Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

The first part of Living On The Sunny Side deals with Sunny Deuber’s childhood and family. She shares much concerning her parent’s romance. Her father died when she was very young. Sunny’s childhood was not a pleasant one. Her mother was very critical. Sunny was a beautiful, intelligent child but always felt fat, ugly and stupid. There is also a hint of abuse including sexual however Sunny does not go in deep detail. It is obvious that her parents, Nora and Frank cared deeply for each other. It must have been very hard on Nora when she lost her much loved husband Frank and was left to support herself and a young child. That does not excuse child abuse.
<p>For a time mother and daughter lived next door to a child molester. Sunny was his target. Eventually he was arrest. Nora’s dream was for her daughter to be a ballerina. Ballet lessons were grueling; the instructor walked carried a split bamboo stick. He used it to discipline his students. Sunny developed hairline fractures in her big toes from standing on toe. Sunny taught ballet for many years.</p>
<p>Working in the high country of Yosemite for the summer was exciting and at times frightening. Sunny faced a large bear that she believes was a grizzly. Even though she had pneumonia Sunny describes her summer at Yosemite as magical. Later that year she and a group of friends were on their way to Yosemite when they were in an automobile accident. Sunny was blessed to have survived. Most mothers would have rushed to their child’s side but not Nora.</p>
<p>The story continues with Sunny’s failed marriages and other bits of her life. She wrote this book to not only share her family’s story but perhaps to exorcise a few demons. I was very touched by the scene where Sunny sees Nora after many years. Nora has Alzheimer’s and does not recognize her daughter. She and Sunny spend time talking without Nora ever realizing she is with her daughter. Sunny for the most part has come to terms with her relationship with Nora. Sunny never felt loved yet deep down Nora loved her in the only manner she was capable.</p>
<p>Life On The Sunny Side is an interesting look at a mother daughter relationship. There is a lesson in this book for many of us. I write this as a new year dawns. It is a time to let go of past hurts and look to the future. Our parents cannot fulfill our every need. They are not always capable of loving us the way we want to be loved. They can only do their best. There is also the fact that we look at things through our own perspective. Sometimes we can’t see the forest for the trees. In Sunny’s words, “I'm not the only one. For me, the important thing was recognizing that it's frequently nothing more than normal conflicts between different personalities, different points of view, and different generations. Once I understood that, it was much easier to move ahead with my life, more excited and optimistic than ever about the future!”</p>
<p>This book is narrated from the author’s point of view. At times the story seems to ramble on a bit and I lost focus for a short time. Most daughters will relate to the author’s memoirs. I found the story interesting and read it in one sitting.</p>