VARIOUS—Many people write biographies, but it takes a special writer to be able to turn surprising, shocking, abnormal and even unfortunate experiences, into a funny, fascinating and highly-readable book. The newest member of this select group is "I'm Perfect, You're Doomed: Tales from a Jehovah's Witness Upbringing" by Kyria Abrahams.

Courtesy of Simon & Schuster.

Kyria Abrahams's new autobiographical book, "I'm Perfect, You're Doomed" is a comical chronicle of her misadventures as a fallen Jehovah's Witness, and her coming to terms as an adult, while still a child. Abrahams weaves an entertaining and humorous tale of an alternately very strict and ultimately quite unstructured existence, ultimately leaving the reader rooting for her, hoping that she was on her way to that happy medium in between extremes.

Abrahams's writes of her blended family upbringing, as her family history only recently included being a part of the Jehovah's Witnesses, per chance. Though Abrahams at times throws some of the more eye-opening tid bits for readers to understand, she generally does so with respect and restraint, for her former religion. One can almost sense hints of Mark Twain-esque humor. Abrahams points out the ridiculous, amidst daily life, without necessarily explaining why the reader should laugh... and yet the reader can understand, digest and enjoy her range of talent.

Abrahams is so disarmingly sincere about her goals, aims and experiences, that the reader can feel as though he or she is right there with Abrahams, taking it all in. Whether describing a nerve-wracking night of acting out a scriptural lesson in front of the congregation (at age 8), searching for love in all the wrong places (caught in a loveless marriage with an older husband who refuses to grant a divorce, in a religion where divorce can mean disfellowshipping or being excommunicated) or being forced to scrounge out an existence under the harshest of circumstances (being kicked out of her temporary homes, and having seemingly nowhere to go), the reader can empathize with the precocious girl who came into being, basically by her onesies. There is also the subtle but present undercurrent of an unhappy family situation and emotional duress, if not direct abuse.

The story of the precocious 8-year-old ending up as a party animal, poetry-slamming rockstar of sorts, may sound far-fetched to the new reader, but it is an engrossing and fun read. "I'm Perfect, You're Doomed" is one of those off-the-wall, wacky, yet just-on-the-cusp-of-being-unbelievable autobiographies, which make many other "wild child" stories, sound like child's play.

Abrahams spoke with Canyon News about her new book. She explained that another and friend Janice Erlbaum was the impetus behind Abraham's newly-penned memoir. "Initially I had thought about doing it as a one-woman show," Abrahams mused, until Erlbaum, author of "Girl Bomb," asked when Abrahams would be writing her memoir. It wasn't until later, after she had started writing, that she would run into Erlbaum again, who would tell her that she encouraged many people to write.


Abrahams doesn't keep in touch much with her parents, who did provide support and fragmentation through the chronicles of "I'm Perfect, You're Doomed," though she is still close with her brother and with her friend Sarah. "I definitely consider myself very spiritual... [though] I have not found a specific religion... I probably identify most as Buddhist," Abrahams mused, as she is no longer a Jehovah's Witness. She takes meditation classes in her adopted home of Queens, New York, where she enjoys calling home. "I love New York," she gushes, "it's my favorite place I've ever lived!"

Right now, the talented author is working on a "plain, kind of humor-based book... something just funny," and less personal than "I'm Perfect." "Plus, the well of life is drying up," she jokes.

Thanks for the laughs, Kyria. We'll be rooting for you to find your perfect balance... and for you to experience continued success as a writer.

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