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Oh My Mother!: A Memoir in Nine Adventures
"Hilarious, candid, and heartfelt . . . It's like Eat Pray Love meets The Amazing Race with hints of Cathy Park Hong's hit essay collection, Minor Feelings." --Oprah Daily
A dazzling mother-daughter adventure around the world in pursuit of self-discovery, a family reckoning, and Asian American defiance
In Chinese, the closest expression to oh my god is wo de ma ya. It's an interjection, a polite expletive, something to say when you're out of words. Translated literally, it means oh my mother--the instinctual first person you think of when you're on the cusp of losing it, or putting it all together.
In each essay of this hilarious, heartfelt, and pitch-perfectly honest memoir, journalist Connie Wang explores her complicated relationship to her stubborn and charismatic mother, Qing Li, through the "oh my god" moments in their travels together. From attending a Magic Mike strip show in Vegas to experimenting with edibles in Amsterdam to flip-flopping through Versailles, this iconic mother-daughter duo venture into the world to find their place in it, and sometimes rail against it--as well as against each other.
There are hijinks, capers, and adventures. There is also tenderness, growth, and discovery. In telling these stories about the places they've gone and the things they've done, Wang reveals another story: the true story of two women who finally learned that once we are comfortable with the feeling of not belonging--once we can reject the need to belong to any place, community, census, designation, or nation--we can experience something almost like freedom.
A dazzling mother-daughter adventure around the world in pursuit of self-discovery, a family reckoning, and Asian American defiance
In Chinese, the closest expression to oh my god is wo de ma ya. It's an interjection, a polite expletive, something to say when you're out of words. Translated literally, it means oh my mother--the instinctual first person you think of when you're on the cusp of losing it, or putting it all together.
In each essay of this hilarious, heartfelt, and pitch-perfectly honest memoir, journalist Connie Wang explores her complicated relationship to her stubborn and charismatic mother, Qing Li, through the "oh my god" moments in their travels together. From attending a Magic Mike strip show in Vegas to experimenting with edibles in Amsterdam to flip-flopping through Versailles, this iconic mother-daughter duo venture into the world to find their place in it, and sometimes rail against it--as well as against each other.
There are hijinks, capers, and adventures. There is also tenderness, growth, and discovery. In telling these stories about the places they've gone and the things they've done, Wang reveals another story: the true story of two women who finally learned that once we are comfortable with the feeling of not belonging--once we can reject the need to belong to any place, community, census, designation, or nation--we can experience something almost like freedom.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published May 9, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 10, 2023
As an immigrant, I am drawn to immigrant stories and am usually disappointed, and this is no exception. The stories are solely descriptive, and missing the one step further of deeper thoughts on the experience, and her mother’s experience. I don’t know why but I was annoyed by the author’s constant referring her parents with their names rather than, mom and dad. I found it very disrespectful as if she is trying to frame that she has always seen her parents as her equal.
What annoys me even more about this book is the author’s consistency on perceiving herself as the more knowledgeable, more cultured, as if other people should treat her differently (and funny enough also what her mother called her out in one of the stories, but obvious she did not think twice about how she acted even after being called out.)
It’s an easy read, but I found it very shallow as if she is looking at her mother only from the outside and she wasn’t part of the family.
What annoys me even more about this book is the author’s consistency on perceiving herself as the more knowledgeable, more cultured, as if other people should treat her differently (and funny enough also what her mother called her out in one of the stories, but obvious she did not think twice about how she acted even after being called out.)
It’s an easy read, but I found it very shallow as if she is looking at her mother only from the outside and she wasn’t part of the family.
May 14, 2023
An interesting mother daughter memoir of travel, adventure, fun, complicated relationships, pregnancy during COVID, lockdown and so much more. Good on audio narrated by the author and recommended for fans of books like Listen to the squawking chicken by Elaine Lui or Dear girls by Ali Wong. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
June 23, 2023
There was so much I did like about this book… it made me laugh, I learned about some new things, I found kinship with Connie and her mother’s relationship and my own. However, I felt that as much as this book wanted to explore deeper feelings and thoughts it presented, it never quite got there for me. The writing style did not do much for me either.
