Reviews of My Grandmother's Hair by
Ann Elizabeth Carson

Allan Sorenson, Information Technology Professional, Toronto

My Grandmother's Hair is not a simple autobiography. It isn't fluff, nor is it a thesis to prove a point. In fact it's hard to generalize about the theme of this book. But the power of it is unmistakable, and, unavoidable. I believe that anyone who is exposed to this book will be changed. I was reminded over and over again that each and every person, each human being,  possesses amazing and beautiful art, and integrity and intelligence, and truth and hope. And value. Precious, priceless value, in a world and life that diminishes everyone's worth to a state of being ordinary and unimportant. Yet in each person is carried all the wonder and potential and hope of all of us. It may sound a bit heady, but it's true. I have no idea what Ann Carson thought she was doing by writing this book, or why.

I only know what effect it had on me. It stopped me in my tracks, and forced me to remember and learn again that everyone in my past and in my life today is just as significant and complex as anyone we read about in the headlines, or are otherwise more famous and successful. It certainly made me think of my own mother, and all the mothers before. And it helped me to see that some of the most fascinating people we could ever meet are sometimes the ones right in front of us. Yet the biggest lesson of all was to realize that even in the seemingly insignificant and trivial moments of our lives, there is something profound and moving. I suspect that we all privately view ourselves and our lives as being not such a big deal, unaware of the very real and very lasting impact that even the smallest things we do have on the lives of those we encounter. Ann proves it, even if only by putting her voice into print. Thanks, Ann. - Chapters Indigo.ca; Barnes and Noble. November 2007

Majero Bouman, ABD PhD., Dept of English, York University

Ann Elizabeth Carson's 2006 book My Grandmother's Hair combs through the knotting of women's generation..... A work of creative nonfiction that quite literally follows its own journey by exploring the body as archive, and art as its researcher, the book opens relationships between memory, remembering, experience, intellect, embodiment, symptom, and expression. Its strength lies in its refusal to cohere—its refusal of a journey toward integration. It is, instead, a journey about communion that seeks and allows separate elemental voices to engage in dialogic polyphony, each with its own part. My Grandmother's Hair answers the patriarchal management of women's bodies and restriction of community with wrinkles of synaesthesia through which story is body, colour is freeing violence, and everyday is a piece of clay. I've always loved listening to my grandmother's stories. I wonder now at her gestures and poems and silences, the last of which are covered up by three languages and lifetimes of talk. In her body of work, the generations that grow up on shared gestures, lies, and myths, is both the symptom and expression of our potency. - Canadian Woman' Studies/les cahier de la femme, 2008.

Anne Craig, Consultant to the Arts. Toronto.
I reached for My Grandmother's Hair because of Ann Elizabeth Carson's sculpture, painting and poetry. Then, as I read, I so connected to it. I have wanted to explain my life and times to my children and grandchildren. And also to let younger women know where we came from and what we have accomplished. It is here in this special book.- chapters.indigo.ca 30/11/06

Jackie Grandy, Student, Writer, Artist. Toronto.
A genre-defying, challenging, enjoyable read that cannot be pinned down to any one area of content or style. A post-modern, feminist social memoir written from a perspective of psychology, small town Ontario life in the 30's, art therapy, classical mythology and individual myth-making, personal reflection and memoir. A must read. - chapters.indigo.ca. amazon.ca and .com 11/11/06

Meg Salter, Organizational Effectiveness Consultant. Toronto.
This poignant autobiography will resonate with many people who are consciously aware of their own healing journeys. Ann Elizabeth Carson provides an intimate picture and graphic depiction of how our character is moulded by our family and social contexts, and the psychic split resulting in mind, body and emotions. Carson's portrayal of her own multi-faceted healing journey, using myth, poetry, art and narrative is an inspiration for readers who seek to look more deeply into themselves. - chapters.indigo.ca. 22/12/06 amazon.com and .ca. 01/12/06. Barnes and Noble, 22/12/06

Helen Barron, E.S.L Teacher. Toronto.
This is an inspiring memoir by a talented artist and writer. It describes her struggles with tragedy and adversity and how the arts helped contribute to her insight and victory. I hope it becomes widely available. - chapters.indigo.ca. 04/12/06

Jane Champagne, Artist. Author, Ontario Landscape: A Practical Guide to Painting Landscape on Location . Southampton.
I heard the writer read from her book, accompanied by a slide show of her sculpture and paintings -a rare artist who can create in all three mediums. A profoundly touching and far-reaching memoir in a language open to all readers, it reads like a love story to woman's unquenchable spirit, rather than a treatise on her survival. - amazon.ca 22/12/06

Toronto Women's Bookstore My Grandmother's Hair , Ann Elizabeth Carson.
A moving, multigenre autobiography combining images, poetry, and personal essay, this performative book calls readers to read out loud. Interweaving the author's life with her grandmother's life and her memory of it, this book offers a view to women's life cycles in epic survey and in the detail of a moment.

Liis Windischmann, Toronto.
I had the privilege of hearing the author read from this eloquently written book. The words reached out to me from the pages when I read it but hearing it live was truly special. If you love all aspects of art, you will melt into this book - it melds art, poetry and sculpture while exploring the author's journey. It truly is a unique read.

Diane Pellini, Toronto.
My Grandmother's Hair takes the reader through a journey of the senses. It is a poignant look into a woman's heart and soul through many mediums. Photos of sculptures reflect the thoughts in the written words beside them. Poetry further explores the autobiographical details of the author's life. The reader (or should I say viewer?) is lucky to explore the author's life from many angles.