Candy often introduced herself as "a gay, Native, recovered-lawyer-turned feminist comic." She had a vibrant career that included national television, radio, speaking engagements, and comedy shows. I found Candy through her Youtube channel and I watched her channel for many years. She inspired me as an Indigenous woman, a woman who loved beauty products, loved reading, and someone who was clearly a storyteller. When Candy passed away on December 25th, 2021, the world lost a shining star. When she passed, I knew her memoir was being released. I had already pre-ordered it and I couldn't wait to read it. I was ecstatic when I received an advanced copy for review purposes. Running Down a Dream is now a posthumous memoir, and one that I'm so happy Candy had a chance to complete before she passed. Releasing October, 18th, 2022 from Harper Collins Canada. If you're a fan of Candy's, you'll want to read this book.
Three major truths- according to Candy
1. It is never too late.
2. You will fail.
3. You are enough.
Candy recounts her life journey, the highs, the lows, the obstacles, and all the doubt. She praises her family for all of their love and support, and she also doesn't leave out the unpleasantness that comes along with family. They make their mistakes, you don't always get along or understand their life choices but you love one another. She writes about a toxic relationship she was in for many years, bullying in the workplace, and she also writes about her lowest low and meeting her wife Denise. I want to emphasize how well Candy's voice shines through in this book. She stresses self-love and self-acceptance and we all know this isn't always easy. Candy writes about being a late-bloomer and how we think we want one thing, but our heart tells us another and that's okay. Embrace both your successes and your failures- they help shape you, but always find a way to get back up and keep moving.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this memoir, it was as if a friend was sitting down and telling me her life journey. As a Youtube watcher of The Candy Show, I felt like this was a continuation of all the tidbits she spoke about on her channel. Often, she would speak about her loving family, how nurturing Denise was to her, and a few times she spoke about how she "lived with a man for years before she was with Denise." This memoir puts all those stories into chronological order. Her wife and manager, Denise wrote the Foreword for the book, and I was brought to tears. Denise your words were lovely. Candy was gone too soon, and she is missed by many.
*Source: I received an advanced copy for review purposes only. Opinions are always my own.
.jpeg)
I have heard of Candy but have never saw her You Tube videos. Your review of this memoir has me wanting to look them up and give them a try. I don't read a lot of memoirs, but this does sound like the kind I would enjoy. She sounds like an amazing person. I'm sorry the world lost her so soon.
ReplyDelete