May 9, 2023
Poignant, heartfelt, and very funny. This isn't a traditional immigrant story, or travelogue, or memoir, although it's all three and more. Wang writes with buoyancy, humor, and pathos about her unconventional path toward finding her place in the world alongside her charismatic, wildly opinionated mother.
May 7, 2023
In Chinese, the closest expression to "oh my god" is "我的媽呀 (wo de ma ya)," which translates to "oh my mother." Blending personal essays and memoirs, Wang explores her relationship with her mom, Qing Li, through nine adventures from visiting family in China, trying out edibles in Amsterdam, and going on a fashion expedition in Paris.
At the center of the book is Qing, Wang's charismatic & humorous mother. Qing immigrated from China and found herself lost in a different culture and lost to child-rearing responsibilities. While Wang discusses loss and heartache, I particularly adore her writing about her adventures with Qing. Qing's candor is something that shines through OH MY MOTHER and made me miss my mom's bluntness 🥲
I also appreciate Wang's inclusion of different topics, from her complicated feelings toward Disney World to her time as an editor attending fashion shows. These subjects veer away from the slanty-eye jokes, your-lunch-smells-funny comments, and you-must-have-plagiarized-to-write-something-this-good remarks. And I loved reading OH MY MOTHER, which doesn't solely focus on trauma and lets the joy of being an immigrant/first-generation Asian American shine through.
At its core, OH MY MOTHER is a celebration of mother-daughter relationships through phases of growth and discovery, allowing us to find a community, a home, and freedom.
Thank you to Viking Books for the gifted copy. OH MY MOTHER is a great Mother's Day gift if you're in the market for a present!
At the center of the book is Qing, Wang's charismatic & humorous mother. Qing immigrated from China and found herself lost in a different culture and lost to child-rearing responsibilities. While Wang discusses loss and heartache, I particularly adore her writing about her adventures with Qing. Qing's candor is something that shines through OH MY MOTHER and made me miss my mom's bluntness 🥲
I also appreciate Wang's inclusion of different topics, from her complicated feelings toward Disney World to her time as an editor attending fashion shows. These subjects veer away from the slanty-eye jokes, your-lunch-smells-funny comments, and you-must-have-plagiarized-to-write-something-this-good remarks. And I loved reading OH MY MOTHER, which doesn't solely focus on trauma and lets the joy of being an immigrant/first-generation Asian American shine through.
At its core, OH MY MOTHER is a celebration of mother-daughter relationships through phases of growth and discovery, allowing us to find a community, a home, and freedom.
Thank you to Viking Books for the gifted copy. OH MY MOTHER is a great Mother's Day gift if you're in the market for a present!
June 12, 2023
2.5/5 (3 if giving full stars).
I was really excited for this book after reading Wang's article in NYT - however, I felt like this book fell short. I read a lot of Asian American literature, especially memoirs, and I don't know if I'm growing tired of the genre or it's just not as fresh as it used to be. The premise of this book is that Wang understands her mother more through various "adventures" they share, but the book seems entirely superficial. It is told entirely from Wang's perspective and I feel like we barely get an idea of what her mom is feeling without it being heavily filtered through her own perspective. Each chapter ends in a way that appears premature - Wang reaches some newfound conclusion that doesn't feel earned or explained. Much of Wang's story should have resonated deeply with me since I've felt a lot of the niche feelings she's felt before and we share many specific family experiences - however, the writing has some element of self-loathing or self-righteousness that I couldn't get past. I thought it would evolve as the book moved through her life but it never did.
This review feels a little harsh for a book I found enjoyable and a quick read, but I also found it kind of forgettable. References to things that happened in earlier chapters felt brand new, and I felt like I didn't ever get to really understand any of the characters, not even Wang.
