Call number
BIO BRE
Collection
Genres
Publication
Grove Press (2019), Edition: Reprint, 416 pages
Description
"A frank, smart and captivating memoir by the daughter of Apple founder Steve Jobs. Born on a farm and named in a field by her parents--artist Chrisann Brennan and Steve Jobs--Lisa Brennan-Jobs's childhood unfolded in a rapidly changing Silicon Valley. When she was young, Lisa's father was a mythical figure who was rarely present in her life. As she grew older, her father took an interest in her, ushering her into a new world of mansions, vacations, and private schools. His attention was thrilling, but he could also be cold, critical and unpredictable. When her relationship with her mother grew strained in high school, Lisa decided to move in with her father, hoping he'd become the parent she'd always wanted him to be. Small Fry is Lisa Brennan-Jobs's poignant story of a childhood spent between two imperfect but extraordinary homes. Scrappy, wise, and funny, young Lisa is an unforgettable guide through her parents' fascinating and disparate worlds. Part portrait of a complex family, part love letter to California in the seventies and eighties, Small Fry is an enthralling book by an insightful new literary voice."--Provided by publisher.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Whisper1
This is truly is such a great book that writing a review is difficult.
Told from the perspective of Lisa Brennan-Jobs, this is the story of her mercurial relationship with her famous father, Steve Jobs. While her father, the creator of the Mac Apple computer, and creative consultant of Pixar movie
Originally, when her father discovered her impending birth, he wanted nothing to do with her or her mother. When her mother finally was able to obtain support money, Jobs made sure that his lawyer drew up, and had the papers signed the day before his company went public, thus immediately rendering him a mega millionaire for the rest of his life, while keeping his illegitimate family always on the fringe.
Hauntingly beautiful, Lisa tells of the hippie style life her mother and father lived when they met. After years of abandonment, he sporadically showed up at the latest residence her mother could afford and took Lisa with him for short periods of time.
As the years progressed, her father decided to invite her to his luxurious mansion in the hills of California. Consistently referring to her as "Lis," his mood swings and temperamental behaviors left Lisa never knowing what way the wind would blow, or what small incidental event provided an opportunity for him to lash out with purposeful hate while spewing vile, exceedingly nasty, diatribe mental comments to any one in his path.
Always knowing she was on the outside, while desperately craving his attention, that attention came sporadically, and at times inappropriately crude. As Jobs married and had three other children, the hurt became more extreme, and once she overheard one of her step sisters refer to her in public as "my father's mistake." Job's website mentioned a wife and three children. For all to see, Lisa his first of four, was not included.
When Jobs knew he was dying, he verbally tried to assuage his guilt while telling "Lis" that he knew that for many years, he wasn't there for her, and now it was too late. On his death bed he repeatedly told her "I owe you one." Lisa knew "One" would never be enough!
Exquisitely written, hauntingly told, this is a compelling story of a brilliant and very emotionally troubled man.
Told from the perspective of Lisa Brennan-Jobs, this is the story of her mercurial relationship with her famous father, Steve Jobs. While her father, the creator of the Mac Apple computer, and creative consultant of Pixar movie
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studios, became a mega millionaire, Lisa and her mother often lived without food and shelter. Roaming from one place to another, their existence was fraught with despair and longing.Originally, when her father discovered her impending birth, he wanted nothing to do with her or her mother. When her mother finally was able to obtain support money, Jobs made sure that his lawyer drew up, and had the papers signed the day before his company went public, thus immediately rendering him a mega millionaire for the rest of his life, while keeping his illegitimate family always on the fringe.
Hauntingly beautiful, Lisa tells of the hippie style life her mother and father lived when they met. After years of abandonment, he sporadically showed up at the latest residence her mother could afford and took Lisa with him for short periods of time.
As the years progressed, her father decided to invite her to his luxurious mansion in the hills of California. Consistently referring to her as "Lis," his mood swings and temperamental behaviors left Lisa never knowing what way the wind would blow, or what small incidental event provided an opportunity for him to lash out with purposeful hate while spewing vile, exceedingly nasty, diatribe mental comments to any one in his path.
Always knowing she was on the outside, while desperately craving his attention, that attention came sporadically, and at times inappropriately crude. As Jobs married and had three other children, the hurt became more extreme, and once she overheard one of her step sisters refer to her in public as "my father's mistake." Job's website mentioned a wife and three children. For all to see, Lisa his first of four, was not included.
When Jobs knew he was dying, he verbally tried to assuage his guilt while telling "Lis" that he knew that for many years, he wasn't there for her, and now it was too late. On his death bed he repeatedly told her "I owe you one." Lisa knew "One" would never be enough!
Exquisitely written, hauntingly told, this is a compelling story of a brilliant and very emotionally troubled man.
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LibraryThing member akblanchard
Lisa Brennan-Jobs had quite an unconventional upbringing. Her mother was a dedicated but impoverished artist; her father, Apple founder Steve Jobs, was a multimillionaire who at best only grudgingly acknowledged paternity. Despite the instability of her home life, Lisa emerges as a bright,
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sensitive girl of whom any father would be proud. I found this memoir engaging, but emotionally taxing. It is filled with example after example of how Jobs was a jerk. It got to be a bit much after awhile. I could only read it in small bites. Show Less
LibraryThing member Tytania
Brennan-Jobs is the first daughter of Steve Jobs, born out of wedlock in the 1970s and unacknowledged by him for the first years of her life. This book is about her childhood from birth through her entrance to Harvard with a small coda that takes place during her adulthood around the time of Jobs'
The book feels like a brain dump of all her memories, interesting or not. Mixed emotions are part of virtually every paragraph - her mixed feelings towards her father, her mother, and theirs towards her. Nothing congeals. Steve is a weirdo. Her mother tries but is overstressed by life as a single mother. Lisa bats from house to house, and nothing gets better. The story lacked "narrative arc." her childhood wasn't bad enough for this really to stand as a "victory over adversity" novel. It's just an inside peek at someone's childhood, someone who happened to be related to somebody famous. It got tiresome.
