What do you think?
Rate this book
Empty Roads & Broken Bottles; in search for The Great Perhaps
After one single reaching #2 on the Swedish Itunes-chart, 20,000+ followers on twitter, praise from media & blogs from all over the world & 4 critically acclaimed albums; she packed her life in a guitar case and spent a year homeless on the road, with nothing but a dream and a longing for something more. This is the story about the girl who left everything she knew to dedicate her whole life to her art. The story of The Glass Child, Charlotte Eriksson, is one of those you usually see on movies. Only 18 years old she left everything she had and knew in Gothenburg, Sweden, and moved to London to dedicate her whole life to her music and art. A vague dream about reaching out turned out to be an extraordinary fight for true and real art. A journey about self-discovery, learning solitude, the difference between having a home and feeling at home and how she finally found a home in herself, in her music, in her words. Charlotte spent a year homeless on the road, sleeping at friends’ and fans’ floors, learning and searching. An ordinary girl created a community of over 20,000 admiring fans online, and all alone with nothing but hard work and determination she managed to build a life on her art, being a true inspiration to so many people, showing that you can achieve and become exactly who you want to be, if you just want it bad enough. ”
ebook
First published April 17, 2013
45 people are currently reading
2519 people want to read
About the author
Charlotte Eriksson
5 books988 followersCharlotte Eriksson (The Glass Child) is an author, songwriter, dreamer and wanderer from Sweden, but is currently living somewhere in Europe. She has published five books of prose and poetry, telling stories of growing up, searching for a home, life on the road and learning how to bloom in solitary places. Her books have been widely shared and embraced by like-minded communities such as To Write Love On Her Arms, The Artidote, Wordporn and The Good Quote, wracking up hundreds of thousands of likes, shares and comments on each post. Writings and poems from the books have been published on sites such as Thought Catalog, Rebelle Society, Bella Grace Magazine and Open Minds Quarterly.
"I believe in writing your own story, and that's what I'm doing here. Do you wait for things to happen or do you make them happen yourself?"
You can read more about Charlotte's books and music on her website: http://www.CharlotteEriksson.com
And you can follow Charlotte's writings and journey on:
- http://www.instagram.com/justaglasschild
- http://www.charlotteeriksson.com/writ...
********
I'm messy and I'm organized and I'm still trying to piece my own self together. I can't sleep at night because how could I close my eyes when there's a whole world out there, calling my name, waiting to be explored. I love intelligent conversations while laying on empty streets at 5am in the morning, and I love watching the sun rise over a world that is still asleep. I make mistakes and I mess up a lot, but I'm trying to learn how to be okay with that. Some days I couldn't care less about what all of you think about my art because this is my life and all I have. But then there are days when all I want is to be beautiful and good enough and someone to count on. Someone to like and love and believe in. I just really want to mean something to someone.
I believe in the future, for I have seen yesterday, and I'm still alive. I laugh a lot and I believe in the beauty in small things, like the coffee in the morning with someone you love, road-trips to nowhere and oceans. People fascinate me because I can't seem to understand them, and they rarely understand me. The way they can live and breathe and simply be, when I can't even look myself in the mirror without questioning every line. I remember every single word from conversations and I have a whole box of unsent letters to myself and every person I've ever met.
When I was 18 I moved all on my own from my home in Sweden to London to create the life I wanted to live and find the person I wanted to be. After a year in solitude with my mind and my music, I packed light and spent a year homeless on the road, dedicating my life to my art and music, determined to tell the world about it. I went everywhere and nowhere. Spent nights on the concrete, had beautiful conversations with strangers and walked foreign streets every day. I learned how to build my home in my music and my art. When I sing or write, I'm not scared anymore. I just want to mean something to someone because every person I meet mean the world to me and I just wish to belong. I just wish to be me and be loved for that. I still don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way, and I'm giving my life to this journey. I wanted to turn my life into art, my very existence into a poem. It might not always be easy, but it will always be beautiful.
"I believe in writing your own story, and that's what I'm doing here. Do you wait for things to happen or do you make them happen yourself?"
You can read more about Charlotte's books and music on her website: http://www.CharlotteEriksson.com
And you can follow Charlotte's writings and journey on:
- http://www.instagram.com/justaglasschild
- http://www.charlotteeriksson.com/writ...
