The charming adventures of the Mama of an immigrant Norwegian family living in San Francisco. This bestselling book inspired the play, motion pictu...
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reviews
Jan 03, 2010
Alexa SOF2014
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Mama's Bank Account tells the story of how a Norwegian mother Americanizes her family with her charm and understanding. This heartfelt book takes place in San Francisco in 1910. Mama is the main protagonist. We follow her life and the Hansen family by trying to combine traditional values with Norwegian values. Many issues are touched on such as, finances, family relationships, and assimilation. The last story in the novel takes place 10 years after the first story and shows how the next generati
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Oct 24, 2009
Elizabeth
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This was a book for the BT book club, so very up that alley. It's a collection of memoirs/stories/stories based on memoirs written by a daughter about her family, recent immigrants to San Francisco. Well, recent at the time, I believe most of them took place in the 1910s and 20s. They're all very droll and usually illustrate some sort of moral, which is nice, but this is one of those books where when you take a closer look, it's a little amazing how simple the stories seem and yet how absolutely
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Jan 12, 2011
Amadéa
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I gobbled up this book like a Hoeffler Centennial (if you don't know what that is, take a read at this book). This book may be too endearing, too "fluffy" for some, but I loved the heartwarming tales held together by the central characters, the Hanson family.
This story has, in one form or another, been dear to me and my family for many years. The first I knew of it was the movie version from the 1940s, starring Irene Dunne as Mama (incidentally titled 'I Remember Mama'). I ha More...
This story has, in one form or another, been dear to me and my family for many years. The first I knew of it was the movie version from the 1940s, starring Irene Dunne as Mama (incidentally titled 'I Remember Mama'). I ha More...
Feb 07, 2011
Michelle
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Delightful! I was humbled by how patiently, yet determinedly, this mother worked toward solutions for her family's needs. She sacrificed, but without feeling martyred. Very memorable...
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Nov 01, 2011
Kate
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Sometimes when I am down I long for the era of polite books for grownups - books that don't need sex, violence, heartbreak, or 50-cent metaphors to entertain. Forbes' memoiresque style is sweet as she shares the travails of a Norwegian immigrant family in San Francisco. The title story is the nicest. Big thanks to the librarian who stuck this old book club edition (sternly marked No Renewals with a long-ago stamp) on the end-cap display for me to find. There is something friendly about paper
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Jan 16, 2011
Doreen
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This is a sweet story of a Norwegian family living in San Francisco. I think the time period is the 1920's or 30's. Mama is the family's driving force, as is the case in many families. The story is narrated by the oldest daughter, Katrin. The family faces illness, school issues, tight finances, and the crazy mishaps that seem even funnier when applied to first-generation children with immigrant parents. Both the cultural and language barriers make for plenty of humor.
Mama knows More...
Mama knows More...
Dec 27, 2011
Lyn
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A fun, easy read about a Norwegian-American family but there were aspects in their family that I could see in my own family, when I was a girl. I related to the young heart of the storyteller. Being a creature that believes passionately that we were given this day, this moment, in order to develop memories, I immersed myself in hers. The re-telling of a memory is sometimes more fulfilling than the actual moment.
This book was a treasure to read. I'd love for my life to read l More...
This book was a treasure to read. I'd love for my life to read l More...
Aug 11, 2009
Aimee
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This wasn't quite what I expected, but it was delightful. It reminded me a lot of "Cheaper By the Dozen." Not for content, more for format. It is a work of fiction, but written first-person with the same name as the author. It makes you wonder...In any case, it is a collection of vignettes from this family showing how the mother can be resourceful, wise, generous, and does all she can for the benefit of her family. It's a super-quick read. I really liked it.
Jan 05, 2009
Mischa
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This is an old classic, that my mother (majored in english and passed on her love for reading with all of her children and now grandchildren) shared with me. She just recently gave it to Mikaylie for Christmas, and I can't wait to reread it with her.
This is a book of challenges that a poor family faces and yet, despite their hardships, they enjoy so much of life. So many great life lessons can be learned from this story.
This is a book of challenges that a poor family faces and yet, despite their hardships, they enjoy so much of life. So many great life lessons can be learned from this story.
Dec 19, 2011
George
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A DELIGHTFUL READ.
“Her disposition became, if possible , even meaner, and her vocabulary consisted entirely of cat expletives.”—page 162
Kathryn Forbes’s fictionalized memoirs, ‘Mama’s Bank Account,’ is a collection of engaging, charming and heart-warming stories from a simpler time and place; 1920s, in s San Francisco boarding house.
Recommendation: An enjoyable read for all ages.
“Life is good,” she said contentedly. “Life is so good.”—page 176
H More...
“Her disposition became, if possible , even meaner, and her vocabulary consisted entirely of cat expletives.”—page 162
Kathryn Forbes’s fictionalized memoirs, ‘Mama’s Bank Account,’ is a collection of engaging, charming and heart-warming stories from a simpler time and place; 1920s, in s San Francisco boarding house.
Recommendation: An enjoyable read for all ages.
