Implosion: Memoir of an Architect's Daughter

By: Elizabeth W. Garber

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Synopsis: What could be cooler, thinks teen Elizabeth Garber in 1965, than to live in a glass house designed by her architect dad? Ever since childhood, she&’s adored everything he loves—his XKE Jaguar, modern art, and his Eames black leather chair—and she&’s been inspired by his passionate intensity as he teaches her about modern architecture. When Woodie receives a commission to design a high-rise dormitory—a tower of glass—for the University of Cincinnati, Elizabeth, her mother and brothers celebrate with him. But less than twenty years later, Sander Hall, the mirror-glass dormitory, will be dynamited into rubble. Implosion: Memoir of an Architect&’s Daughter delves into the life of visionary architect Woodie Garber and the collision of forces in the turbulent 1970s that caused his family to collapse. Soon after the family&’s move into Woodie&’s glass house, his need to control begins to strain normal bonds; and Elizabeth&’s first love, a young black man, triggers his until-then hidden racism. This haunting memoir describes his descent into madness and follows Elizabeth&’s inspiring journey to emerge from her abuse, gain understanding and freedom from her father&’s control, and go on to become a loving mother and a healer who helps others.