********
I'm messy and I'm organized and I'm still trying to piece my own self together. I can't sleep at night because how could I close my eyes when there's a whole world out there, calling my name, waiting to be explored. I love intelligent conversations while laying on empty streets at 5am in the morning, and I love watching the sun rise over a world that is still asleep. I make mistakes and I mess up a lot, but I'm trying to learn how to be okay with that. Some days I couldn't care less about what all of you think about my art because this is my life and all I have. But then there are days when all I want is to be beautiful and good enough and someone to count on. Someone to like and love and believe in. I just really want to mean something to someone.
I believe in the future, for I have seen yesterday, and I'm still alive. I laugh a lot and I believe in the beauty in small things, like the coffee in the morning with someone you love, road-trips to nowhere and oceans. People fascinate me because I can't seem to understand them, and they rarely understand me. The way they can live and breathe and simply be, when I can't even look myself in the mirror without questioning every line. I remember every single word from conversations and I have a whole box of unsent letters to myself and every person I've ever met.
When I was 18 I moved all on my own from my home in Sweden to London to create the life I wanted to live and find the person I wanted to be. After a year in solitude with my mind and my music, I packed light and spent a year homeless on the road, dedicating my life to my art and music, determined to tell the world about it. I went everywhere and nowhere. Spent nights on the concrete, had beautiful conversations with strangers and walked foreign streets every day. I learned how to build my home in my music and my art. When I sing or write, I'm not scared anymore. I just want to mean something to someone because every person I meet mean the world to me and I just wish to belong. I just wish to be me and be loved for that. I still don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way, and I'm giving my life to this journey. I wanted to turn my life into art, my very existence into a poem. It might not always be easy, but it will always be beautiful.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 4, 2013
I've been reading this for three days and now I'm kind off speechless. I thought that what I was up to read was a story of a young girls life, but only after a few pages I realized it's so much more. It's about the real life and the fighting and the mistakes that in the end will become a part of who you are. It made me realize things that I never thought of before, and it made me see things differently. I actually still don't know exactly what to say, cause there's so much feelings inside me. I've cried to this book, I've had stomach pains while reading some parts and I've been amazed of how this young girl chooses her words. I don't know what more to say.. I'm amazed, touched and I don't regret reading one single word of this book. All I can do is recommending it with all my heart to everyone who hasn't read it. And to Charlotte, all my love goes to you. I'm so, so proud!
"I want my life to be the greatest story. My very existance will be the greatest poem. Watch me burn." - Charlotte Eriksson (Empty roads and broken bottles in search for the great perhaps)
"I want my life to be the greatest story. My very existance will be the greatest poem. Watch me burn." - Charlotte Eriksson (Empty roads and broken bottles in search for the great perhaps)
June 27, 2013
I haven't finished reading this book yet, I've only just begun... But I can say that it was worthy of me saying something about it. I never leave reviews really, so this book just has to be that good for me to write about it.
My thoughts? It feels like I'm reading about myself. Charlotte and I are as opposite in beliefs as can be, but yet we are the same. Simply put, the words in this book make me feel less alone in my thoughts.... less alone in chasing my dreams.. less alone in things I wish to do. There are some books you can relate to, and others that express what you're feeling word for word. This book is both of those things at once.
If you want to read a heartbreaking story, read this book.
If you want to read an inspiring story, read this book.
If you want to read a book that you can relate to, read this book.
This girls story is the reason I will always support and believe in her... and if you want to know why, read this book.
My thoughts? It feels like I'm reading about myself. Charlotte and I are as opposite in beliefs as can be, but yet we are the same. Simply put, the words in this book make me feel less alone in my thoughts.... less alone in chasing my dreams.. less alone in things I wish to do. There are some books you can relate to, and others that express what you're feeling word for word. This book is both of those things at once.
If you want to read a heartbreaking story, read this book.
If you want to read an inspiring story, read this book.
If you want to read a book that you can relate to, read this book.
This girls story is the reason I will always support and believe in her... and if you want to know why, read this book.
