Review: Flat Broke With Two Goat's A Memoir - By Jennifer McGaha

Flat Broke With Two Goat's, A Memoir
By Jennifer McGaha
Audiobook - Tantor Audio 2018
Performed by Pam Ward
An Overdrive "Big Library Read" selection

My Rating (Out of 5)
⭐⭐⭐⭐

A well written memoir about losing it all, and in the process connecting to what is really important.

Jennifer McGaha and her husband used to live in middle-class suburb. She went on vacations, her children attended private schools, there were two cars in the driveway. When the recession hit, she knew things were a little tight, but left financial details to her husband (an accountant) to sort out. Ultimately Jennifer learns that not only are they struggling to meet their monthly obligations, they have not paid their taxes in four years. Out of money, and out of options, their house being foreclosed on, and deeply in debt to the IRS, they find themselves living in a century old cabin in the woods.

I found the writing itself to be very good - As she was an adjunct writing professor I would not expect less - but it seemed to me that during this entire story, she really does grow and change as a person. No longer the short sighted, breezy suburban housewife who was happy to leave the managing of money to her husband; she became strong, able to seek out answers for problems,  a responsible homesteader.  During this process, she discovers deep, forgotten connections to her husband, her animals, the land, and her family. To me it was a story of perseverance, and self discovery. About surviving what so many of us fear in the economic climate we live in.

The narrator, Pam Ward, had a warm voice well suited to this piece. You really felt like you could sit and sip iced tea while she told you this story.

As an Overdrive Big Library Read, there was an online discussion forum. It seemed to me that most people either loved or hated this book. I personally fell on the side of loving it.

Happy Reading!
Teenie