Reviews

What We Carry: A Memoir by Maya Shanbhag Lang

lulumt's review

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challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

4.5

britlovestoread's review against another edition

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5.0

This is a book I needed that I had no idea I needed until I picked it up and I am literally a puddle on the floor after finishing this.

"Maybe at our most maternal, we aren’t mothers at all. We’re daughters, reaching back in time for the mothers we wish we’d had and then finding ourselves."

That quote literally shakes me to my core because, I mean, wow.

Following Maya's journey learning hard truths about her mother and learning how to care for her as her dementia worsened, it was captivating. And her analysis on women, especially as mothers, and all that we carry- how we are constantly expected to sacrifice ourselves over and over again- it was dead on. The weight is so heavy.. Maya learning how to balance that weight, or at least how to *try* and balance that weight, and ultimately choosing herself more frequently was so encouraging. Such a beautiful story.

hthill25's review

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reflective medium-paced

4.25

In the beginning, I didn't think I was going to like this book; it was quite dark and depressing.  However, by the end it was a wonderful story of mother-daughter relationships and the relationship with your self.  Recommended for those with aging parents!

ppratz's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

5.0

krebtown15's review against another edition

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5.0

As the daughter of a mom with dementia, I found this illuminating, reassuring, distant from my experience, and also revealing. Beautifully written and honest.

lmau's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.75

whimsybookworm's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

ap1's review

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.25

lemonadegirl29's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced

5.0

gabylewis5's review against another edition

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5.0

One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.