This book could be the face of Funny People Cry Too, literally. I found myself sobbing at its conclusion while bursting into laughter throughout. Such a blend of emotions is a rarity for me when I read a memoir. “Nobody Will Tell You This But Me” is not written like a typical memoir. Instead, it takes the form of a series of heart-to-heart conversations between a grandmother and her granddaughter. Through these dialogues, the grandmother candidly imparts family secrets and stories the daughter didn’t know about because her mother never told her. The raw honesty exchanged between these two generations reveals how meaningful a relationship can become when someone in the family chooses to lay bare the family’s history, narratives, and pain. Perhaps, family secrets were never meant to be hidden from a child and maybe the truth is what we all need to hear a little more of from the people they raise us.
This book compels us, as readers, to reflect on own relationships with our family members, pushing us to confront essential questions: What do we wish we knew about our parents past? What topics do we shy away from discussing with our parents? Many of us have a strained relationship with someone in our family. This memoir reminds us that maybe family secrets were never meant to be hidden from a child, and perhaps the truth is what we all need to hear a little more of from the people that raised us.
The reason I sobbed after reading this book is because the love shared between this grandmother and granddaughter was so profound. If you’ve ever experienced the desire to bridge the gap with a family member but find yourself grappling to do so, I urge you to read this book! It will remind you that the unsettling questions we have always wanted to ask our parents, the tough conversations perhaps are the key to the most profound discoveries, answers, and healing in our lives.
3 Things You Will Gain From Reading “Nobody Will Tell You This But Me“
- It explores the topic of immigrant families, a subject I’ve encountered in various stories. Nonetheless, this book offers a unique perspective, delving into the immense mental fortitude required to embark on the journey to America. The book follows the grandmother who came to New York by herself on a boat as a 12-year-old Jewish immigrant. She almost died. Not only did this little girl survive this journey, but she went on to marry, have kids, and raise a family. However, the hardships of her early years, hardened her, and sometimes when she wanted to love, all she knew how to do was be hard.
- Speaking of stern mothers, this book provides a firsthand look at this topic. This memoir provides a glimpse into a life of what makes a woman hard and stoic, reminding us there’s always a reason for this behavior. It serves as a poignant reminder that such behavior is often rooted in personal history and pain and when a mother struggles to be patience and loving, there is always a reason.
- This book will provide a deep appreciation and understanding for the women in your family who are mothers. Mothers can do a lot, but at what cost? Their time, their peace of mind, their emotional well-being? If you are struggling to forgive a motherly figure in your life, this book imparts valuable lessons around this topic.
