moments about the whole thing being genetic? Couldn’t help myself but it is a real page-turner no matter how many times I raised my eyebrows at certain scenes and how much I sort of smirked at others. I do recommend it as a gift to yourself or even to someone on your gift-giving list. It’s the genre of all genres that many readers will want to read this year. The cover photo does tell a thousand words – read it and find out. Adriana LG Author of Jessica, the Untold Story

I loved this book. I loved this book. and ummmm did I mention I love this book? I loved the way I no longer feel as if my family is not normal after reading books like this one. Hearing about the pranks and the braless (seriously people why did anyone force this contraption on us?) women made me feel right at home. Buffi Neal has an amazing way of being both hysterical and matter-of-fact that I really respect. She didn't try to sugar coat the good or the bad and she definitely didn't sugar coat the ugly. I laughed and then I cried and then I cried because I was laughing. Talk about a rollercoaster! I absolutely love it when books allow me to escape the crazy that is my life and I love it even more when I am escaping into someone elses's crazy life!  Way to go Buffi! Thank you for an amazing read!

I absolutely enjoyed this book! I love when an author does not hold back and lets it all out. It was right up my alley. It keeps you on your toes and wondering what she will do next. I think I related to the book because I am a lot like Buffi. She keeps you in tune with what is going on and there is something surprising on every page. I love that about this book. It kept me hooked and I was able to finish it really fast. Definitely one of the best books I have read!

First of all, this author is certainly entertaining and does not hold back. And, of course, she has a fun way of writing that will connect with many. Her sense of humor is infectious as well as sometimes a little zanier than one might expect. Her first chapter drew me in, and it was clear that I was hooked. My favorite portion of the book is when she talked about growing up in Israel. Her family is unusual, to say the least, and I would have loved to have read even more about this portion of her life. She jumped around concerning her life, so I sometimes found myself getting a little lost. But I suppose that is the way it is when a loved one dies and you are reviewing your life and the impact of that death upon your own life. My complaints are truly not problematic for most. As I stated earlier, I sometimes found myself getting lost (and even minimally bored a couple of times), and that is why I didn’t rate the book as high as I might have. I will also caution any potential readers concerning the excessive profanity and sexual terminology. I didn’t mark the book down for these–I’m sure the author is being authentic in these portions. But I just want to point it out (as I always do with my reviews).

Reading Wonderfully Dysfunctional is like sitting and listening to Buffi Neal tell her story. She’s a good storyteller with a great sense of humor. Her stories are heartwarming and funny. She also has good insight into life and her family. x I think most of us think our families aren’t normal but after reading about Buffi’s family I feel like my family is a little closer to normal than I thought. But what an interesting and resilient family she has! x I usually read fiction but this book reads as well as a good novel. I definitely recommend Wonderfully Dysfunctional. It will make you cry one minute and laugh the next.

I first encountered Buffi Neal in SheWrite, a web based group where burgeoning writers find a space to grow and belong. I was drawn to her profile by some commonalities and by her voice - the way she expressed herself. When I saw Wonderfully Dysfunctional published, I was immediately sure I had to read it. I found in the memoir style writing the same voice that first drew me. Neal is telling her life story with passion and bravado and humility, while at the same time allowing the reader to develop empathy and courage for each character. By the time you can come to a conclusion, you can also come to a determination of justice or compassion for each character, and you want it so badly for them. The thing about reading memoirs is that there is no band-aid ending. The end of the story just is what it is, and the author cannot tweak it to make it prettier for the reader. I want so much more from the end result of this book, much more closure for the main characters, than is offered. But its reality based, and the lives of the persons involved just carry on, the way real life does. Neal has revealed some delicate issues and events in her history and that of her family to write this story, and the power in that runs through the pages of this book. It’s a life-changing read.

