I chose to read The Liars' Club by Mary Karr for my memoir project based on the advice of my father, who was unusually praising of a book not written in iambic pentameter. My perception of the book at this point (in which I have only read the back cover), is that it details the turbulent childhood of Mary Karr, an American author, poet, and essayist, who, as I know from my dad, ran away from her Texas home and family as a teenager.
I am predicting that the book will end with Mary Karr either leaving home or deciding to leave home, meaning that while I have a fairly solid prediction for the end, I am completely unsure as to the events and circumstances that lead up to what I am guessing will be the denouement.
I have the general impression that Mary Karr's immediate family is rather quirky, which is often considered to be an endearing trait. However, it is hard to believe that Mary Karr was inspired to leave her home because her family displayed a few oddities, which makes me think that they may have been "quirky" in a more serious way.
I am unsure as to whether I should expect any humor whatsoever, as I know there are some extremely serious moments and less than sympathetic characters who contribute to what I perceive as the general intensity of the novel. Furthermore, I know that the author had a serious drinking problem later in life, which she also wrote a book about. It seems likely that the childhood roots of this problem will be addressed in The Liars' Club.
Ultimately, I am fairly sure that the book will conclude with some phase of Mary Karr's decision and subsequent action of leaving home. However, I have no idea what will drive her to take this action. Through reading The Liars' Club, I hope she will explain the thought process that preceded this decision, and the events that triggered such a thought process.
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