I was really excited for this book after reading Wang's article in NYT - however, I felt like this book fell short. I read a lot of Asian American literature, especially memoirs, and I don't know if I'm growing tired of the genre or it's just not as fresh as it used to be. The premise of this book is that Wang understands her mother more through various "adventures" they share, but the book seems entirely superficial. It is told entirely from Wang's perspective and I feel like we barely get an idea of what her mom is feeling without it being heavily filtered through her own perspective. Each chapter ends in a way that appears premature - Wang reaches some newfound conclusion that doesn't feel earned or explained. Much of Wang's story should have resonated deeply with me since I've felt a lot of the niche feelings she's felt before and we share many specific family experiences - however, the writing has some element of self-loathing or self-righteousness that I couldn't get past. I thought it would evolve as the book moved through her life but it never did.
This review feels a little harsh for a book I found enjoyable and a quick read, but I also found it kind of forgettable. References to things that happened in earlier chapters felt brand new, and I felt like I didn't ever get to really understand any of the characters, not even Wang.
May 12, 2023
i sat near connie at refinery29 and i remember being in awe of her confidence and empathy on phone interviews — i learned so much about how to be a skilled and conscientious reporter just by eavesdropping (open office plans do that). connie, this book is an absolute treasure! i saw my own relationship with my chinese mother reflected in qing (though mine would be much more ambivalent about magic mike) and found myself in tears at the ending. utterly perfect, loved every word.
January 20, 2024
This book didn't quite end up being what I expected. The description really sells this memoir as a story of the relationship between the author and her mother. It didn't end up being as focused as I maybe would have liked, instead being random anecdotes spanning the author's life and I couldn't find the through line and didn't feel like I actually got a sense of the people behind these stories, especially her mother who—based on the title—you'd assume is the focal point of the memoir. I feel like you can tell the author is more of a short form writer and this long form didn't feel super cohesive with a strong arc. I did come away with the message that relationships are complicated, any relationships, but especially the one between a mother and daughter.
January 20, 2024
equal parts funny and poignant, achingly (shockingly!) relatable
May 24, 2023
While I didn’t find this book to be as adventurous as I’d been expecting from the descriptions, reading these stories as a mother daughter writing exercise made me think about how it must have been a therapeutic experience to give form to this collection. I laughed a lot at the visuals peppered throughout the stories, but what I really appreciated were the sparks of clarity derived from Connie’s missteps, and the way interactions were examined without assigning anyone a strict villain role within a scenario (wires get crossed and it’s ok!).
I think pages 26-28 set the theme for me for the book-how the lack of a common mother tongue impacts communication, and how this in turn becomes the catalyst for misunderstandings and curled shrimp moments. What I took away from this was a reminder that people are trying their best with what they were equipped with, and that as an adult I should be capable of seeing my parents as just that.
Thank you Connie and Qing!
I think pages 26-28 set the theme for me for the book-how the lack of a common mother tongue impacts communication, and how this in turn becomes the catalyst for misunderstandings and curled shrimp moments. What I took away from this was a reminder that people are trying their best with what they were equipped with, and that as an adult I should be capable of seeing my parents as just that.
Thank you Connie and Qing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2023
3.5 - I really enjoyed it! Despite the 3 stars, I do recommend it. I liked that Qing was represented as her own person instead of written about as solely a mother figure. The mother daughter adventures showed a side of parent-child relationships that are rarely presented; as the relationship turns friend-like, as child becomes a parent themselves. The interweaving stories felt unique. However, the writing style felt like it was trying too hard. It was a bit choppy and disjointed and the feeling behind the flowery language didn’t hit in the way I felt the author was trying for.
