Book Review Crossing Fifty-One Not Quite A Memoir

Debbie Russell, a former assistant county attorney in Minneapolis, turns writer with her debut novel, a multigenerational family saga, "Crossing-Fifty-One." As Russell takes a deep dive into her family genealogy, she discovers buried family secrets, unexpected generational connections, disease, mental illness, and drug addiction. Russell has learned to navigate within a dysfunctional family as she deals with self-identity issues and coping with ever-changing family dynamics. She is resolute in knowing and understanding her family legacy so she can take positive steps to move forward. Readers can't help but admire the author's candid conversations in the book and the tenacity she displays in seeking answers to some of the gaps in her lineage. Russell's narrative is raw and transparent as she puts herself out there for readers while grappling with her own self-worth. She finds her life at an intersection, crossing 51 to 52, trying to make sense of it all. 

Boxes of books and family memorabilia, inherited when her parents downsized their home, inspired her quest. She used her innate investigative skills, peeling back the layers of four generations of the Russell family: Great-Grandfather Calvin, Papa Ralph Russell Sr., her dad Ralph Russell Jr. She discovered unexpected threads and similarities between generations. Using that information and public records, she was able to fill in the missing blanks as well as ongoing conversations with her father and his sister, Ann. Her story is two interlocking narratives told through actual family letters and miscellaneous memorabilia from the past about her grandfather's substance abuse circa 1951 and her current perspectives dealing with an ailing father suffering from Parkinsons with impending death, coping with a self-absorbed cold mother lacking a nurturing spirit, and a brother who seemed to distance himself from the family. Russell's father was her shining star and champion. He provided her with unending support, optimism, and kindness, which nourished her emotional needs, giving her the stability she longed for.  

 

Russell's experiences will likely resonate with those in caregiving positions and those who deal with mental health issues. The use of actual family letters and files gives the story a feeling of authenticity. Her book underscores the importance for families to capture and record their stories as a legacy, no matter how small or large. My biggest takeaway from reading Russell's book: "Your Family Story Matters." 

ALL ABOUT THE AUTHOR DEBBIE RUSSELL

Contact www.debbie-russell.com

Debbie Russell is a lawyer turned writer. She spent twenty-five years as an Assistant County Attorney in Minneapolis, prosecuting numerous high-profile cases and fighting off several nervous breakdowns. At age fifty-five, Debbie took early retirement, giving up a full pension for the freedom of time. She now spends that precious time writing, restoring her property to native prairie and wetlands, and training her rambunctious retrievers.