What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About
What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About
EGP830.00
As an undergraduate, Michele Filgate started writing an essay about being abused by her stepfather. It took her more than a decade to realize that she was actually trying to write about how this affected her relationship with her mother. When it was finally published, the essay went viral, shared on social media by Anne Lamott, Rebecca Solnit, and many others. This gave Filgate an idea, and the resulting anthology offers a candid look at our relationships with our mothers.
Leslie Jamison writes about trying to discover who her seemingly perfect mother was before ever becoming a mom. In Cathi Hanauer’s hilarious piece, she finally gets a chance to have a conversation with her mother that isn’t interrupted by her domineering (but lovable) father. André Aciman writes about what it was like to have a deaf mother. Melissa Febos uses mythology as a lens to look at her close-knit relationship with her psychotherapist mother. And Julianna Baggott talks about having a mom who tells her everything.
As Filgate writes, “Our mothers are our first homes, and that’s why we’re always trying to return to them.” There’s relief in acknowledging how what we couldn’t say for so long is a way to heal our relationships with others and, perhaps most important, with ourselves.
Contributions by Cathi Hanauer, Melissa Febos, Alexander Chee, Dylan Landis, Bernice L. McFadden, Julianna Baggott, Lynn Steger Strong, Kiese Laymon, Carmen Maria Machado, André Aciman, Sari Botton, Nayomi Munaweera, Brandon Taylor, and Leslie Jamison.
What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About
What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About Book Description
What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About is a powerful anthology of essays that explores the complex bond between mothers and daughters. Edited by Michele Filgate, the collection began as a personal essay about abuse and evolved into a candid conversation about the silent moments that shape our lives. When the original essay went viral, celebrated writers like Anne Lamott and Rebecca Solnit shared it, inspiring Filgate to invite other voices to join the dialogue.
Readers will find a wide range of perspectives, from Leslie Jamison’s search for the woman behind the “perfect mother” myth to Cathi Hanauer’s funny yet tender recounting of a conversation finally free from a dominating father. Each piece offers a fresh angle on a universal theme, making the book both intimate and broadly relatable.
Throughout the anthology, contributors use personal storytelling, mythology, and humor to uncover hidden emotions. André Aciman reflects on growing up with a deaf mother, while Melissa Febos frames her relationship with a psychotherapist mother through ancient myths. Julianna Baggott shares the relief of a mother who tells everything, reminding us that openness can heal long‑standing wounds.
Key Features of What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About
One of the book’s strengths is its diverse roster of writers. In addition to Jamison, Hanauer, Aciman, and Febos, the volume includes voices such as Alexander Chee, Dylan Landis, Bernice L. McFadden, Kiese Laymon, Carmen Maria Machado, Sari Botton, Nayomi Munaweera, and Brandon Taylor. This variety ensures that readers encounter many cultural and emotional viewpoints.
The essays are short enough to read in a single sitting, yet each one packs a vivid emotional punch. Filgate’s editorial notes weave the pieces together, highlighting recurring themes like silence, longing, and the search for identity. Because the stories are personal, they invite readers to reflect on their own mother‑daughter dynamics.
Additionally, the book balances humor with heartbreaking honesty. Hanauer’s piece brings laughter, while Aciman’s meditation on deafness offers quiet contemplation. This tonal range keeps the reading experience dynamic and prevents any single mood from dominating the collection.
Why Read This Book?
Readers will discover a safe space to explore topics often left unspoken. The anthology validates feelings of confusion, resentment, love, and gratitude that many daughters experience but rarely discuss. By naming these emotions, the book helps readers begin to heal their own relationships.
Fans of contemporary memoir and literary nonfiction will enjoy the lyrical prose and thoughtful structure. Meanwhile, anyone looking for a supportive companion on a personal journey will find comfort in the shared vulnerability of the contributors.
Moreover, the book serves as a conversation starter. Book clubs, therapy groups, or casual gatherings can use the essays as prompts for deeper dialogue. Because each story is self‑contained, readers can pick any piece that resonates and still gain insight.
About This Book
What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About is published in English and available now at Kalimat Bookstore Online. The anthology invites you to return to the first home we all share—our mothers—and to listen to the stories we have kept hidden. For more details about the author and the collection, visit the Goodreads page. Explore additional English titles in our store through this link.
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