July 13, 2013
This is a book that many people are going to take in a very different way, and all I can do is tell you how this inspired me. Charlotte's story is a rare one, but the sentiments behind every motive and action is something we all feel at some point in our life.
This is uniquely beautiful, every word breathes honesty, pain, struggle and lust for life. Soaked with Charlotte's own inspirations in life, it's natural that this pours into your own life. This was certainly the case for me. Very few people take the time to look backwards into their lives, even fewer would write so honestly about it. This is how a journey is made. Yearning for life oozes out every word and it becomes easy to understand why a person would choose to live a life in the way Charlotte has done, it's easy to admire her choices and struggles.
There are aspects that are painful to read, but this is reflective of real life. Each dark part is counteracted by the small but beautiful things in life, highlighting why it's important to live the life you wish to.
This isn't a story of climbing to the top of the game, it's a story of fighting to stay floating above the surface. When you have any kind of dream or ambition, that really is all you can hope to do. There's no suggestion of an idyllic living, it's gritty and dirty, but it's bearable; it's maintained by art. Some people will get that, some people won't.
There's something that everybody can see, it takes a special kind of person to take these risks and to take on what feels like the entire world. It doesn't matter who you are, but this will leave you reflecting on your own life, wishes and choices.
This isn't a phrase I often use, perhaps never before. This is a book that has the potential to change your life. It's certainly helped me on my own journey.
Is this something that's about to become a classic novel? Certainly not, but that isn't the intention. It's so much stronger than that.
This is uniquely beautiful, every word breathes honesty, pain, struggle and lust for life. Soaked with Charlotte's own inspirations in life, it's natural that this pours into your own life. This was certainly the case for me. Very few people take the time to look backwards into their lives, even fewer would write so honestly about it. This is how a journey is made. Yearning for life oozes out every word and it becomes easy to understand why a person would choose to live a life in the way Charlotte has done, it's easy to admire her choices and struggles.
There are aspects that are painful to read, but this is reflective of real life. Each dark part is counteracted by the small but beautiful things in life, highlighting why it's important to live the life you wish to.
This isn't a story of climbing to the top of the game, it's a story of fighting to stay floating above the surface. When you have any kind of dream or ambition, that really is all you can hope to do. There's no suggestion of an idyllic living, it's gritty and dirty, but it's bearable; it's maintained by art. Some people will get that, some people won't.
There's something that everybody can see, it takes a special kind of person to take these risks and to take on what feels like the entire world. It doesn't matter who you are, but this will leave you reflecting on your own life, wishes and choices.
This isn't a phrase I often use, perhaps never before. This is a book that has the potential to change your life. It's certainly helped me on my own journey.
Is this something that's about to become a classic novel? Certainly not, but that isn't the intention. It's so much stronger than that.
November 14, 2013
This book is a beautiful journey. Charlotte's words are like magic and you just can't stop reading. This book gave me answers to life that I didn't know I was looking for!
July 11, 2014
I really wanted to love this book. I was sure that I would. But, at 46% completed, I was really unhappy with it. If you feel the same as I do, don't stop because it really gets much better.
I'm so torn which my rating though, because I would've said 2 stars based on the first half and 4 stars based on the second half. I guess that means I have to give a 3 :|
Charlotte Eriksson has some beautiful words. She has a beautiful way of talking about her life and experiences she's had. Unfortunately a lot of this book was her repeating the same thing (or almost the same thing) over and over...and over and over again. Don't get me wrong, I love writing about those moments that are late at night/early in the morning, smoking cigarettes and not drinking beer because you want to get drunk, but because it's 5am and you're still up and you're already far past drunk. I have had these moments in my life and they are some of my absolute favorite, and some of my favorite to reflect on in my writing. but a book that isn't even 200 pages should not keep coming back to the same few points repeatedly.
Another major pet peeve is that she uses other people's words or thoughts. Maybe changing a word here or there, or rearranging the words, but to me it's still considered cheating. Bukowski has a quote, Lighting more cigarettes, pouring more drinks. It has been a beautiful fight. Still is. and within two pages of Empty Roads and Broken Bottles, Eriksson says, It has been a beautiful fight and it still is
I should have known going into this book that I'd find John Green references, considering the title. I found quotes/ideas from both Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars. It's just very frustrating to read Eriksson and see the kind of potential she has and have her more or less quoting other authors.
