This novel reflects many realities from our daily life that usually each one of us think about it individually but doesn't give much thought about sharing it with others whether because he/she is ashamed to do so or just because he/she doesn't realize the universality of his/her case. One of those stuff is the relation between mothers and daughters and how it is a special but also awkward relation. Special because I deeply believe that this is the only relation in the whole universe that can't be broken by any means or under any circumstances. And awkward because... Well for unlimited reasons among which the difficulty of achieving a real friendship between both sides since there are always limits that a daughter can't cross when she deals with her mother which isn't the case with other friends especially regarding the subject of high respect and obedience. Also because most mothers can't understand that although their daughters are a part of them, that part will always stays a part namely they are finally two separate people with different brains to think, to choose and to take decisions with; accordingly the mothers should be more tolerant to let their daughters lead their own lives, under their supervision if that is necessary but above all outside their constant control and guiding. It is a long review I know but to be honest that is just a part of what I want to say about this novel and I hope to come back later to finish my review ISA.
A friend recommended this but I don't know why. While it had an interesting premise (36 year old schoolteacher raised by Holocaust survivors meets her crazy birth mother), it didn't work for me.April Epner is a flat character. A smart woman with a masters degree in dead languages, she teaches at a Boston High School and has no goals or motivation. She's perfectly happy with her dull life which includes no hobbies, no interests of any kind, no boyfriends and no family beyond her brother, Fred, who she rarely sees. Then Bernice comes charging into her life, claiming to be her mother. Bernice has a talk show on TV, is larger than life and lies constantly. If she'd been amusing, this might have saved the story but Bernice came off as annoying and vulgar. They cast Bette Midler in the role of Bernice in the movie version which makes perfect sense and also makes me not want to see the film. Anyway, April discovers that the 6 foot 5 inch giant in the library has had the hots for her for years despite never hinting that fact to her in a way which would let her understand it. They develop a relationship which Bernice wants to micromanage, and decide to get married.The happy ending left me rolling my eyes and pleased that I could finally move onto something else.Not recommended.
I had my doubts when I first started reading this novel - narrated by an adult adopted person (sensible and down-to-earth) who is unexpectedly contacted by her birth mother (flamboyant to say the least - in the movie the birthmom is played by Bette Midler). The plot seems headed for improbable and unrealistic, but takes a surprising turn toward reality and ends up being a nice, sweet story. The movie is apparently not as good as the book.This was the author's first novel, published around 1990, and she has published quite a few more since then. Amazon.com reviews says "Lipman is a modern-day Jane Austen and her characters crackle with wit and intelligence."
—David
This charming little story reveals how a reunion between a grown woman and her birth mother can totally change the lives of each of them, in unexpected ways.April Epner teaches high school Latin, dresses for comfort, and lives a no-nonsense life. Not much going on socially, but this doesn’t seem to bother her.Her adoptive parents have died, within two years of one another, and April does feel at loose ends. She doesn’t think much about her birth mother, so when she is contacted by a friend of the woman, she doesn’t really believe it at first. This celebrity talk-show hostess couldn’t possibly be her mother!They gradually come to know one another---kind of like mixing oil and water---but April finds that her life is changing pleasantly, in subtle ways. She opens herself to a relationship with the school librarian and she even allows herself to make small changes in other aspects of her life. Closed off and detached from relationships as she has been, she finds that, even at the unlikely age of thirty-six, one can find love and family connections. There are some predictable moments in this tale, like seeing a “talk-show reunion moment” played out, but the book leaves the reader with a warm, tingly glow.
—Laurel-Rain
I was so surprised to see that this book had been turned into a movie. It wasn't a very good movie, which is probably why I didn't know anything about it until I saw it on a flight home last summer. The movie was almost nothing like the book--which was great. I loved the premise--a "Sally Jessie Raphael" type (now I think of it, they should have cast Oprah, but Bette Midler played the role very well in the movie) decides to look for the baby she gave up for adoption years before. The baby is now a young woman whose parents have died, and who is a bit repressed. She receives the overtures with dismay, moves to caution, and ends up...well, you should read it.
—Dawn