July 27, 2023
Nothing to complain about here, pretty classic set of memoir essays. I liked the writing and how the stories tied together but didn’t find them particularly moving or memorable
March 14, 2024
I wanted more of connies mom! 乁( •_• )ㄏ
July 12, 2023
This book was so lukewarm for me.
I feel like it was less about mother-daughter relationships and more about the author's own self-reckoning.
Sure, the Family and Motherhood were present, but it didn't feel like that's what the book was about, which is what I wish it had been about. I get the sense that Connie Wang's mom is a lot more interesting than was shown here.
I feel like it was less about mother-daughter relationships and more about the author's own self-reckoning.
Sure, the Family and Motherhood were present, but it didn't feel like that's what the book was about, which is what I wish it had been about. I get the sense that Connie Wang's mom is a lot more interesting than was shown here.
January 30, 2024
My daughter suggested this book for our mother-daughter book club. Although my usual book genre is psychological thriller, this book was an enjoyable and lighthearted read. We both found little nuggets to take away from the author's experiences to share with each other.
September 2, 2023
I don’t think Wang’s life, mother, or relationship with her mother is interesting or unique enough to justify a memoir, to be honest. But it’s a good, light read. There’s a lot of funny anecdotes and I laughed a few times. I liked reading about how everyone changed over the years, in the mundane ways that people do.
June 24, 2023
Lovely book about mothers and daughters
June 5, 2023
Did not finish. Made it to 69% in the ebook. I just couldn't care.
May 17, 2024
Oh My Mother! is beautifully written, but less about the author's mother and more about herself and fashion(?). Not a bad thing, just a little misleading. The writing itself is stunning and inspiring in the sense that it makes me want to hold onto this book to refer back to when writing something of my own. I loved the way she communicates ideas with honesty, clarity, and simplicity and evokes a sense of time, place, and emotion with hyperspecific details from her upbringing, young adulthood and past as recent as COVID. Something about the way journalists write memoirs just feels right to me. However, I'd chalk up the 3-star rating to personality differences. There's a funny thing about reading memoirs--some of the time you'll know you probably wouldn't enjoy hanging out with the author. I liked the way she wrote but not necessarily what she chose to write about. I give her credit for including instances when she was acting bratty or spoiled as a child and capturing flaws and imperfection, but I didn't really enjoy it. I also didn't always vibe with the way she covered others (i.e., her mother, relatives in China, or Disney adults) with a tinge of judgment and a sense of feeling better-than. I was confused at first that she referred to her mother and father with their names instead of Mom and Dad but later appreciated that she was allowing them their own personhood and agency other than only their identity as her parents. Other than that gesture she didn't really capture their identities outside of her own existence which (I think?) she had originally set out to do. It ended up being more self-focused (which again, is fine--just misleading) than doing Qing (her mother) justice.
November 16, 2023
Oh My Mother! was such a genuine delight. I listened to the audiobook, and I have to say that there are few things I love more than when a book is narrated by it’s author. It makes me feel like the story is being spoken exactly how it was intended to be, and I always really appreciate that.
In this memoir, author Connie Wang tells several stories that embody the complicated relationship between her and Qing, her mother. The stories range from Connie's childhood through adulthood, reflecting on timeshare vacations, to a Magic Mike XL Las Vegas live show, to travels abroad. Each story is filled with so much love and nostalgia, but also dives deeper into the inner workings of not only Connie’s mind, but Qing’s. Something I really enjoyed is the way that Connie took care to really represent Qing as an individual, as a woman with her own interests and hobbies and dreams and passions. I think it really helped to give more insight into their relationship, since we had such a thorough understanding of both women as individuals.
These stories were filled with moments that had me saying “ugh….this is so me”, and moments where I was laughing out loud. They were genuine, touching, and well written, and I just truly loved listening to them.
