"[Plymale's] lineage, which she traces back to the Revolutionary War, represents a sort of inverse American dream...Her people become less respectable through the generations until the line arrives at Plymale herself, whose own life marks the point where the needle begins to move in a positive direction once again. It's a story of redemption and forgiveness." — Mary Beth Keane, New York Times Book Review
"Impressive...Moving...Readers will find themselves recalibrating their judgments about villains and victims and questioning how one family could fall so far down through the cracks... American Daughter will resonate" — BookPage (starred review)
"An inspiring story of perseverance, grit, survival and humanity, 'American Daughter' is a powerful, compelling memoir.” — Good Morning America
"a gut-wrenching and absorbing portrait of one family’s legacy of mental illness and childhood trauma." — Booklist
“This beautiful memoir is a testament to how the right partnership in adulthood can redeem even the hardest upbringing” — Washington Post
“In this sharp, heartrending work, Plymale reconciles with the truth of her mother’s life, finding forgiveness, hope, and even pride. Her testimony, while painful to read, is vital.” — Library Journal
“[A] poignant and often distressing memoir....The writing is shatteringly candid but never overwrought, the story a stark reminder that 'the most difficult people are often suffering in ways we can't fathom.'" — Shelf Awareness
“By sharing your story, I’m sure you know how much you’re helping others.” — Sheinelle Jones, TODAY Show
Compelling and well-told, the story is full of surprises, including the revelation of a long-held family secret and the uncovering of lineage that traces back to famous American figures. — Globe and Mail (Toronto)
"American Daughter–in the tradition of classics like The Glass Castle, LA Diaries and White Oleander–explores in unsparing details the complex interplay between intimate family ties, generational abuse, cataclysmic losses, and the extraordinary and limitless power of compassion and self-discovery." — Gina Frangello, Author of ‘Every Kind of Wanting’ and ‘A Life in Men’, Editor of The Coachella Review