To be fair, I loved her journal entries. When she wrote something that struck me, it struck me very hard. I have highlights all through the book. The journal entries feel so much more personal, less forced than the first half of the book. It makes me wish that she had not even included the first portion, or flipped the two sections.
I'm so torn which my rating though, because I would've said 2 stars based on the first half and 4 stars based on the second half. I guess that means I have to give a 3 :|
Charlotte Eriksson has some beautiful words. She has a beautiful way of talking about her life and experiences she's had. Unfortunately a lot of this book was her repeating the same thing (or almost the same thing) over and over...and over and over again. Don't get me wrong, I love writing about those moments that are late at night/early in the morning, smoking cigarettes and not drinking beer because you want to get drunk, but because it's 5am and you're still up and you're already far past drunk. I have had these moments in my life and they are some of my absolute favorite, and some of my favorite to reflect on in my writing. but a book that isn't even 200 pages should not keep coming back to the same few points repeatedly.
Another major pet peeve is that she uses other people's words or thoughts. Maybe changing a word here or there, or rearranging the words, but to me it's still considered cheating. Bukowski has a quote, Lighting more cigarettes, pouring more drinks. It has been a beautiful fight. Still is. and within two pages of Empty Roads and Broken Bottles, Eriksson says, It has been a beautiful fight and it still is
I should have known going into this book that I'd find John Green references, considering the title. I found quotes/ideas from both Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars. It's just very frustrating to read Eriksson and see the kind of potential she has and have her more or less quoting other authors.
To be fair, I loved her journal entries. When she wrote something that struck me, it struck me very hard. I have highlights all through the book. The journal entries feel so much more personal, less forced than the first half of the book. It makes me wish that she had not even included the first portion, or flipped the two sections.
July 4, 2017
The first 60 pages were terrific,her diary section wasn't,the last 20 pages very good.I would read some of it,then listen to some of her music which I really liked.She seemed to be going through a lot of growing pains which was o.k.3.5 stars,and I will read her other stuff.
September 9, 2013
I'm torn as to what my overall appraisal of Empty Roads & Broken Bottles should be. Just as the story is full of highs and lows, the quality of the telling is the same. Near the beginning Eriksson explained her goal in chronicling her journey of self-discovery like this:
"I'm here to kill your hero. I'm here to tell you about the real climb, the real mountain; the stepping-stones that break, the beasts that no one warned me about, the storm that killed my fire and stole my friends."
I thought that was a powerful description and a laudable goal. When she said she'd "like to spend my life arriving in new cities every morning" and that she wished "for company and someone to share this with," but that another part craved "solitude and places far, far away," I got it. I understood and have had the same conflicting emotions myself.
When she described the feeling she got playing music on stage, how it was another kind of acting that allowed her to take on a persona much different than who she was off stage, it reminded me of my musician friend who seems in total control while performing on The Tonight Show or in front of an audience of any size, yet is painfully shy when not in the spotlight.
While I thought the book started great, the deeper into it I got the more generic or vague it seemed to get (whereas I would have expected and wanted the opposite). It started seeming like random journal entries (at one point I'm fairly sure it was) rather than a coherent whole. The same thoughts started getting repeated and the the point of the entire exercise became more and more unclear to me. Would it be cheating to recommend just reading the first 30% or so?
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
"I'm here to kill your hero. I'm here to tell you about the real climb, the real mountain; the stepping-stones that break, the beasts that no one warned me about, the storm that killed my fire and stole my friends."
I thought that was a powerful description and a laudable goal. When she said she'd "like to spend my life arriving in new cities every morning" and that she wished "for company and someone to share this with," but that another part craved "solitude and places far, far away," I got it. I understood and have had the same conflicting emotions myself.
When she described the feeling she got playing music on stage, how it was another kind of acting that allowed her to take on a persona much different than who she was off stage, it reminded me of my musician friend who seems in total control while performing on The Tonight Show or in front of an audience of any size, yet is painfully shy when not in the spotlight.
