Synopses & Reviews
In her riveting memoir Lies My Mother Never Told Me, Kaylie Jones — the daughter of author James Jones (From Here to Eternity) and an acclaimed author in her own right (A Soldiers Daughter Never Cries; Celeste Ascending; As Soon As It Rains) — tells the poignant story of her relationship with her famous father and her alcoholic mother, and of her own struggles with the disease. A true story of privilege, loss, self-discovery, and redemption, Lies My Mother Never Told Me is Joness unforgettable account of a not-quite-fairy-tale childhood and adulthood defined by two constants: literature and alcohol.
Review
“Searing, brutally honest.” Washington Times
Review
“Brilliant, touching…. Absolutely addictive, this story of struggle and triumph is a joy to read, thanks to Joness gift for handling dark material with humor and grace…. a treasure.” Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
Review
“A bright, fast-paced memoir with an inviting spirit. ” Janet Maslin, New York Times
Review
“Unadorned, poignant and honest to the core, Kaylie Jones memoir is a light emerging from the shadows of a writing life.” Colum McCann, author of Let the Great World Spin
About the Author
Kaylie Jones was born in Paris, France, and attended French schools until she returned with her family to the United States in 1974. She attended Wesleyan University and Columbia University's School of the Arts. She is the author of A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries, which was made into a film starring Kris Kristofferson and Barbara Hershey, Celeste Ascending, As Soon as It Rains, and Speak Now. She also chairs the James Jones First Novel Fellowship, which awards $10,000 annually to the writer of an unpublished first novel. She lives in New York City.