Synopses & Reviews
With A New Epilogue by editor Barbara Graham
In this groundbreaking collection, twenty-seven smart, gutsy writers explode the clichés and tell the real stories about what it's like to be a grandmother in today's world. Among the contributors:
- Judith Viorst exposes the high-stakes competition for Most Adored Nana.
- Anne Roiphe learns to keep her mouth shut and her opinions to herself.
- Elizabeth Berg marvels at witnessing her child give birth to her child.
- Judith Guest confesses her failed attempt to be the perfect grandmother.
- Jill Nelson grapples with unforeseen mother-daughter tensions.
- Ellen Gilchrist reveals how grandparenthood has eased her fear of death.
- Beverly Donofrio makes amends for her shortcomings as a teenage mother.
- Bharati Mukherjee transcends her Hindu upbringing to embrace her adopted Chinese granddaughters.
- Mary Pipher deconstructs the role of grandmother in our changing world.
Review
“In illuminating, unsentimental essays, 27 writers offer up insights on the tricky art of grandmothering.” People
Review
“Spry and unsentimental. . . . Truth telling with dollops of love.” O magazine
Review
“Insightful and candid, sometimes painfully so. . . . Women who have achieved grandmotherly status will appreciate this engaging, honest volume of essays by 26 writers who articulate shared emotions about their grandchildren.” Publishers Weekly
Review
“So many different perspectives and vantage points are woven seamlessly that no matter what their personal relationship to the word ‘grandmother is, readers will find much to make them laugh out loudand also to break their hearts.” Christian Science Monitor
Synopsis
"Finally, a look at grandmothering that is decidedly unsentimental. These clear-eyed essays offer humor and insight as they take on the multigenerational lives many of us now lead." -Cokie Roberts, author of We Are Our Mothers' Daughters
In this groundbreaking collection, twenty-seven smart, gutsy writers explode the clich s and tell the real stories about what it's like to be a grandmother in today's world. Among the contributors:
- Judith Viorst exposes the high-stakes competition for Most Adored Nana.
- Anne Roiphe learns to keep her mouth shut and her opinions to herself.
- Elizabeth Berg marvels at witnessing her child give birth to her child.
- Judith Guest confesses her failed attempt to be the perfect grandmother.
- Jill Nelson grapples with unforeseen mother-daughter tensions.
- Ellen Gilchrist reveals how grandparenthood has eased her fear of death.
- Beverly Donofrio makes amends for her shortcomings as a teenage mother.
- Bharati Mukherjee transcends her Hindu upbringing to embrace her adopted Chinese granddaughters.
- Mary Pipher deconstructs the role of grandmother in our changing world.
Synopsis
New York Times Bestseller
"Finally, a look at grandmothering that is decidedly unsentimental. These clear-eyed essays offer humor and insight as they take on the multigenerational lives many of us now lead." -Cokie Roberts, author of We Are Our Mothers' Daughters
In this groundbreaking collection, twenty-seven smart, gutsy writers explode the clich s and tell the real stories about what it's like to be a grandmother in today's world. Among the contributors:
Judith Viorst exposes the high-stakes competition for Most Adored NanaAnne Roiphe learns to keep her mouth shut and her opinions to herselfElizabeth Berg marvels at witnessing her child give birth to her childJudith Guest confesses her failed attempt to be the perfect grandmotherJill Nelson grapples with unforeseen mother-daughter tensionsEllen Gilchrist reveals how grandparenthood has eased her fear of deathBeverly Donofrio makes amends for her shortcomings as a teenage motherBharati Mukherjee transcends her Hindu upbringing to embrace her adopted Chinese granddaughtersMary Pipher deconstructs the role of grandmother in our changing world
About the Author
Barbara Graham is the author of Women Who Run with the Poodles, an acclaimed satire of the self-help movement. She is a frequent contributor to O: The Oprah Magazineand has also written for Glamour, More, National Geographic Traveler, Redbook, Time, and Vogue, as well as other publications. Her plays have been produced in New York and around the country. Graham lives with her husband in Washington, D.C., and has one grandchild.