Mother of My Mother: The Intricate Bond Between Generations

by Hope Edelman

In her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Motherless Daughters , Hope Edelman explored the profound and lasting effects of mother loss, as well as her own search for healing.  Now, in her compelling new work, Edelman explores another complex, life-changing relationship, the intricate bond between generations.

Drawing from her own experience and the recollections of over seventy other granddaughters, Edelman explores the three-generation triangle from which women develop their female the grandmother-mother-daughter relationship. With eloquent personal testimony, she demonstrates the vital roles grandmothers have played in their granddaughters' lives, as a source of unconditional love, family values and traditions, and backup parent, the ultimate safety net.

Here are grandmothers in all their The "Benevolent Manipulator", whose love for her family is matched only by her desire for control; The "Gentle Giant", awesome, respected, who possesses a quiet, behind-the-scenes power; The "Autocrat", who rules her extended family like a despot; The "Kinkeeper", the family hub, who offers a sense of cohesion to the extended clan.

With insight and compassion, Edelman probes this unique and emotionally-charged relationship in a book that is a true celebration of an extraordinary bond--and a must read for every woman.

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 1999

About the author

Hope Edelman is the internationally acclaimed author of eight nonfiction books, including the bestsellers Motherless Daughters and Motherless Mothers, as well as the upcoming book, The Aftergrief. She has lectured extensively on the subjects of early loss and also on nonfiction writing in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Her articles and reviews have appeared in numerous publications, including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Glamour, Child, Seventeen, Real Simple, Parents, Writer’s Digest, and Self, and her original essays have appeared in many anthologies. Her work has received a New York Times notable book of the year designation and a Pushcart Prize for creative nonfiction. She lives in Los Angeles and Iowa City, where she can be found every July teaching at the Iowa Summer Writing Festival.

Reviews

[Sunnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting, especially insights into what other women have experienced. I was hoping that this would be a continuous story about one group of women and was surprised that it incorporated the stories of other groups as well. Insights/commentaries were good. Read quickly. Just became overly long after a while. So, while I specifically chose this title, it just didn't suit after a while. This does not mean that it might suit others much better.

[Terry Waslow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interested assessment of the grandmother/ granddaughter relationship and the triangle between the 3 generations.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at Goodwill because it looked really interesting. I have always been fascinated with the grandmother/mother/daughter bond. Although I don't feel that bond with my own mother..it is something that I want my daughter to feel. Starting to read today!!


I read it..it was interesting, but not exactly what I was expecting. I would recommend it though!

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the family kin-keeper, I especially enjoyed this intimate delving into the importance of our grandmothers. I was blessed that my own Grandma Leora lived until I was in my mid-40s. Now, decades later, I am writing and sharing her stories.