Dark at the Roots

Written by Sarah Thyre

Narrated by Suzy Jackson

Best known for her role on the hit Comedy Central show Strangers with Candy, Sarah Thyre is an accomplished actress and writer. In this snappy memoir about growing up poor in the Deep South, Thyre relays vivid memories of her wacky parents, losing her virginity, and being infamously called "the family liar." "Thyre . has penned a book that lives up to its title; it's both harrowing and hilarious."-Booklist, starred review

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 6, 2009
• ISBN: 9781440760730

Reviews for Dark at the Roots

[tealightful · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was nothing special, in my humble opinion. Thyre's life was just as eccentric (maybe even less so) as her genre-equivalents -- except she isn't that great of a story teller.

Of course, there were funny moments and relatable moments but I wasn't as interested in this book as I usually am. Maybe I'm just getting burned out on stories of now-middle-aged women from quirky, eccentric, poor, religious, semi-abusive homes.

The book is blurbed all by people she knows personally, so I take their opinions with a grain of salt. After all, we all think our friends are hilarious (or would have hurt feelings if we told them otherwise).

The most interesting thing I learned about Sarah Thyre is that she's been married to Andy Richter for over 17 years. And, I learned that via a late night google session, not from the book.

Mildly interesting read, at best. If you're looking for books of this type, I have many recommendations of better ones.

[lisa1121mass · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Delightfully humorous!

[eenerd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sarah Thyre is officially one of my favorite people. The book was at times laugh out loud funny, and often so much so that you can't believe it is real. How refreshing to read a memoir about growing up that I can actually relate to...something decidely "imperfect" but not so much so that it turns you into a serial killer or a hermit. Awesome, awesome, awesome.

[bettyjo_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I had to put it down after 88 pages....just could not get into this memoir. I expected it to be a funny Glass Castle...disappointing.

[allthatglam · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The author took a difficult childhood and made the best of it....I laughed out loud reading this! Serious subject matter at times, but overall humorous.

[horomnizon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I wasn't too sure about this when I started the book, but by about 50 pages in, I was hooked. Certainly not an angelic childhood, but then again, whose was? Thyre tries her whole youth to be better than her family - or at least to appear to be in higher society than she really is. The stories are funny (occasionally laugh out loud funny) and a bit absurd, at least to me and my Northern upbringing....an enjoyable read.This would be OK for mature youth - lots of sexual stuff going on. Probably best as an adult read.