Synopses & Reviews
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio introduces Evelyn Ryan, an enterprising woman who kept poverty at bay with wit, poetry, and perfect prose during the contest era of the 1950s and 1960s. Evelyn's winning ways defied the church, her alcoholic husband, and antiquated views of housewives. To her, flouting convention was a small price to pay when it came to raising her six sons and four daughters.
Graced with a rare appreciation for life's inherent hilarity, Evelyn turned every financial challenge into an opportunity for fun and profit. The story of this irrepressible woman, whose clever entries are worthy of Erma Bombeck, Dorothy Parker, and Ogden Nash, is told by her daughter Terry with an infectious joy that shows how a winning spirit will always triumph over poverty.
Review
"Inspirational."
-- USA Today
Review
"Unforgettable."
-- San Francisco Chronicle
Review
"A good-natured memoir as compelling as a commercial jingle."
-- O, The Oprah Magazine
Synopsis
Now in paperback comes a bestselling memoir starring a Midwestern wife and mother whose prize-winning poetry and prose kept her family afloat through the most difficult of times. Second serial in "Rosie." Photos throughout.
Synopsis
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio introduces Evelyn Ryan, an enterprising woman who kept poverty at bay with wit, poetry, and perfect prose during the "contest era" of the 1950s and 1960s. Standing up to the church, her alcoholic husband, and antiquated ideas about women, Evelyn turned every financial challenge into an opportunity for innovation, all the while raising her six sons and four daughters with the belief that miracles are an everyday occurrence. The inspiration for a major motion picture, Evelyn Ryan's story is told by her daughter Terry with an infectious joy that shows how a winning spirit and sense of humor can triumph over adversity every time.
About the Author
Terry Ryan, the sixth of Evelyn Ryan's ten children, was a consultant on the film adaptation of The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. She lives in San Francisco, California.
Table of Contents
ContentsForeword by Suze Orman
Part One
1. The Contester
2. Rhyme Does Pay
3. Supermarket Spree
Part Two
4. The Sleeping Giant
5. Father of the Year
6. Too Damned Happy
7. Defiance
8. Tickle Hills
Part Three
9. Poet Laureate
10. Giant Steps
11. Name That Sandwich
Part Four
12. The Affadaisies
13. Round Robin
14. Going, Going, Gone
Part Five
15. Hell and High Water
16. Mrs. Etchie
17. Such a Thing as Destiny
Part Six
18. Rock Bottom
19. Her Weight in Gold
Epilogue: A Truckload of Birds
Afterword by Betsy Ryan