In this memoir, author Connie Wang tells several stories that embody the complicated relationship between her and Qing, her mother. The stories range from Connie's childhood through adulthood, reflecting on timeshare vacations, to a Magic Mike XL Las Vegas live show, to travels abroad. Each story is filled with so much love and nostalgia, but also dives deeper into the inner workings of not only Connie’s mind, but Qing’s. Something I really enjoyed is the way that Connie took care to really represent Qing as an individual, as a woman with her own interests and hobbies and dreams and passions. I think it really helped to give more insight into their relationship, since we had such a thorough understanding of both women as individuals.
These stories were filled with moments that had me saying “ugh….this is so me”, and moments where I was laughing out loud. They were genuine, touching, and well written, and I just truly loved listening to them.
May 2, 2023
4.5/5 stars!
This was such a great book! It is a memoir about Connie Wang and her mother, Qing, told through nine trips/adventures throughout their lives.
I loved how we got to see their relationship grow as Connie grew, and how Connie’s perspective of her mother developed at the book went along.
She also connected their stories to bigger events and things happening in the world, in a seamless and almost essay-style writing that appeared throughout.
She writes about her experience being a first-generation Chinese American (and her mom’s experience as an immigrant), her feelings toward Disney World, her time as an editor at Refinery29, packing for travel, her house growing up, and so much more. And she does so with such fantastic storytelling.
I absolutely love that Qing was the first person to read each chapter of the book, so she had just as much a part in this memoir as her daughter. That’s so special and such a beautiful way to approach a memoir about a mother and daughter.
I read this book in two days and couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend you check it out when it comes out May 9!
Thank you to Viking Books for giving me this ARC through a giveaway!
This was such a great book! It is a memoir about Connie Wang and her mother, Qing, told through nine trips/adventures throughout their lives.
I loved how we got to see their relationship grow as Connie grew, and how Connie’s perspective of her mother developed at the book went along.
She also connected their stories to bigger events and things happening in the world, in a seamless and almost essay-style writing that appeared throughout.
She writes about her experience being a first-generation Chinese American (and her mom’s experience as an immigrant), her feelings toward Disney World, her time as an editor at Refinery29, packing for travel, her house growing up, and so much more. And she does so with such fantastic storytelling.
I absolutely love that Qing was the first person to read each chapter of the book, so she had just as much a part in this memoir as her daughter. That’s so special and such a beautiful way to approach a memoir about a mother and daughter.
I read this book in two days and couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend you check it out when it comes out May 9!
Thank you to Viking Books for giving me this ARC through a giveaway!
January 28, 2024
I’ve enjoyed some of Connie Wang’s articles but this book didn't quite hit the mark for me. The book is supposed to explore a complicated mother-daughter relationship and delve into family and generational issues. However, it fell short of these expectations.
The mother and daughter, who should have been the soul of the stories, felt flat and unrelatable. Wang made attempts to explore their psyche, but it didn't work out well. I had a hard time understanding their motivations and, honestly, it was tough to care about their journey.
The stories within the book felt exaggerated, almost like Wang was trying too hard to make things seem grander than they were. This led to the narratives losing their authenticity and feeling not so special.
On a more positive note, Wang does keep things simple. If you're looking for a quick, easy read, this could be it. But don't expect to be deeply moved or incredibly inspired.
In all honesty, the book felt more like a self-published gift for family members than a book intended for a wider audience. It had a promising premise but the execution lacked depth, proper character development, and engaging storytelling.
The mother and daughter, who should have been the soul of the stories, felt flat and unrelatable. Wang made attempts to explore their psyche, but it didn't work out well. I had a hard time understanding their motivations and, honestly, it was tough to care about their journey.
The stories within the book felt exaggerated, almost like Wang was trying too hard to make things seem grander than they were. This led to the narratives losing their authenticity and feeling not so special.
On a more positive note, Wang does keep things simple. If you're looking for a quick, easy read, this could be it. But don't expect to be deeply moved or incredibly inspired.
In all honesty, the book felt more like a self-published gift for family members than a book intended for a wider audience. It had a promising premise but the execution lacked depth, proper character development, and engaging storytelling.
