Shadow Daughter
A Memoir of Estrangement
by Harriet Brown
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Pub Date Nov 06 2018 | Archive Date Nov 12 2018
Perseus Books, Da Capo Press | Da Capo Press
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Description
The day of her mother's funeral, Harriet Brown was five thousand miles away. For years they'd gone through cycles of estrangement and connection, drastic blow-ups and equally dramatic reconciliations. By the time her mother died at seventy-six, they hadn't spoken at all in several years. Her mother's death sent Brown on a journey of exploration, one that considered guilt and trauma, rage and betrayal, and forgiveness.
Shadow Daughter tackles a subject we rarely discuss as a culture. Family estrangements -- between parents and children, siblings, multiple generations -- are surprisingly common, and even families that aren't officially estranged often have some experience of deep conflicts. Despite the fact that the issue touches most people one way or another, estrangement is still shrouded in secrecy, stigma, and shame. We simply don't talk about it, and that silence can make an already difficult situation even harder. Brown tells her story with clear-eyed honesty and hard-won wisdom; she also shared interviews with others who are estranged, as well as the most recent research on this taboo topic.
Ultimately, Shadow Daughter is a thoughtful, provocative, and deeply researched exploration of the ties that bind and break, forgiveness, reconciliation, and what family really means.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780738234533 |
| PRICE | $27.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 288 |
Featured Reviews
Kay O, Reviewer
Sad, and a bit heartbreaking. Cried because it hits close to home.
Thanks to author,publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free,it had no bearing on the rating I gave it
Jackie T, Reviewer
Harriet Brown is one of the millions of people who grapple with familial estrangement. In this book, she gives compelling credence to the fact that estrangement is sometimes the healthiest option. Witness the cruel, narcissistic parents who can't see their child as a separate human being- they look upon said child as an extension of themself.
Of course, there are always two sides to the causes of estrangement. Perhaps the adult child is spoiled, ungrateful, etc,. Nonetheless, estrangements are a real part of family dynamics no matter their cause.
Abby S, Reviewer
A heart wrenching memoir a memoir of estrangement..A book I sadly relate to so well written so honest so raw..#netgalley #Shadow Daughter #Persusbooks.
Janilyn K, Reviewer
Shadow Daughter is about estrangement from family. The author reveals her story throughout the chapters as well as others she interviewed. Brown eventually had to walk away from both her parents because a relationship was too stressful. Eventually her mother dies and she rebuilds a different relationship,with her father. It's a sad subject, but sometimes a person has to walk away in order to protect herself. Anyone who has doubts about cutting ties and reads this book will find the permission they seek within its chapters.
Reviewer 376660
Estrangement is a tough topic but impacts so many more people than expected. I am incredibly grateful that Harriet Brown wrote this book; I needed to read this and know I wasn't the only one who had had to make the difficult decision to cut a parent from their life. I will be buying multiple copies of this for my parents and siblings.
Ramona M, Media/Journalist
This book resonated with every cell in my body. If you have never experienced or considered family estrangement, much of what the author has to say may be difficult to understand. The research Brown has done, along with other studies she cites throughout the book, is enlightening and comforting to those of us who come from families dealing with estrangement.
Brown shares the story of her own estrangement from her mother with honesty and grace. I can only imagine how painful yet cathartic it was for her to complete this book. Her personal anecdotes are woven with research and interviews, which come together to create a heart wrenching story, as well as an excellent resource for others.
I will return to this book again and again for strategies on handling family trauma, as well as reassurance that my family and I are not alone in our pain.
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