Getting Off the Radiator - by Dorothy Preston (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Dorothy Preston's debut memoir, Getting Off the Radiator: A Story of Shame, Guilt, and Forgiveness, is the story of a child growing up in a twenty-eight-room mansion infested with roaches and overrun with hippies, thieves, drug abusers, alcoholics, and a murderer. The youngest of seven children abandoned by their father, Preston watched while her mother struggled to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads while also diving deeper into the bottle, standing in line for welfare, and renting rooms in their home for income. Given the cast of characters who passed through the house and the absence of parental guidance, the family lived the life of a twisted fairy tale in which shame, guilt, and anger played leading roles. Preston recounts her journey through childhood into adulthood, her years waging battles with her difficult past, overcoming adversity, practicing forgiveness, and cherishing the love of a family whose bonds cannot be broken. Beautifully written and accompanied by intimate family photographs, this is a memoir that breaks open what it means to live with a difficult past while struggling to embrace a hopeful future.

Review Quotes

"Welcome to the world of Preston Manor, a twenty-eight-room mansion where memoirist Dorothy Preston was raised along with her six siblings by her melodramatic, alcoholic mother in the omnipresent shadow of the father who abandoned them all . . . beautifully written-sometimes nostalgic, sometimes sweet, and sometimes terrifying . . . You'll be grateful you've been given unrestricted access."

-Joseph W. Naus, memoirist and author of Straight Pepper Diet and The Palsgraf Revelation

"A bold and vivid memoir of family dysfunction and finding a way to rise above it. Without judgment or blame, Dorothy Preston dives deep into the familial, especially parental relationships, that play such a key role in shaping us. This book will no doubt prove relatable and helpful to those who navigate challenging family forces while working toward a life of peace and love."

-Lisa F. Smith, author of Girl Walks Out of a Bar

"Fascinating story of a fatherless family living in a twenty-eight-room mansion, teetering on the edge of poverty. The mother, incapacitated by self-pity and alcoholism, spirals into a state of delusion and denial . . . This riveting story of the trials and tribulations of the Preston family bring laughter, pain, deep love, and forgiveness to the forefront."

-June S. Gatewood, author of several books for young adults