Stroh’s absorbing memoir suggests that most cocoons are permeable and that privilege is relative.” — New York Times Book Review
“With the piercing eye of a visual artist ... Stroh stitches together her and her family’s stories in a series of verbal snapshots.... Stroh’s compelling memoir vividly portrays the aching permanence of loss and the palpability of hope that accompanies starting over.” — Publishers Weekly
“Beer Money is one of those memoirs you neither put down nor forget. I’ll remember Frances Stroh’s family—and the beautifully candid, honest and often unforgettable voice she uses to describe them—for a long time. I was very moved by this book.” — George Hodgman, author of Bettyville
“How does a family dynasty die? In her image-rich memoir, ‘Beer Money,’ Frances Stroh asks the question with heroic honesty, from the inside.” — San Francisco Chronicle
“With an artist’s eye for visual detail… her frank and engrossing memoir captures the long decline of the city of Detroit and her sadly dysfunctional family.” — BBC.com
“A compelling story of loss, but also of the resiliency needed to forgive the past and forge a new future. The Strohs may have lost the trappings of the American Dream, but Frances Stroh finds something of greater value: compassion for family despite—and because of—their missteps and flaws.” — Melissa Coleman, author of This Life Is in Your Hands
“I thought of Sean Wilsey’s great memoir as I read, but what makes Stroh’s book so particular are the class contradictions. In movie terms think Ralph Lauren meets Old Milwaukee. Oh, and it’s also a very moving and powerful story of one young woman’s coming of age.” — Tom Barbash, author of Stay Up With Me
“If the family owned and operated Stroh’s Brewing Co. strived to preserve an image as highbrow folks who nevertheless understood the desires of everyday consumers, Frances Stroh... strips away the facade and reclaims truth.” — San Jose Mercury News
“Of course, the Strohs’ story is fascinating in itself. But what makes this memoir special is Frances Stroh’s clear, brave voice. Free of regret or judgment, she renders even her family’s darkest moments with grace and love. A page-turner in the very best sense.” — Katie Crouch, author of Girls in Trucks and Abroad
“In Beer Money , Frances Stroh takes us on a fascinating—and often chilling—journey into the world of dark privilege. In prose that is both beautiful and unflinching, Stroh tells a riveting story about the fall of an American family, an American city, and possibly the American Dream itself.” — Janis Cooke Newman, author of A Master Plan for Rescue
“[Stroh] writes candidly and insightfully about the growing solicitude that grew inside her throughout her life. The assortment of family portraits displaying the dichotomy of smiling faces and secret hurts echoes that suffering in haunting fashion.... A sorrowful, eye-opening examination of familial dysfunction.” — Kirkus
“The quintessential American Dream is a heartwarming rags-to-riches tale, but a good riches-to-rags story can be just as captivating…. Stroh shucked her strangling legacy. With Beer Money , she is on her way to a fresh new writing career—perhaps a riches-to-rags-to-riches story in the making.” — Shelf Awareness
“Fluently written ... Should have appeal beyond strong regional interest.” — Booklist
I thought of Sean Wilsey’s great memoir as I read, but what makes Stroh’s book so particular are the class contradictions. In movie terms think Ralph Lauren meets Old Milwaukee. Oh, and it’s also a very moving and powerful story of one young woman’s coming of age.
How does a family dynasty die? In her image-rich memoir, ‘Beer Money,’ Frances Stroh asks the question with heroic honesty, from the inside.
Beer Money is one of those memoirs you neither put down nor forget. I’ll remember Frances Stroh’s family—and the beautifully candid, honest and often unforgettable voice she uses to describe them—for a long time. I was very moved by this book.
Of course, the Strohs’ story is fascinating in itself. But what makes this memoir special is Frances Stroh’s clear, brave voice. Free of regret or judgment, she renders even her family’s darkest moments with grace and love. A page-turner in the very best sense.
The quintessential American Dream is a heartwarming rags-to-riches tale, but a good riches-to-rags story can be just as captivating…. Stroh shucked her strangling legacy. With Beer Money , she is on her way to a fresh new writing career—perhaps a riches-to-rags-to-riches story in the making.
How does a family dynasty die? In her image-rich memoir, ‘Beer Money,’ Frances Stroh asks the question with heroic honesty, from the inside.
Fluently written ... Should have appeal beyond strong regional interest.
…[an] absorbing memoir…Beer Money sidesteps a comprehensive account of business mismanagement in favor of intimate family vignettes…Stroh isn't angry or mournful about the family's squandered nobility, which she experienced only as residue. The book offers an ambivalent understanding of a complicated birthright, and none of its drama feels like an airing of dirty laundry.
The New York Times Book Review - Akiva Gottlieb
02/29/2016
If the family owned and operated Stroh’s Brewing Co. strived to preserve an image as highbrow folks who nevertheless understood the desires of everyday consumers, Frances Stroh... strips away the facade and reclaims truth.
Stroh’s absorbing memoir suggests that most cocoons are permeable and that privilege is relative.
New York Times Book Review
In Beer Money , Frances Stroh takes us on a fascinating—and often chilling—journey into the world of dark privilege. In prose that is both beautiful and unflinching, Stroh tells a riveting story about the fall of an American family, an American city, and possibly the American Dream itself.
A compelling story of loss, but also of the resiliency needed to forgive the past and forge a new future. The Strohs may have lost the trappings of the American Dream, but Frances Stroh finds something of greater value: compassion for family despite—and because of—their missteps and flaws.
With an artist’s eye for visual detail… her frank and engrossing memoir captures the long decline of the city of Detroit and her sadly dysfunctional family.
Fluently written ... Should have appeal beyond strong regional interest.
2016-02-18