While I thought the book started great, the deeper into it I got the more generic or vague it seemed to get (whereas I would have expected and wanted the opposite). It started seeming like random journal entries (at one point I'm fairly sure it was) rather than a coherent whole. The same thoughts started getting repeated and the the point of the entire exercise became more and more unclear to me. Would it be cheating to recommend just reading the first 30% or so?
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
April 30, 2013
I've spent the last few hours trying to string words together to make up some sort of way to tell you, show you, how to explain how proud I am of Charlotte, and this book, her journey. I stayed up last night to finish reading because I couldn’t put it down, and even now I still don’t know what to say or to feel and for once that’s a good thing.
It's hard to say anything about someone who made you believe in something again but it was a privilege to see the world through her eyes for those few hours. But don't just take it from me, read this and see for yourself and read the beginning of something beautiful.
- Kirsty-Marie.
"I want my life to be the greatest story.
My very existence will be the greatest poem.
Watch me burn."
― Charlotte Eriksson, Empty Roads & Broken Bottles; in search for The Great Perhaps
It's hard to say anything about someone who made you believe in something again but it was a privilege to see the world through her eyes for those few hours. But don't just take it from me, read this and see for yourself and read the beginning of something beautiful.
- Kirsty-Marie.
"I want my life to be the greatest story.
My very existence will be the greatest poem.
Watch me burn."
― Charlotte Eriksson, Empty Roads & Broken Bottles; in search for The Great Perhaps
May 11, 2013
This book was such an emotional and beautiful experience that really consumed my soul while reading it I felt like I was there in person with her on her amazing journey every step of the way, This book made me cry it made me smile and it made me realise facts about myself it is a truly emotional and inspiring reading experience. I have finished it already and I am starting it again because I was sad when it was finished. I would recommend this book to anyone who can appreciate the genius and brilliance of an artist or someone who wants to discover themselves.
May 12, 2017
By far one of the simplest and yet most profound books I've ever read. In my search for greater wisdom and understanding in life, I've read ancient words from wise old men of every age, and never have I felt a stronger connection than with this twenty something girl from Sweden. Her words spoke to my heart. She has inspired me to continue the pursuit of my dream, to keep moving forward, to believe that my story will both bring me to where I need to be, and bring to me what I need too. Amazing book.
July 20, 2013
It's been a while since I read a book that hit me like this one did. While it may not be the best written book, it has a sort of flow to it that reads well. The story is definitely there, and some of the language used really turns this story into an art piece. The way Charlotte wrote this, combined with the content, really felt to me like she was inside my head, pulling thoughts and feelings from my mind, and putting them onto the page as she wrote.
This is truly an inspiring story, and worth multiple reads.
This is truly an inspiring story, and worth multiple reads.
November 22, 2014
Beautifully written and philosophically sound! I no longer feel alone in the way that my brain works, in how I feel what I feel, in knowing that I am different but the same. Life is beautiful but can be harsh and lovely at the same time. It's the creativity in life that keeps me alive and going. Charlotte Eriksson was brave enough to share her brain and her heart in a way that few others have been able to. Her philosophies about life and how she got there are hauntingly beautiful.
July 11, 2013
I loved it. It was simply amazing.
I found it very interesting, it makes you think about life.
I found it very interesting, it makes you think about life.
May 13, 2013
Beautiful.
May 1, 2015
Great story of self discovery .. a page turner!
March 11, 2017
Overall, I think Eriksson is an inspiring artist. I've listened to her on a couple of podcasts and she comes across as earthy and real.
I began following her Facebook page and was surprised to find my positive (and supportive) comments were deleted.
I had 'liked' Charlotte's page with my 'Facebook Artist Page' as I don't have a personal FB account that I use.
I wondered perhaps if she thought I was trying to promote myself on her Page. Then another artist I spoke to who also (use to) follow Charlotte, said the same thing happened to them!
No doubt behind the river of positive quotes that she posts, is an insecure young woman. And no doubt this is what makes her music and journey so beautiful.
I was interested to read her book but was disappointed that she has basically paraphrased Charles Bukowski (my favorite author) and claimed his words as her own.
(as other reviewers/readers have said).
(not cool) All artists steal but she does it SO obviously, for example:
March 09 2017: (on her facebook) I have a screenshot but it won't upload
Charlotte Eriksson
9 March at 06:51 ·
I think sometimes I try to write down my life in order to experience a little of it twice.
