57 pages • 1 hour read
Russell BakerGrowing Up
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1982A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Growing Up, Russell Baker recounts his experiences during the Great Depression and World War II, his mother's tenacity and influence, and his complex journey from rural Virginia to becoming a writer. Through character sketches and anecdotes about his family and his future wife, Mimi, Baker reflects on the importance of storytelling and understanding one's heritage. The book addresses the death of Baker’s father, and familial struggle during the Depression.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Baker's Growing Up strikes a chord with readers through its heartfelt exploration of his youth during the Great Depression. Critics praise its engaging narrative and evocative prose, appreciating Baker's humor and poignant reflections. Some feel the pacing drags occasionally, but overall, it delivers a nostalgic and insightful memoir of resilience and family.
Who Should Read Growing Up?
A reader who would enjoy Growing Up by Russell Baker appreciates memoirs that blend humor and history. Fans of Jean Shepherd’s In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash or Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes will be drawn to Baker’s witty and poignant recounting of his Depression-era childhood and the American experience.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1030L