“Life is good,” she said contentedly. “Life is so good.”—page 176
H More...
Jul 17, 2011
Kelley
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Charming, sweet, quick read. A series of stories about a Norwegian family living in San Francisco in the early 1900s. It's a feel-good book, which we can all use now and then. I can't believe how patient, loving, determined and wise the mama is! It's a good reminder of the power of mothers in teaching their children. I'd recommend it to anyone without hesitation!
Jun 15, 2010
Linda
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Just finished reading. Thanks, Robin! Thoroughly enjoyed it. I well remember watching "I Remember Mama" in the early days of TV - taken from the book. Was the first sitcom on TV. Subsequently made into a movie for anyone interested. Available on Netflix. Also, check out "I Remember Mama" on the internet to watch short excerpts from the TV series.
Jan 25, 2012
Mike
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My God I loved this book as a kid. I hardly remember it, but I would read it constantly. I read it to my father and my mother aloud when they would drive me to school or CCD. They really dug it too. We all bonded over this book in a way, and to this day mention it in passing at dinner. Definitely a good read for a kid.
Oct 10, 2011
Alison
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Wonderful collection of immigrant memoirs. It's too bad that it's not read and studied more often these days. It would be a great Lit Unit for kids 5-8th grade who are studying immigration. The surprise ending of the first story says it all about the sacrifices that this immigrant mother made to insure the well-being of her children. You don't have to be from Norwegian stock to imagine your immigrant ancestor doing similar things for her children.
May 31, 2011
Shauna
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Delightful and charming story about an Norwegian immigrant family living in San Francisco around 1910. Each chapter tells a separate story or vignette, and together they give a nice picture of life at the turn of the century. It was a short and easy read, and it provided for some enjoyable discussion at book club.
Mar 07, 2011
Laurel
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This sweet tribute to the author's immigrant mother is not only touching but inspiring. An especially good read for moms like me who wonder if the minutia I attend to every day makes much of a difference in this complex world. The author clearly affirms that it does. A quick read that will touch your heart.
May 16, 2010
Annie
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This gets more like 3 1/2 stars. It was short, sweet, and entertaining. I read it in an hour. I really really wanted it to be non-fiction but I guess it was based on Kathryn Forbes' life. I do like this style of writing--a series of short stories that are linked chronologically yet each can stand alone.
Oct 27, 2009
Arctic
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loved this little collection of family tales. easy, quick, heartwarming read. Makes me want to have a bigger family of my own, and appreciate the one I have all the more. I plan on sharing my copy with my mom in hopes that she'll get as much enjoyment out of it as I have.
May 23, 2009
Celestia
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this is one of those classic "feel good" books to read when you are sick, depressed, tired, or postpartum. Definitely a cheery book that will help restore your faith in the whole process of life with all of its grind. At least it did for me during my recent illness.
Jan 07, 2012
Angela
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This was such a PLEASANT book to read! Thanks to my sister for sharing her copy with me. It was the most basic story of human love and kindness displayed by a mother towards her family. Amazing how a little love and guidance can go such a long way! Required reading in my opinion!!
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May 17, 2011
Sacha
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I love this simple, sweet story, because it emphasizes hard work and families, two things that are very important to me. When times get tough and you're out of money, you work harder and sacrifice. I believe in that very strongly.
Sep 29, 2009
Mary
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If you want to be totally charmed. This slim volume, from which the play, "I Remember Mama" was based, has 17 stories, each more delightful than the last. You dip into one like you are eating a little chocolate. Delicious!
Apr 09, 2009
Burdetteworld
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This was a delightful fast read. I loved Mama and her whole family and I loved the innocence of the time period and even more the COMMON sense of the time period!
Thanks for the great recommendation, Mischa!
Thanks for the great recommendation, Mischa!
Dec 16, 2009
Jeanette
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It has many years since I read this classic; it's such a sweet book. Mama reminds us of how important women are in building homes and families. Enjoyed it just as much the second time!
Feb 02, 2009
Melissa
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Loved the book -- took me back to my childhood when "I Remember Mama" was one of my favorite tv shows in the 50's (dating myself there -- I was a VERY small child). Recommend.
Oct 09, 2011
Esther
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Simple family stories about surviving hard times and the indomitable protective spirit of a mother. The book is fiction, but must be based on real life. A quick, enjoyable read.
Jan 03, 2009
Eyebright
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I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read for me, but I had seen the play, and wanted to read the book.
The stories are funny, and of course, Mama is an "unforgetable" character.
The stories are funny, and of course, Mama is an "unforgetable" character.
Dec 09, 2008
Sheila
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I read this book in high school, and again as an adult. It provides a window into a former way of life. I was influenced by Mama as a mother myself.
Dec 15, 2008
♥Rachel♥
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This was a wonderful book that I enjoyed very much!
Kathryn's storys are really great and enjoyable. I recomend this book very much!
Kathryn's storys are really great and enjoyable. I recomend this book very much!
Apr 23, 2009
Roberta
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This book is very similar to one of my favorite movies, "I Remember Mama". The characters are delightful. Life is simple and sweet.
