Crossing Fifty-One
Not Quite a Memoir
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Crossing Fifty-One
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Narrated by:
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Cassandra Parker
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By:
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Debbie Russell
About this listen
Three Generations of Family Secrets and Midlife Crises All Set the Stage for One Dream to Come True.
A week before Christmas 1951, Dr. Ralph Russell risked everything to voluntarily enter a locked federal drug-treatment facility known as a "narcotic farm."
Sixty-five years later, Dr. Russell's granddaughter Debbie suffers a debilitating crisis of identity when her father (Dr. Russell's oldest son), always her biggest fan, is accepted into hospice. Debbie's investigation into her paternal lineage reveals family secrets and ignites her mother's volatile outbursts, propelling her into therapy. When therapy fails her, the grandfather Debbie never knew saves her, and she collaborates with her dying father one last time to make her biggest dream come true. Crossing Fifty-One pulls back the curtain on the internal struggles of midlife and provides a blueprint for redefining one's self beyond the constraints of addiction and dysfunctional family dynamics.
©2023 Debbie Russell (P)2025 Debbie RussellCritic reviews
"Debbie Russell uses her lawyer brain to delve deep into her family's past and, through that, figures out her own place in the world. It is a deeply satisfying and enjoyable read, and a great tool for anyone embarking on their own journey." --Julie Klam, New York Times bestselling author of The Almost Legendary Morris Sisters
Listener received this title free
Being 2 peas in a pod with her father and eventually losing him after years of caretaking for him. I completely relate.
The story also folds in all the family heritage of her grandfather Pop and her great grandfather, it is a wealth of information, but a wonderful memoir for her and her cousins and brother.
thank you
Debbie speaks from the heart.
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The author, Debbie Russell, carefully unpacks her paternal lineage, uncovering long-held secrets and shedding light on her mother’s erratic behavior. While her mother’s instability drives her into therapy, it’s the discoveries from her research that ultimately lead to healing. Through personal reflection and family letters and journals, Russell reveals how upbringing shapes adult choices and self-worth. Her voice is authentic, weaving a compelling narrative drawn from both memory and family archives.
Narrator Cassandra Parker brings Debbie’s journal to life with a clear, expressive voice that resonates with authenticity and emotion. Her delivery is both steady and immersive, drawing listeners into the heart of the story with nuance and grace. Parker’s performance captures the raw vulnerability and quiet strength in Debbie’s words, making the emotional moments more poignant and the revelations more powerful. By the end, listeners are not just hearing a story—they're experiencing a reflection of their own lives through Parker’s compelling narration.
A captivating and heartfelt journey—Debbie’s path of discovery and personal growth is both moving and inspiring. I appreciated witnessing her struggles and how she ultimately came into her own.
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Heart-Felt Journey
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An Interesting Read
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An intertwined family legacy story.
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