Letter to My Daughter is a coming of age debut novel, about a mother (Laura) and her teenage daughter(Liz). The story is written by George Bishop, and one would think that writing about a topic like this would be a difficult task to do well for most males, but this author succeeds.
After an argument with her mother on the eve of her fifteenth birthday, Liz storms off from her Louisiana home. While her father busies himself in projects, her mother watches the clock waiting for her daughter to return. She reflects on her own adolescence and decides to write Liz a letter, which she plans to give her on her birthday. In the letter she conveys stories never shared before about the conflicts she had with her own parents when she was her daughter's age. Laura writes an at times, painful and emotional story about her first love and her parents disapproval of the young man. She shares her experiences at Sacred Heart Academy, a Catholic boarding school that her parents sent her off too--their way of separating Laura and the young man.
MY THOUGHTS: The author did an excellent job conveying the pain and confusion of the teenage years and first love. Since the time period was the late 1960's and early 1970's, other hot issues are addressed as well, such as: the Vietnam war and discrimination etc. The novel is short, just 126 pages, but the story is written in a way that kept me engaged from beginning to end. RECOMMENDED (4/5 stars)
(Review copy provided by Shelf Awareness/Balletine Books)
I am anxiously waiting my turn for a copy of this book at the local library. My good friend read it, but wasn't impressed. I am wondering if it is because she only had sons and could not relate to the mother/daughter conflict?
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear you liked it and I hope to have the opportunity to read it over spring break.
That sounds like a must-read. I would love to read this some time, and being a short read makes me want to pick it up! Good review!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read - this kind of letter to another generation technique is one that I have come across before - but it is a great format when done well. thanks for sharing and recommending.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Such a brilliant review! I think this would be a great read for any girl finding her way through her relationship with her mother :)
ReplyDeleteDiane, as the mother of a teenager, this book sounds like something I should read. Thanks for your concise review and recommendation.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really good book. And, has some elements the 60s and 70s as I lived through them.
ReplyDeleteJust finished The Recipe Club - which deals with growing up - and is written in the same time period.
I've got this one on my Kindle and hope to read it soon. Being the mother of a daughter, I'm hoping I can relate. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to have get my copy off of the shelf this weekend and read it!! I like that it kept you engaged from beginning to end. Sounds like one I will enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book too! Bishop does a great job of writing from the female perspective.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book too. I still can't believe that it was written by a man. He really captured the female p-o-v and the times.
ReplyDeleteNever read. Thanks for the notes.
ReplyDeletep.s. sorry no thirsty thursday this week. though there is a post...next week, i promise!
SB
not too serious i hope
I think this book sounds great and I am so intrigued that a man is able to capture the mother - daughter point of view so well. Loved your review
ReplyDeleteI have heard that this is a great book and that the author did a great job with it, so I do want to try to read it soon. I am glad you liked it so much and that you gave it such a wonderful review. It sounds like an awesome read.
ReplyDeleteDear Diane,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comments on my book. You did such a good job of summarizing it, too, that I'm tempted to steal your description and use it myself.
Thanks to your readers as well.
All the best,
George