Things I Wish I Told My Mother
A Novel
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4.3 • 422 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
An artist and her perfectionist mother unpack a lifetime of secrets while on vacation in Paris in this moving novel from the world's #1 bestselling author—perfect for fans of One Italian Summer.
Every daughter has her own distinctive voice, her inimitable style, and her secrets. Laurie is an artist, a collector of experiences. She travels the world with a worn beige duffel bag.
Every mother has her own distinctive voice, her inimitable style, and her secrets. “Dr. Liz,” Laurie’s mother, is an elegant perfectionist who travels the world with a matched set of suitcases.
When Laurie surprises her mother with a dream vacation, it brings an unexpected sparkle to her eyes. So begins Things I Wish I Told My Mother. You will wish this novel never ends.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The Pattersons (coauthors of the Little Geniuses children's series) join with humor columnist DiLallo for an appealing story of a divorced woman and her widowed mother's trip to Europe. Laurie Margolis is about to land a big advertising account when she learns her famous ob-gyn mother, Elizabeth Ormson, has had a heart attack at 68. As Elizabeth recovers, Laurie suggests a reviving trip to Paris and to her mother's Norwegian homeland. The usual mother-daughter frictions occur: Laurie thinks she's not good enough in her mother's eyes and is overly sensitive to judgment, while Elizabeth claims her criticism is in Laurie's best interests. As well, Elizabeth is nonplussed to discover Laurie has set up a reunion in Norway with Elizabeth's estranged sister, Jeannie Ormson, whom she hasn't seen in nearly 50 years. More misadventures ensue during the visit to Paris—Laurie's is amorous while Elizabeth's is aortic—and their trials help patch up their fractious relationship. A startling and unnecessary late plot twist throws everything into an entirely different light, but fortunately the authors don't lose grasp of their well-built characters. Despite the bumpy ride, this feel-good story makes a convincing case for the importance of familial love.
Customer Reviews
READ EVEN IF LEERY
I cried and laughed, sometimes together.
Really a good read!
Gut Wrenching Twist
The twist blindsided me but in a good way. Bring the tissues.
Waste of money
It was a waste of money. I’m actually kind of upset I even considered reading this book. I never write reviews and I’m never going to by what the reviews says again . I actually still shocked that someone wrote something like this.