Anais Nin is famous for saying: We write to taste life twice. It's so 'obvious' to those who have read the greats.
But the rest of the book ( although repetitive) has glimpses of soulfulness, rawness and truth.
I began following her Facebook page and was surprised to find my positive (and supportive) comments were deleted.
I had 'liked' Charlotte's page with my 'Facebook Artist Page' as I don't have a personal FB account that I use.
I wondered perhaps if she thought I was trying to promote myself on her Page. Then another artist I spoke to who also (use to) follow Charlotte, said the same thing happened to them!
No doubt behind the river of positive quotes that she posts, is an insecure young woman. And no doubt this is what makes her music and journey so beautiful.
I was interested to read her book but was disappointed that she has basically paraphrased Charles Bukowski (my favorite author) and claimed his words as her own.
(as other reviewers/readers have said).
(not cool) All artists steal but she does it SO obviously, for example:
March 09 2017: (on her facebook) I have a screenshot but it won't upload
Charlotte Eriksson
9 March at 06:51 ·
I think sometimes I try to write down my life in order to experience a little of it twice.
Anais Nin is famous for saying: We write to taste life twice. It's so 'obvious' to those who have read the greats.
But the rest of the book ( although repetitive) has glimpses of soulfulness, rawness and truth.
July 19, 2013
This is the true journey of Charlotte Eriksson. Right from the start, I felt a connection and familiarity with her thoughts. I've never been a conventional thinker. I've always felt different. While people around me find comfort doing normal things that have been done billions of times before with no end, living normal lives that have been lived billions of times before, I have not. People find comfort in material things that will no longer be with them when they die. Sometimes I feel like my eyes are the only ones open.
Charlotte has reminded me that other people think like me and not everyone is afraid to live the life that they want to. No matter what happens, the obstacles that you run into, the things that you face, you will never know yourself truly until you actually make an effort to discover yourself. I love the words in her book and I found myself on the verge of tears a few times because our thoughts are so hauntingly similar and the more I read, it just made me want to go out there and be me and stop being that guy I'm afraid to be. This is an inspiring masterpiece. Please give it a read.
Charlotte has reminded me that other people think like me and not everyone is afraid to live the life that they want to. No matter what happens, the obstacles that you run into, the things that you face, you will never know yourself truly until you actually make an effort to discover yourself. I love the words in her book and I found myself on the verge of tears a few times because our thoughts are so hauntingly similar and the more I read, it just made me want to go out there and be me and stop being that guy I'm afraid to be. This is an inspiring masterpiece. Please give it a read.
November 4, 2016
I wanted to write this as soon as I finished the book, while all the thoughts and feelings this book gave me are intact. I love Charlotte's songs, they always struck me as incredibly personal and relatable. I knew her book wouldn't be less than that. While I agree some things seem to be said more than once (hence the 4 stars), the overall quality of the writing is great. Cause I lay now in my bed, writing this, feeling like I've lived what she lived. Feeling the struggles, the extasy, the pain. Feeling I love this wonderful human, wishing I could've been there, to somehow help in the darkest of times. I will be buying the rest of her books, it's a great night read, to make you question your existence at least a bit.
Read
May 17, 2016This is seriously one of the best things I've ever read. I relate to every single line that Eriksson writes and every feeling she felt through her journey. Her story is so beautiful and so inspiring. I find myself flipping through this book all the time and rereading the lines that I highlighted.
MUST READ.
MUST READ.
September 22, 2014
I believe we discover books at certain moments in our,lives to guide us towards a better understanding of ourselves and those around us. This book is perfect for anyone at any point in their lives, ready and waiting to guide you.
July 2, 2015
Charlotte Eriksson "Empty roads & Broken Bottles in search of the Great Perhaps" Is the first book I read of Charlottes and I loved it and couldn't put it down!!! Please check this book out!!! You won't be disappointed :)
July 29, 2015
This book deserves a rating of more than 5 stars! Every single line was something I can relate to so I guess this was personally written for me. New fave book
December 1, 2018
I was hoping for this book to mean more for me personally, seeing as Charlotte seemed to have experienced what many of us experienced to the fullest. Vagabonding around with a clear purpose trying to make a home in us, as she says, in order to be able to live with ourselves.
