The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio

Terry Ryan offers a up a homey and charming look at growing up under meager means in rural Ohio. The story revolves around Terry's family of nine and the rather extraordinary efforts her mother Evelyn goes through to provide for them. As the title suggests these efforts involve a series of product contests and drawings. Prizes include things as modest as small appliances and cash up to sports cars. While Evelyn is the focus of the story, husband and father Kelly presents an equally compelling presence. His problems with alcohol and his temper are noted, but there's never a real sense of alarm. Perhaps that has something to do with the time (50s and 60s) and the unwillingness to acknowledge these types of issues. I found the whole thing kind of unnerving myself. That said, I think "Prize Winner..." is a fun, gentle memoir. Fans of "A Girl Named Zippy", and "All Over But the Shoutin'" will likely appprectiate this title too.