North of Normal: A Memoir of My Wilderness Childhood, My Unusual Family, and How I Survived Both

This memoir of a young woman raised in the Canadian wilderness by her pot smoking, sex crazed, often naked mother, is truly unbelievable. It was actually her grandfather who decided to leave civilization behind, and his daughter and young granddaughter followed, living off the land, oftentimes on Indian reservations, frequently moving to survive. The author had no immunizations, and little schooling, but as she got older was determined to make something of herself and leave her wayward family behind. Despite overcoming hardships and struggling for years, she proves that one can virtually rise above all odds to become happy and fulfilled.

This is a very unusual story about a very dysfunctional and mentally unstable extended family.The author is the youngest of the family and relates her story from the time she is 3yr old. Besides her messed up family and very unusual and changing living situations, her self centered mom exposes her to challenging situations as she moves from one man to another.Always hungry and broke mom daughter the mother loves her daughter and daughter depends on mom who sometimes puts her life first. As the story progresses through many years, we begin to see breaks in the mother, daughter bond as the daughter becomes focused on her own and different goals. Overcoming terrible odds, the daughter through determination and luck begins to forge her own much more successful . It is an amazing story that keeps the reader wondering what will happen next.

I went into reading this book thinking, "Yeah, let's see how far north of normal this family really is!" Thinking that there's not much that can beat my weird childhood. I was wrong. But, the thing I wasn't wrong about: how much our childhoods shape us into the adults we are now. Reading Cea's passage through childhood and journey into adulthood kept me enthralled, sick with heartache, and finally, rejoicing with happiness at the beautiful smile on her face in the picture with her children and husband. I will definitely read more of her novels and other works of art!

I couldn't put this book down. Much like the Glass Castle, it is a story of triumph after an unbelievably bizarre and downright abusive childhood. I couldn't wait until she grew up and made her move to find her "normal." The ending did not disappoint. Anyone tempted to whine about his or her childhood should read this book and appreciate the power of choice and the journey this girl made toward wholeness.

Wow, I found this a very depressing read. Not because of Cea's story - hers has a happy ending, thanks to her being blessed with intelligence, above-average resilience, fashion-model looks, and the means (both emotional and financial) to put herself through extensive therapy. No, what depressed me was the people around her - mentally ill, dysfunctional and abusive - who had kids and thus perpetuated the cycle of abuse. How do we, as a society, break this cycle? I also found myself getting irritated by the adults who rejected government/society and preferred to live off the land, but then helped themselves to other people's property and even the common infrastructure that they refused to support. So many characters in this book were all take, take, take without making any contribution at all to society. They couldn't even be nice to each other, but were happy to take advantage of the kindness of strangers. Sad.

This is a wonderfully written book that will take you from laughing until you hurt to cringing for the circumstances this precious child finds herself in, to crying with her when there is nothing left to do but cry!Cea is just plain remarkable in her intelligence, courage and resilience at a very young age.Really, I really could go on and on but I wouldn't spoil this remarkable true story for anyone.My dearest regards to Cea and her success, she earned every bit of it--- over and over again!!

Well written memoir of a difficult childhood in a profoundly dysfunctional family by an apparently once famous model. I was very interested in her story as a child but found her teen and adult years rushed. i would have either rather either have more in depth accounting of her later years, or have that section shorted to an epilog.

Oh my gosh, I have recommended this book to everyone I know. The fact that this little girl arrived into adulthood successfully is amazing. Riveting from page one. This reminded me of "This Life is in My Hands" by Melissa Coleman (get that book too!)....both girls of the late 60s, early 70s, surviving very oddball circumstances, even for that point in American history. Loved it.

Loved this book. It has become another favourite of mine up there with The Glass Castle,( which the author credits at the end of the book), Once In A House On Fire, and Educated and The Only Girl In The World (both of which made more difficult reading for me due to the animal cruelty involved)I also enjoyed the many photographs included in the book.

Interesting life story, enjoyed reading this on my beach holiday in Gambia, now my daughters taking it to India.

A gripping and honest biography - could not put it down. Highly recommneded

Cea Sunrise Person is a survivor! Isolated from civilization in her early childhood by her counterculture grandparents, she was a victim of sexual abuse, neglect, extreme poverty and a deranged family. Cea discovers that she does not lead a ”normal” life as she encounters other children and mainstream society. Her triumphant career as an international model is an escape route to a better life. This an inspiring story and a must-read for anyone who has suffered hardship as a child.Unfortunately the author was unaware that passing judgement on others for their weight, height and skin condition is not only disheartening, but off-putting. Most of us are not blessed enough to be International models. Otherwise, this story was an incredible biography with a triumphant ending!

AMAZING STORY! I was just blown away by circumstances this little girl was raised in. She basically grew up as a child of hippies... without say in her living conditions. It is such a well told TRUE story ... and to see how she evolved into adulthood, was exciting. A great read. Truth really can be stranger than fiction.

The story ended too soon. She does have a sequel however it is not available in kindle. It is amazing to see how brave she was and vowed to make herself a better life. One hopes she goes on to succeed and leave the past behind, but she does not go unscathed from her upbringing.She is living proof we are who we create.

I saw Cea at a book event and heard a brief summary of her life and then felt compelled to read her book. Her life experience was so foreign to my growing up and so dysfunctional and yet the women who stood before me was such an example of resilience and survival that I had to read more of her story. You would hope such a life would be fiction but you celebrate the woman who could tell the story with compassion and understanding. Well written and fascinating. I will read more from this author.

It's is hard to imagine the life the author describes in this incredible autobiography. Raised by 'hippie' parents who believed in the back to the land movement and free love, this young girl grows up in an environment few of us can even imagine. Her story is a compelling and unusual read as is the amazing journey her life has taken her on.

Was a great read that shows how resilient people can be but scars last forever. Often times dysfunctional families have their own distorted views and ideas of "love". I have fostered, adopted, and counselled many children like this. This is often a generational problem and further manifested by alcohol and drugs and sadly resulting in mental health issues and the demise of an entire family. Very good story and can see many accuracys and related incidents my children encountered. Some are succeeding and others are struggling and will for life. Hopefully there was and is healing for next generation

Could not put it down. So important for so many mothers to read. Sometimes this sense of entitlement of this generation is overwhelming..... When one reads this book I hope they appreciate the little things in life ... You too can make something of yourself no matter what happens ..it's called courage and forgiveness

This book came recommended and didnt disappoint. It flowed wonderfully watching the innocence of a young girl realizing the craziness of her world. It warmly demonstrated human resilience in a meaningful way. A great story and told in a wonderful way as the writer manages to narrate at the age she was as events were happening.

At times challenging to continue...the life of the protagonist is so fraught with challenges and uncertainties that reading about one more hurdle for her to overcome was gut wrenching....in the end reading about the journey to her adult life was gripping......a worthwhile read.

It was well written. Bittersweet. I admire Cea Person's ability to keep positive after living such a life. Is she happy now? How did she get through all her 'baggage' and raise her children to be 'normal' ? Amazing what a positive spirit can help one get through such adversities.

Incredible what some people put their children through! This child’s relatives didn’t mean her harm but just were self absorbed and had a very eccentric, hippy, back to nature/ homesteading life style.

This is a very powerful story, beautifully written and an inspiration of how determination and belief in yourself can survive the most unimaginable circumstances. Cea, you are a very remarkable lady and I wish you every success.