Hippie Boy: A Girl’s Story by Ingrid Ricks

Ingrid Ricks tells the story of her childhood with honesty and candor.  Her mother is a devout LDS (Mormon) covert from Austria and her father a lax Mormon.  The story starts when her parents are divorced and her mother marries homeless, jobless Earl because he is thought to be a “good priesthood man”.  Earl makes life at home quite unbearable through his demands for respect and efforts to reform his ‘horrible’ step-children.

 Ingrid (or Hippie Boy as her father calls her) escapes by going on the road with her salesman father every summer.  It is only with her father that she feels safe and loved.  Their exploits on the road are entertaining, but the true story is of Ingrid’s growth as she learns to rely on herself.

This was written by a friend of a friend.  I must say I loved it. It takes a lot of courage to put your life out there for the world to see, but I’m so glad she did.

4 stars (Rated PG for disturbing situations)