Although I found several parts of the book touching and there is for sure some wisdom to be gained from them, the book as a whole seems, sort of distant. As she explains in the end, Charlotte is the Glass Child - exposing herself but only from behind a viewing glass, so that you are not able to touch. And this is exactly what I felt throughout the book. Charlotte goes into details about what she thinks and what she feels and how she's angry or blissful, but in the end we only get her point of view. We don't get to see her for ourselves, we only get to see what she sees of herself. And this makes it hard to connect to someone, hard to understand. A transformation, in my opinion, is worth only as much as understanding the reasons behind it - who were the people she met and shaped her, pushed in different directions? We only get to see the end result and, as nice as it is, I don't think it will help anyone change.
And as a last point, I found the writing itself a bit disappointing. Again, there are of course beautifully written parts, but for the most part it's raw and incoherent, as if you tried to do a one-to-one translation from emotions to distinct words. Surely it serves a purpose, however that doesn't mean it makes for a pleasant read.
I still recommend the book and I think you might find something useful in it if you can relate to her story, but in my opinion as a work of any sort of literature it falls short.
Although I found several parts of the book touching and there is for sure some wisdom to be gained from them, the book as a whole seems, sort of distant. As she explains in the end, Charlotte is the Glass Child - exposing herself but only from behind a viewing glass, so that you are not able to touch. And this is exactly what I felt throughout the book. Charlotte goes into details about what she thinks and what she feels and how she's angry or blissful, but in the end we only get her point of view. We don't get to see her for ourselves, we only get to see what she sees of herself. And this makes it hard to connect to someone, hard to understand. A transformation, in my opinion, is worth only as much as understanding the reasons behind it - who were the people she met and shaped her, pushed in different directions? We only get to see the end result and, as nice as it is, I don't think it will help anyone change.
And as a last point, I found the writing itself a bit disappointing. Again, there are of course beautifully written parts, but for the most part it's raw and incoherent, as if you tried to do a one-to-one translation from emotions to distinct words. Surely it serves a purpose, however that doesn't mean it makes for a pleasant read.
I still recommend the book and I think you might find something useful in it if you can relate to her story, but in my opinion as a work of any sort of literature it falls short.
December 9, 2017
This book was on my asap list. I think it was the quotes that drew me in, but I don't remember how it got there to begin with. But when I stumbled on it already there, read quotes from it, I knew I had to own it and read the whole thing.
Because I could relate.
Not to giving up everything and traveling abroad or pursuing music.
But to the desire for freedom.
To the pain inside that spills over, and out on paper or art or long conversations you're having with yourself or authours, thinkers or random people.
I could relate to the fear and the feeling of being unworthy, not enough, needing to change.
Of losing hope, and finding it again, only to lose it again.
To making plans and having dreams, only to see them crushed or slowed down or lost, and for something else to appear, not in the time, manner or form you expected or preferred.
And still, somehow in hindsight, you see that it served you well. Even if you couldn't see it when you were in the midst of it.
So I felt like Charlotte Eriksson was a kindred spirit. Going through some of the same struggles that so many of us do, in her own way, weaving her own threads, writing her own story.
As I do mine.
But it's a nice feeling to know, that we are not alone.
None of us.
Unique? Yes.
But not alone.
Thank you Charlotte, for showing up for this life, and for showing others a glimpse of your world, your mind.
I'm sure there are many others who found this relatable and helpful too, as did I. ❤️🙏😘
Because I could relate.
Not to giving up everything and traveling abroad or pursuing music.
But to the desire for freedom.
To the pain inside that spills over, and out on paper or art or long conversations you're having with yourself or authours, thinkers or random people.
I could relate to the fear and the feeling of being unworthy, not enough, needing to change.
Of losing hope, and finding it again, only to lose it again.
To making plans and having dreams, only to see them crushed or slowed down or lost, and for something else to appear, not in the time, manner or form you expected or preferred.
And still, somehow in hindsight, you see that it served you well. Even if you couldn't see it when you were in the midst of it.
So I felt like Charlotte Eriksson was a kindred spirit. Going through some of the same struggles that so many of us do, in her own way, weaving her own threads, writing her own story.
