Small Fry

Living in Palo Alto in the 1980s, we often heard rumors that Steve had a daughter named Lisa for whom the computer was named. No one seemed to know whether this was a true story or an urban legend, and certainly none of us realized that Lisa and her mom lived among us -- going out for dinner to the Good Earth, shopping at Units, cruising down University Avenue. Meanwhile, especially after Steve and Laurene married and more kids came along, we often ran into them: getting dessert at Gelato Classico, buying gifts at Palo Alto Toy & Sport, even roller skating along Homer near Whole Foods. Whatever else we thought about Steve, he seemed like a devoted dad. Except he wasn't. Lots of people are raised by substandard parents. You don't get to choose your mom and dad. For many of us, recovery can take decades or maybe even never. But Lisa, to her unending credit, is able to tell a story that radiates affection despite describing neglect that borders on abuse. She walks us through her childhood and teen years with unstinting candor, including a number of anecdotes that highlight her own missteps. The most affecting scenes are the mother-daughter stories. Chris doesn't seem like a candidate for Mom of the Year, as she leaves Lisa by herself as a young child, brings home a series of boyfriends, moves from house to house, and often loses her temper. But because we see her through Lisa's eyes, our takeaway is the shared adoration between mother and child, and we understand that for all her foibles, Chris fought to give her daughter the best possible life. And in many ways her efforts were stymied rather than supported by the fact that Steve overshadowed their lives, even during the years that he remained detached from them. Lisa is an artist, and her writing is the verbal equivalent of a painting, every detail sharply rendered. For that reason alone, this book is worth a reader's attention. Years ago I read an autobiography written by a poet whose narrative resonated like a poem; Small Fry hits that same note and sustains it. If not for her famous father, her book probably would never have been published, and that would have been a loss to all of us.

Today it is common knowledge that the first three years of a child's life are critical years of development. The author had no contact with her father during those years since her parents never married - so her emotional outlook was exclusively shaped by her (bi-polar?) mother. I found the book interesting because her mother had written a demand letter to Jobs for $25 million - an amount which she felt was "fair" for raising Lisa - and had already penned and released her own version of their collective history (The Bite In The Apple). In Small Fry, Lisa adds her own voice to her mother's neediness for money. Apparently whatever Steve gave them wasn't enough in their own minds - and mother-daughter had no inclination to save and burned through money. Steve recoiled from anyone who he perceived was trying to manipulate him for cash - like most wealthy people - and the constant demands sadly emotionally estranged him - to his own detriment as well as the rest of the family. Love and financial responsibility go hand in hand - and at the end he had sincere regrets. And admitted that he "owed" Lisa... not sure how much money she inherited - or if she in turn financially supports her mother today - but it obviously wasn't enough. And although the book has touching moments, it is hard to visit the editorial choices made without thinking this was an exercise in revenge and literary passive-aggression. Lisa certainly has every right to feel shortchanged by both parents and airs her own perspective, adding incidents that justify her viewpoint. I feel sad that Steve's personal privacy - once more - will be public fodder. He was a complex person, but he is dead now. I kept wondering (since he reportedly left Lisa a multi-million dollar inheritance) if she has already burned through it - along with her mother - and this book is another way to get whatever Steve "owed" them by cashing in on his famous name. Every single mother - and absentee father - should read this book, to understand the child's perspective on being juggled between two parents/two worlds. It is relevant and eye opening. Good lesson about family dynamics and child support. If you want to read about Steve Jobs "Becoming Steve Jobs" is by far the best book I've read about him to date. If you want a cautionary and thought provoking lesson in providing child support and navigating custody and raising kids - this is a good read. Well written. As a single mother myself, I felt for Lisa and her mom - however as someone who knew Jobs through the 1980's and was a start up female entrepreneur (thanks to Jimmy Carter who started an SBA program providing start up loans to women), I also have more compassion for his flaws and personal privacy. He had a lot on his plate and I was glad that Lisa remembered some good times that he shared with her and captured his rare electric charisma. Sad story, but a cautionary tale for all single parents - and certainly worth reading.

Una colección de memorias contadas de una forma muy amena y fresca. Disfruté muchísimo de este libro y del modo en que describe sus vivencias y a su padre desde la mirada de niña (luego adulta) que lo retrata de la manera más humana jamás conocida de él...con defectos de toda índole, momentos de grandeza y egolatría máxima y momentos de hombre minúsculo, torpe... Sin rencores ni ornamentos, un relato concreto y descriptivo de recuerdos y vivencias muy humanas. Si tienes nociones claras de inglés, se puede leer perfectamente porque no usa conceptos demasiado intrincados, difíciles de interpretar en nuestra lengua.

I really enjoyed this book and was Mesmerized by the way LBJ described her life growing up with Steve Jobs as a father. Very touching how at his impending demise he did finally admit his neglect and cruelty. Not a bit voyeuristic but an essential truth.

Amazing relation between Steve Jobs and his daughter.

The author has written a perceptive, painful book about so many missed opportunities for father and herself to become close, discover each other , avoiding harsh judgements...Steve Jobs was certainly a most complex and tortuous human being, pulling and pushing others continuously, giving sometimes, taking often and we can only be amazed at his daughter Lisa surviving such emotional mayhem. Her mother despite deep psychological turmoil, remained there for her, through the ups and downs of everyday life, providing emotional support , and a lasting relationship flawed as it might have been. Despite all Lisa pulled through - an inner strength she inherited from her father no doubt. Thank you for an impressive portrait of humanity.

This book is extremely well written in a very competent literary style. Those interest in Steve Jobs will want to read this but even those who aren't will enjoy it. Once again, we see that Steve Jobs acted at times like a dirt-bag toward his family. He was a genius when it came to Apple and making money but he was quite the dummy in terms of being a good human being. But her love for her father ultimately shines through. Lucky for him.