Great read!!! Ever had a friend that had riveting stories that pulled you in every time you were together? You would laugh along with them but in the back of your mind wonder, "Should I be laughing at this?" This is what reading Wonderfully Dysfunctional: It Must Be Genetic was like.  The memories and experiences shared within this book draw you in - especially when you remember you are reading actual experiences.  Anyone with a family that has quirks (and who doesn't NOT have quirks these days?) can relate to these stories and appreciate the uniqueness of their own families dysfunctions.

What makes this book exceptional is that Buffi Neal starts every chapter with a quote worth-remembering. I love how she perfectly chose the right quote for every chapter :) This is the first book I've read with my best friend and as we go along the pages, we find ourselves laughing and smiling because of the different situations in the book. One thing I can't forget in the book is the line  "If you die while you aren't really living, exactly when did death occur?" Wonderfully Dysfunctional reminds me of how amazing life is, even if there are some imperfections and challenges. It's worth reading!

Reading Wonderfully Dysfunctional was a lot like looking back at my own dysfunctional childhood, and gives me a LOT of insight about how my own children might look back on theirs!  I read through it quickly the first time, kind of like a starving woman presented with  a banquet.  After I'd had a bit of time to digest it all, I went back through it slowly, savoring each bit and was just as disappointed to finish it the second time, as I was the first time around.  To tell the truth, I am completely enamored with this book and the characters found within it's pages.  The author's family is utterly endearing, in a quirky off balanced sort of way. They're are surely not your average family, so it's not your average memoir. It's better! The author's writing style coupled with her honesty and candor make this a must read! Give it to someone you love for the holidays. They will sure ly thank you!

“If the majority of us are dysfunctional, wouldn’t that be normal?” I am from a dysfunctional family. To be honest, I sometimes think that it is my family that has helped me be more functional at times. However as Buffi points out, we are not able to avoid the inevitable. From our challenges, we learn. Within our challenges, we grow to support each other for better or for worse. “I’m convinced that my goal in this lifetime is not to judge others because the moment that I say “I would never do that,” fate puts me in a situation where I do just that. I’m humbled by my own actions.” The above quote is what seals the book for me! Despite it all Buffi still is able to relate to the world and accept the world for what it is. There is no excuses for being cruel to others. She is not necessarily a victim. She is just Buffi who is Wonderfully Dysfunctional!

It is so awesome to know I am not alone in having a dysfunctional family! Buffi Neals account is clear and honest storytelling at it's best. As she shares the connections that made her who she is today, I found myself acknowledging the many ways (both sad and happy) that made me who I am today. I was captivated by her stories of life within her family sphere, and Mopsie... well you need to read about her yourself. We are born into this world to experience and learn, but no matter how the history mixes, we will become a unique person with growth and understanding of those who came before us. The author has a wonderful style and made it intriguing to follow her story. Each page brought new expectations and realizations.

There is nothing better than a book that holds your attention and keeps you wanting to read straight through to the end in one night.  That’s how this book was for me.  I couldn’t wait to find out the next secret that was uncovered, or see how the book ended.  The relationship with Buffi and her siblings was warm and hilarious.  I identified with their sarcastic sense of humor and closeness.  I think sometimes we all feel like we don’t know what we want to do with our lives and we try to figure out our place in this world and our purpose.  This book was Buffi’s discovery of who she was, where she came from, and what direction she wanted her life to take.  The book most definitely left room for a sequel, and I will be waiting for its release.

I really enjoyed this book. “Dysfunctional” fits me and my family so much that I knew, just from the title, that I would really enjoy this book. And it was true! I felt I connected with just about everything within this story. The characters, the situations – it all felt like it could be a part of my life. Wonderfully Dysfunctional had a balance of humor and seriousness. It was well written and was enjoyable to read. In the end, it left me wanting more. I wanted to continue reading about Buffi and her family and her life. Overall, a great read that I would recommend for anyone who feels they come from a “dysfunctional” family (who doesn’t, right?)

Loved this book! An amazing read and totally inspirational. It has the strange family circumstance of "The Glass Castle" mixed with the strong female bonds of "Steal Magnolia". It made me laugh, it made me cry. I identified fully with her journey! Highly Recommend!