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death.The book feels like a brain dump of all her memories, interesting or not. Mixed emotions are part of virtually every paragraph - her mixed feelings towards her father, her mother, and theirs towards her. Nothing congeals. Steve is a weirdo. Her mother tries but is overstressed by life as a single mother. Lisa bats from house to house, and nothing gets better. The story lacked "narrative arc." her childhood wasn't bad enough for this really to stand as a "victory over adversity" novel. It's just an inside peek at someone's childhood, someone who happened to be related to somebody famous. It got tiresome.
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LibraryThing member DKnight0918
One of the best memoirs I have read in a long time. Her writing is lyrical, magical, and delightful. I hope to see more books from her in the future.
LibraryThing member etxgardener
As I read Lisa Brenna-Jobs' memoir of growing up with a famous, but emotionally withholding father (the "genius" Steve Jobs), I found myself wondering how she made it out of her childhood, not only alive, but seemingly well adjusted. I also wondered who was worse: her feckless mother or her
Brennan-Jobs' mother is narcissistic and unwilling to work at any kind of practical job that will provide a living for herself and her child. She bounces from one man to another, all the while maintaining the laughable fiction that she is an artist. However, she is not purposely cruel and she does love her daughter.
The same cannot be said for Steve Jobs who denies paternity until faced with DNA evidence and then demands slavish devotion to himself and his twisted idea of family loyalty. All the while he is deliberately and sadistically cruel. He has a photographer come to take a family portrait for Christmas cards and makes Brennan-Jobs step out of the picture. He asks her to accompany himself and his wife to a wedding in Napa, but when they arrive, she is told she is just there to babysit her toddler half brother. And finally, he refuses to pay the tuition for her last year at Harvard and lets a generous neighbor pick up the tab.
Brennan-Jobs herself is a joy. At times terribly needy, but also smart and resourceful. It was wonderful to see her grow as her book progressed. I hope we hear a lot more from her in the future.
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manipulative and emotionally stunted father. In the end, I landed on the latter.Brennan-Jobs' mother is narcissistic and unwilling to work at any kind of practical job that will provide a living for herself and her child. She bounces from one man to another, all the while maintaining the laughable fiction that she is an artist. However, she is not purposely cruel and she does love her daughter.
The same cannot be said for Steve Jobs who denies paternity until faced with DNA evidence and then demands slavish devotion to himself and his twisted idea of family loyalty. All the while he is deliberately and sadistically cruel. He has a photographer come to take a family portrait for Christmas cards and makes Brennan-Jobs step out of the picture. He asks her to accompany himself and his wife to a wedding in Napa, but when they arrive, she is told she is just there to babysit her toddler half brother. And finally, he refuses to pay the tuition for her last year at Harvard and lets a generous neighbor pick up the tab.
Brennan-Jobs herself is a joy. At times terribly needy, but also smart and resourceful. It was wonderful to see her grow as her book progressed. I hope we hear a lot more from her in the future.
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LibraryThing member KatherineGregg
Small Fry is Lisa Brennan-Jobs' memoir about growing up as the daughter of Steve Jobs. Lisa's parents never married and Jobs didn't really acknowledge that Lisa was his daughter for many years. Over time Jobs spends a little time with Lisa but is unable to provide a terribly loving or nurturing
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relationship that one would hope for from a parent. Life at home with Brennan is not ideal either but Lisa makes the most of it since this is the only life she knows. Having read Isaacson's biography on Jobs which left me with not a high opinion of Jobs as a human being, it was very interesting to hear Lisa's perspective. In my opinion, she is a very forgiving daughter. Show Less
LibraryThing member carolfoisset
Interesting insight into Steve Jobs and his family life. The flow of the story seemed disjointed at times, jumping from one scene to another without transition. I did like Lisa's descriptive writing passages and am curious if she will be working on another book soon.
LibraryThing member bunny0055
Thank you Small Fry. You gave your views on growing up coping with difficulties that would have crippled some. I related to many connections you made between you and your parents lives. Thank you for such an insightful view of your memories. Wishes for your wellness.
LibraryThing member MandaTheStrange
I'm thankful to Lisa Brennan-Jobs for writing this book and for telling her truth. In many movies, documentaries and bios I've read/watched Steve Jobs is always painted to be this god-like figure, his cruelty is excused for eccentricity, which isn't okay. This book really made him to be more human
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and unfortunately a pretty shit one at that. Lisa's a talented writer but I felt like this book was more of a therapy session...I had to put it down a few times as she doesn't really understand or acknowledge her privilege and all the doors it ultimately opened for her. Show Less
LibraryThing member loraineo
The oldest daughter of Steve Jobs writes a memoir of her complicated relationship with him and also with her mom. Some parts more interesting than others.
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — Autobiography/Memoir — 2019)
Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year (Nonfiction — 2018)
NPR: Books We Love (2018)
San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year (Nonfiction — 2018)
The New York Times Best Books of the Year (Nonfiction — 2018)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Non-Fiction — 2018)
ISBN
0802147216 / 9780802147219