May 11, 2023
Ya lo dije hace un par de semanas, este es el año en el que más he leído memoirs. Me encanta :D
En estas nueve historias, Connie nos cuenta acerca de su vida y el impacto que su madre ha tenido en ella. Llegaremos a conocer su relación a veces conflictiva y otras enternecedora. Algo importante en estas historias, no es la presencia activa de Qing, sino las enseñanzas que transmitió a Connie para que tomara las decisiones que se adecuaran no a las expectativas culturales, sino a las propias. Se exploran desde su perspectiva personal y familiar las cosas positivas y negativas de migrar: su lucha silenciosa contra la xenofobia y el conflicto interno por el choque cultural.
El hilo conductor de estas nueve aventuras son los momentos intensos en los que ha reconocido a su madre en ella misma o la comprensión de un aspecto de Qing que le había pasado desapercibido. Me gustó el proceso de descubrir quién es Qing Li no sólo como madre, sino como compañera de viaje, como amiga y como un ser libre, que sólo se pertenece a sí misma.
En estas nueve historias, Connie nos cuenta acerca de su vida y el impacto que su madre ha tenido en ella. Llegaremos a conocer su relación a veces conflictiva y otras enternecedora. Algo importante en estas historias, no es la presencia activa de Qing, sino las enseñanzas que transmitió a Connie para que tomara las decisiones que se adecuaran no a las expectativas culturales, sino a las propias. Se exploran desde su perspectiva personal y familiar las cosas positivas y negativas de migrar: su lucha silenciosa contra la xenofobia y el conflicto interno por el choque cultural.
El hilo conductor de estas nueve aventuras son los momentos intensos en los que ha reconocido a su madre en ella misma o la comprensión de un aspecto de Qing que le había pasado desapercibido. Me gustó el proceso de descubrir quién es Qing Li no sólo como madre, sino como compañera de viaje, como amiga y como un ser libre, que sólo se pertenece a sí misma.
September 12, 2023
The inside cover of this book reads “From attending a Magic Mike strip show in Vegas to experimenting with edibles in Amsterdam… this iconic mother daughter duo ventures into the world to find their place in it, and sometimes rail against it.” So I was expecting something… different? I get that it is the inside cover, but that is a real exaggeration of stories that ended up being quite tame. In reality, I think the stories could have been fun, but were told in a way that limited the hilarity of the circumstance. The “duo” isn’t really a duo at all — I don’t really understand these characters and their relationship better after reading this book. I was expecting mother daughter best friends like my mom and I, mixing cocktails and over sharing about our sex lives, and instead I got a mix of funny vacation stories where they didn’t interact at all. So yeah, I think there are better stories about mothers and daughters out there? I’m still on the hunt for stories where mothers and daughters are flawed but are genuinely friends. Let me know if you have recommendations!
May 23, 2023
Following in such esteemed footsteps of authors like Grace Cho (TASTES LIKE WAR), Michelle Zauner (CRYING IN H-MART), Anna Qu (MADE IN CHINA) and Putsata Reang (MA AND ME), debut author Connie Wang has produced a memoir that resonates with love and captivates readers with her adventures with her mother, Qing Li. Self-deprecating at times, hilarious at others and heartfelt throughout, Connie's writing (honed by Qing's editing) riveted me to their stories and their journey together to the present day. While Connie wrote that she and Qing were lucky "to not belong, together" (emphasizing the importance of proper punctuation :P), I would propose that in the recounting of their lives they belong to themselves, and to the world. And we are better for it. This book certainly belongs on all readers' "to be read" or "read" lists, and I so very much look forward to reading whatever Connie writes next.
August 3, 2023
Very little reflection or depth for a memoir. The author seemed unpleasant and judgmental for quite a bit of it. There was no “self discovery” here.