As I do mine.
But it's a nice feeling to know, that we are not alone.
None of us.
Unique? Yes.
But not alone.
Thank you Charlotte, for showing up for this life, and for showing others a glimpse of your world, your mind.
I'm sure there are many others who found this relatable and helpful too, as did I. ❤️🙏😘
January 28, 2019
This may be my favorite book. I kept highlighting numerous things on each page thinking "That's me!" or "That's how I think". I am always having that constant urge to up root my life and move away, away from family and friends---to be just be alone and take a break and find myself---and find what the hell "find myself" means.
This is book is the best friend in a time that I have nobody. I wish I could hug Charlotte and talk to her for hours at some café. Her thought process was so similar to my own and I kept thinking "Exactly"---someone put into words things I am unable to. It's so entirely magical to stumble upon a book that really gives light to a book being a friend. I'm gonna keep going back to this book and rereading it. As Charlotte says: " This journey is about me, but it's also about you, if you want to be".
This may get lost in all the reviews, but I genuinly want to thank Charlotte for writing this book. I have terrible depression and at this time in my life I keep teetering on wanting to commit suicide. I had stopped reading for a long time because it just didn't give me pleasure anymore. However, this book really spoke to me and it keeps speaking to me---it's kind of the voice that says "dont" and i'm grateful.
This is book is the best friend in a time that I have nobody. I wish I could hug Charlotte and talk to her for hours at some café. Her thought process was so similar to my own and I kept thinking "Exactly"---someone put into words things I am unable to. It's so entirely magical to stumble upon a book that really gives light to a book being a friend. I'm gonna keep going back to this book and rereading it. As Charlotte says: " This journey is about me, but it's also about you, if you want to be".
This may get lost in all the reviews, but I genuinly want to thank Charlotte for writing this book. I have terrible depression and at this time in my life I keep teetering on wanting to commit suicide. I had stopped reading for a long time because it just didn't give me pleasure anymore. However, this book really spoke to me and it keeps speaking to me---it's kind of the voice that says "dont" and i'm grateful.
January 31, 2018
This book was really good. She talked about her life and her travel so beautifully and it all just flowed together. She put it together like a perfect puzzle. She talked about heart ache and how she never stayed in one place for too long. She doesn't want to stay in one place for too long because then she will get attached and she doesn't want to get attached to anyone. If she does its hard for her when she moves on to some place new. She only carries her guitar with her. Her guitar is like her best friend. My favorite quote from the book is "Let me wake up next to you, have coffee in the morning and wander through the city with your hand in mine, and I'll be happy for the rest of my little life."
January 22, 2021
From an empty shell of a little ordinary girl living a sweet ordinary hell trying to find a place in this world with empty roads, empty bottles, empty streets to finally breaking that glass, molding cracks with pavements with her songs and poetry, Charlotte is still a human trying, learning, discovering to find her where her life takes her on this poetic, songful journey. Making all her dreams come true. I liked these poems: I Will Love You Like World Is Ending, Someone Should Have Told Me This, There Will Be A New Day, Every day.
June 24, 2017
"I'm here to kill your hero. I'm here to tell you about the real climb, the real mountain; the stepping-stones that break, the beasts that no one warned me about, the storm that killed my fire and stole my friends."
It's been a while since I read a book that hit me like this one did. A journey to self discovery. Feeling lost lately? This book is for you.
It's been a while since I read a book that hit me like this one did. A journey to self discovery. Feeling lost lately? This book is for you.
August 5, 2022
Eeerily brilliant, but disturbing. I felt like I had looked inside the head of a self-destructive (suicidal?) genius, like a Van Gogh. She need(ed) therapy. Hope Eriksson is doing better. Although her writing might suffer, at least she will survive to an age where she finds the boring balance of old age.
December 26, 2017
Charlotte Eriksson is such a phenomenal writer. I’ve been looking for raw and authentic words for the last few months, and she did not disappoint.
“...live it. Breathe it. Let it consume you, write it on your skin, and your very existence shall be a great story.”
Highly recommend.
“...live it. Breathe it. Let it consume you, write it on your skin, and your very existence shall be a great story.”
Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews