When Nancy Friday began her research for My Mother/My Self in the early 1970’s no work existed that explored the unique interaction between m...
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Sep 25, 2007
Avital
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Mothers, daughters and their complex relationships, expectations and similarities. A little out-dated, as it speaks about a generation before mine but it relates to mine-as being daughters in many aspects as well. The book is based on many interviews, so it's real, but today, as a mother, I can relate to some issues and not to others. For instance, I would never feel jealousy regarding my daughter. I'm too much of a proud mother to feel this way.
But as for another issue, the one of refere More...
But as for another issue, the one of refere More...
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Jan 12, 2012
For some it may take courage to read this book with an open mind. A person's unique experiences may not relate to all of the stories told by the author, but I believe that if you either had a mother or are a mother, you will find something familiar here.
Can you handle the truth? Can you admit that your mother isn't and wasn't perfect, that her love for you isn't and wasn't perfect? Can you not only admit it but be okay with it? Can you face the grownup reality that you aren't per More...
Can you handle the truth? Can you admit that your mother isn't and wasn't perfect, that her love for you isn't and wasn't perfect? Can you not only admit it but be okay with it? Can you face the grownup reality that you aren't per More...
Jul 19, 2011
Monica
rated it: 
Crappy book. Too many generalizations. Too many false dilemma fallacies (http://www.nizkor.org/features/fallacies...).
Relationship dynamics: This book's psychology is outdated. No wonder so many women who tried reading this book (and the author included) devolved into a self-blaming manner of thinking about mother-daughter relationship dynamics. The author's lack of optimism bleeds through. Also, I particularly disliked how the author pushed the concept of "if a daughter feels More...
Relationship dynamics: This book's psychology is outdated. No wonder so many women who tried reading this book (and the author included) devolved into a self-blaming manner of thinking about mother-daughter relationship dynamics. The author's lack of optimism bleeds through. Also, I particularly disliked how the author pushed the concept of "if a daughter feels More...
Dec 11, 2011
Diane
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I recently came across a tattered copy at the JALT "Books Doing Good" table and decided to reread this book. I first read it in 1980 or so, and was completely blown away by how "right" Nancy Friday got the complicated mother-daughter relationship. Rereading it 30 years later, I was wondering if it would give me insight to being on the other side of the coin--now I am the MOTHER with a daughter. Although some things still hold true, we are living in a completely different era,
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Oct 01, 2011
Susan
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This is a book of revelations, and a book that many daughter's (and mother's) could benefit by reading. It talks about and takes a psychological look at how we are like our mother's and why it is so hard to accept or realize that. It also attempts to engage one in self discovery and how we form our identity. As a psychologist I have recommended this book to many young women struggling with their mom's, having a hard time understanding them, and even having a love/hate affair and not knowing why
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May 07, 2011
Elaine
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When this was published (1977), I tried to read it. I couldn't handle it. Now as the mother of an adult daughter and as a daughter with a life-long conflicting relationship her mother AND writing a book about single parenting, I thought I should try again. The book may be dated in places, but the concepts still present a thoughtful challenge. I do have a tendency to stop and get back to work on my book, but I won't give up. For those daughters of any age who do not understand their relationship
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Jan 28, 2008
Susan
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Had enough issues with my mother - stopped after the 2nd chapter so I wouldn't develop any more.
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May 02, 2009
April
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 31, 2011
Ronald
rated it: 
I was spurred to purchase and first read this book in 1981 by Marilyn French's The Women's Room, which I also re-read recently. Once again, I was disappointed with this one in comparison to The Women's Room. As non-fiction, I found the organization of the ideas and research references difficult to follow, and often found when I finished a page that I had only moved my eyes over the words without taking in any of the content.
Sep 08, 2011
Hasemp
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I NEVER read these types of books. This one was interesting but outdated. It doesn't pertain to my relationship with my mother but I know people who would read it and see their relationship with their mother in there.
Apr 18, 2011
Still trying to get through this one. It was my mom's book. Very interesting. Very psychological. I like it, but it's a lot to digest at once. I go back to it from time to time.
Feb 04, 2011
Jude
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I read this book before I was a mother so then it was throwing light on me and my own mother. It would be interesting [difficult?] to read it now that I have my own daughter.
Nov 19, 2008
at first glance, this looks really good. flipping through it, i'm not sure how i feel about a book that talks a lot about both sex (sexuality, sexual fantasies, repression) and your relationship with your mother - i don't think they really belong in the same book. call me a prude if you want, whatever.
also, i'm really glad my mother never mentioned how much her virginity meant to my father when they got married. yeah. this was apparently something the author's mother told her - it's on More...
also, i'm really glad my mother never mentioned how much her virginity meant to my father when they got married. yeah. this was apparently something the author's mother told her - it's on More...
Feb 01, 2012
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10420176
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/10420176
May 02, 2010
Celeste
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This book didn't give me any insight into my relationship with my mother. Instead, it made me feel that I've been a terrible mother to my own daughters. As it didn't seem to offer insight into how I could improve the situation, I decided it was unhealthy for me to continue reading and I returned it to the library.
Nov 14, 2009
Michelle
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Finally finished reading the second half! I will definitely go back and read this again - there's so much in it that perhaps I wasn't "ready" for the first time. This book really helped me explore my feelings regarding my childhood and why I still struggle today. I highly recommend it for any woman.
Jan 17, 2009
Ani
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It shows how much your mother works in you if you don't be aware of it...a very interesting book for all women
Sep 02, 2009
Brittany
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Intense read. Learn a hell of a lot about being a woman and the incredible dynamic of a mother-daughter relationship.
Nov 17, 2011
From one of the book boxes that Moem sent to me. This book is now looking for a new home.
Sep 17, 2011
Elle
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Excellent... and ouch. And so the the story continues into the 21st century with our daughters.
Aug 23, 2009
Talieh
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It is intresting.When you read it, you undrestand it is a surprizing book.phsychologycal book about women!
Jan 22, 2008
dix marie
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i read this in the late 80's. i was entirely too pissed off to make any connections. i mean, it kind of spoke to me because my mom used to be a real asshole, but we're not blood related. i have no information about the one i am related to, so the 'symbiotic' analysis left me chaffed.
all in all, ech.
all in all, ech.
Feb 21, 2009
Satia
rated it:
I couldn't finish it. I read it when I was a teenager and I guess I was too young to realize how completely irrelevant this book is to my experience. For a full commentary (not really a review):
http://satia.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-mot...
http://satia.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-mot...
Aug 17, 2008
Beth
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Good, symbolic of it's time. My mother was jealous, favored my sister, sad for we could never acknowledge a problem between us. I do understand, she was chasing Women's Lib. I have son's, open and honest communication ... the gens are changing.
Apr 02, 2008
Paige
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Entertaining psycho-babble, freudian based. The whole book is a compendium of letters and stories from ms. friday's patients or readers about their sex lives and how things stem from their relationship w/their mama.
Jan 11, 2012
Kristen
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I'd agree with much of what Friday is saying, however, it's all pretty predictable. It's for my thesis work....
Feb 12, 2008
Melody
rated it:
Perhaps a Freudian would give you good reasons I hated this book, I dunno. But it struck me as all surface.
