House of Pretend
A Memoir
$31.50
- Paperback
256 pages
- Release Date
19 May 2026
Summary
Perfect for fans of The Glass Castle and Educated, this raw, powerful memoir recounts one woman’s journey—from gritty 1970s Brooklyn to testosterone-fueled 1980s–1990s Wall Street and beyond—to reclaim truth, identity, and self-worth after trauma.
A powerful memoir of trauma, resilience, and female empowerment, House of Pretend tells the story of a girl who, raised in the shadow of her father’s death by an emotionally abusive, narcissistic mother, learns ear…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9798896363088 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Joanne Redding |
| Publisher: | She Writes Press |
| Imprint: | She Writes Press |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 256 |
| Release Date: | 19 May 2026 |
| Weight: | 210g |
| Dimensions: | 140mm x 216mm |
Critics Review
“With unflinching honesty and unexpected wit, Joanne Redding has written a brave story about the cost of silence, the complexity of forgiving those who’ve hurt us, and the harder task of forgiving ourselves. She writes with the heart of someone who refuses to hide anymore—not just from the world, but from the truth.”—Michael Hainey, author of After Visiting Friends
“House of Pretend is raw, unsentimental, and deeply human—an unmasking of survival, resilience, and self-worth. Joanne’s story lingers long after the final page, a testament to the power of choosing oneself and telling the truth out loud.”—Laura Munson, New York Times best-selling author and founder of the Haven Writing Retreats
“Joanne Redding’s immensely satisfying and resonant memoir should be a classic for years to come. Touching on questions that are universal in the examination of her life, it’s everything you want in a good read—rich, unexpected, funny, heartbreaking, and, ultimately, full of grace and wisdom.”—David Kirkpatrick, former president of Paramount Pictures and former production chief of Walt Disney Studios
“House of Pretend is raw, unflinching, aching, and impossible to put down. With crystalline prose and propulsive writing, Joanne guides us through her childhood—a childhood shattered by loss, neglect, and family secrets. The immediacy of Joanne’s writing rivets your attention, but it is her grace, honesty, and compassion that gives this story resonance, reminding us that it is always possible to reclaim your voice.”—Andrea Leeb, USA Today best-selling author of Such A Pretty Picture
Joanne Redding
Joanne Redding grew up in Brooklyn and eventually made her way to Manhattan, then the suburbs of Westchester County, and finally Greenwich, CT. She holds a bachelor’s degree in French and a master’s in finance from NYU and is a certified Master Gardener with a degree in landscape design. Over the years, she’s worked at an airport and an engineering firm, spent over fifteen years on Wall Street, and run her own landscape design business. The proud mom of two amazing young adults, Joanne shares her home in the New York City area with her two elderly but endlessly loved dogs.
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