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searser's review against another edition
2.0
I found Ayelet Waldman’s memoirs to be heartfelt and genuine. I laughed and I cried. But I don’t relate to her Jewish heritage, I wholeheartedly disagree with her position on abortion, and I have so far turned out to be what she might describe as a ninny who actually likes to listen to Raffi with my daughter. The last chapters turned out to be quite liberal, and not much about motherhood. I guess I didn’t realize how conservative I am... This book opened my eyes about the kind of mother I am and the kind of person I want to be. And for that self-realization, I’m glad to have read this book.
I found a lot of truth in Waldman’s observations about mothers, particularly in the first few chapters. I have been judged by the same women who judged her. I’ve felt the same disapproving eyes when I’ve fed my baby from a bottle when everyone knows “breast is best.” But as I read on, I began to judge Waldman, too. In my opinion, she is the worst of mothers. And yet, it didn’t really make me feel any better about what kind of mother I am, and it didn’t convince me that I am a “good” mother by comparison.
Bad Mother only proved to me that Ayelet Waldman is a bad mother doing the best she thinks she can. Maybe this book is just her defense of how she has raised her children so far. And maybe that’s all we each can do. Ignoring the critics who are bound to chime in, go about mothering to the best of our abilities.
I found a lot of truth in Waldman’s observations about mothers, particularly in the first few chapters. I have been judged by the same women who judged her. I’ve felt the same disapproving eyes when I’ve fed my baby from a bottle when everyone knows “breast is best.” But as I read on, I began to judge Waldman, too. In my opinion, she is the worst of mothers. And yet, it didn’t really make me feel any better about what kind of mother I am, and it didn’t convince me that I am a “good” mother by comparison.
Bad Mother only proved to me that Ayelet Waldman is a bad mother doing the best she thinks she can. Maybe this book is just her defense of how she has raised her children so far. And maybe that’s all we each can do. Ignoring the critics who are bound to chime in, go about mothering to the best of our abilities.
chelseaknits's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't agree with all of her opinions, but her writing style is engaging. I'm a sucker for memoir, especially parenting essays (odd, since I'm not even sure if I want kids), so this was a worthwhile read.
limeminearia's review against another edition
3.0
I liked Love and Other Impossible Pursuits better, but this was still a quick read. Probably only recommended for people who really dig personal essays or the author.
beachybookstack's review against another edition
3.0
An especially honest take on what it's like to be a mofern mother. BUT also a cynic, worrier, and borderline oversharer. The author has some bright spots in this mommy memoir, but it's plagued by her own self-doubt and uneasiness about nearly everything. I'm not yet a mother, perhaps this is truely some people's parental experience. Certain chapter were full of Negative Nancy with glimmers of hope sprinkled in for taste. For the most part, it felt like this was Waldman's catharsis or therapy session with herself.
librarydosebykristy's review against another edition
2.0
I started reading this book as part of my desire to read about motherhood. ugh, bad choice. It's not that Waldman is saying anything wrong--she's just so unbelievably irritating and smug while saying it that it ruins her point. She's like your crazy, annoying aunt who pushes you in a corner every Christmas and tells you waaaayyy too much information about her personal life. I think the only reason Ayelet was able to publish this book had to do with the controversy over her New York Times article where she said she loved her husband more than her children. Again, i didn't have any issue with her point, it's just that you have to wade through so much whining and unnecessary detail to get to it. She could have summed up this entire book with one well-constructed paragraph.
Waldman is married to Michael Chabon, one of my favorite writers, and I'm hoping she hasn't ruined him for me!
Waldman is married to Michael Chabon, one of my favorite writers, and I'm hoping she hasn't ruined him for me!
amandae129's review against another edition
5.0
This is a phenomenal book about motherhood and I am so glad to have read it while pregnant.
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
I only read this because Ayelet Waldman is married to Michael Chabon and because I had heard about the controversy she generated when she published an article saying she loved her husband more than her children. Curiosity got the better of me. I agree with her basic premise - that it is impossible to be a 'good mother' by our culture's standards (we're criticized for staying home, for working, for being too strict, for being too permissive etc.) and that we need to relax and be 'good enough' or 'not too bad'. But honestly, she's neurotic - and suffers from the 'Too Much Information' syndrome. I wouldn't recommend this one.
wrentheblurry's review against another edition
4.0
I found the author's raw honesty both refreshing and mildly disturbing. She says things in this book that I might not ever say to anyone else, just keep those thoughts in my head. Yet I understood all of it, and when I could, I empathized, and in other parts I sympathized. And I laughed. There is plenty of humor spread throughout, and it made me boggle that some people got so very upset over what Ayelet has written/said previously.
The book is an easy read, and one that I looked forward to lying down with each night. It was like having a long chat with a really open and sharing and funny girlfriend. If you are a mother, don't take yourself too seriously and have an open mind, give this one a try, you won't be sorry.
PS to my MIL--thank you for the personalized, autographed copy. I will keep it forever. :)
The book is an easy read, and one that I looked forward to lying down with each night. It was like having a long chat with a really open and sharing and funny girlfriend. If you are a mother, don't take yourself too seriously and have an open mind, give this one a try, you won't be sorry.
PS to my MIL--thank you for the personalized, autographed copy. I will keep it forever. :)
lisawhelpley's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. I think the title isn't a great choice for the book, however. It led me to think it would be a snarky, humorous book and there certainly is plenty of humor in it, but it is SO MUCH MORE than that. These 18 essays are written from the heart and show so many emotions and opinions that many women share, but often are afraid to express. Highly recommend this book.
elizaed's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't know much about the author before reading this. My son actually picked this book for me off the new releases shelf at the library. I laughed when he handed it to me but decided it was worth checking out. Really glad I did. While I can't give it 5 stars - the author's voice did grate on me at times -- overall it was a page turner. Waldman is often brutally honest about her experiences as a bipolar mother of 4. I cried when I read the chapter about how her newborn almost starved to death from an undiagnosed palate problem and her struggles to breastfeed him, and also the chapter about her considering an abortion after an amnio showed a potentially serious problem. I also found her discussion of the impossible ideal of what constitutes a Good Mother and how other mothers are often the cruelest enforcers of it sadly accurate. Not recommended for conservatives as she is definitely coming from the far left in her viewpoints, but if that doesn't put you off, it's a good read.