I would have also liked to have known more about her sister and her parents journey from struggling when the daughters were children to frequent travel to Europe and Asia when they were still only in their fifties. I really have no sense of her father at all or honestly her mother beyond her physical aliments.
Obliviously she has no obligation to tell anyone anything but the stories were so vague no one seems real except the author who seemed kind of exhausting to be around but also lacked introspection.
We learned a lot facts about her like her job but not any “why”—why did she go into fashion writing? Or anything about her husband beyond his existence.
The travel wasn’t even fleshed out beyond the literal travel aspects and who they traveled to and with.
Very shallow
I would have also liked to have known more about her sister and her parents journey from struggling when the daughters were children to frequent travel to Europe and Asia when they were still only in their fifties. I really have no sense of her father at all or honestly her mother beyond her physical aliments.
Obliviously she has no obligation to tell anyone anything but the stories were so vague no one seems real except the author who seemed kind of exhausting to be around but also lacked introspection.
We learned a lot facts about her like her job but not any “why”—why did she go into fashion writing? Or anything about her husband beyond his existence.
The travel wasn’t even fleshed out beyond the literal travel aspects and who they traveled to and with.
Very shallow
June 29, 2023
They say reading can be like looking out of a window or into a mirror. This book of essays tells stories that are eerily similar to the experiences I had growing up with immigrant Chinese parents. Every immigrant story is different, yet the many parallels make me feel seen and heard and not so alone.
Her stories are earnest and genuine, painting a true picture of her childhood and the many formative interactions she had with her mother. Wang's writing is entertaining, humorous, and unabashedly transparent. As the book progresses, the stories get more literary and, in my opinion, less compelling. However, the focus is always on the evolving relationship between mother and daughter and the difficult situations they face together.
Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for my ARC.
Her stories are earnest and genuine, painting a true picture of her childhood and the many formative interactions she had with her mother. Wang's writing is entertaining, humorous, and unabashedly transparent. As the book progresses, the stories get more literary and, in my opinion, less compelling. However, the focus is always on the evolving relationship between mother and daughter and the difficult situations they face together.
Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for my ARC.
October 29, 2023
Enjoyed this well enough but didn’t feel it had a super strong sense of itself, or maybe understand its reader. For example, it stood out that the author called her mother by name throughout, yet it was never explained why; just a line or two mentioning this choice could have freed up bandwidth I spent wondering about it the entire time.
Interesting tho for the wrestling with how she should feel vs how she does feel about her mom, and quite a colorful portrait painted of this iconoclast. Always interesting too to see how covid makes a cameo- different shockwaves went through each community (maybe even each person, at that time) and it’s refreshing to see it written about rather than avoided or consuming all the air in the plot.
Interesting tho for the wrestling with how she should feel vs how she does feel about her mom, and quite a colorful portrait painted of this iconoclast. Always interesting too to see how covid makes a cameo- different shockwaves went through each community (maybe even each person, at that time) and it’s refreshing to see it written about rather than avoided or consuming all the air in the plot.
June 18, 2023
I should have taken a break from one journalist memoir to the next, because this one ended up also being a slow read and didn't leave too much of an impression. I felt like I was reading someone's journal, temporarily immersed in the author's personal writing and honest thoughts but quickly moving on. From the synopsis I thought it would be a travelogue, but it is more of a memoir reflecting on her relationship with her mother with traveling as a loose structure; vacations are a memorable source of stories away from daily life. I'll be interested to see whether this author will write other types of books and what they'll be about.
September 9, 2023
This has been said before but the prologue and summary preparing the reader to learn about the author’s mother is misleading. Those were my favorite parts in the book (when their relationship was mentioned and what they discovered with and about each other) but it was as the subtitle suggests mostly a memoir. I like memoirs and I appreciated Connie sharing her experiences especially as the narrator of the audiobook. I even related to some of her inner feelings and ambitions, but overall I didn’t feel emotionally invested in the story and my expectations from the book cover did not match the reality of its contents.
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