Fierce Attachments

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In this haunting memoir, Vivian Gornick recounts her lifelong struggle for independence from her mother, exploring the complexities of their relationship with unflinching honesty. Unlike other works on mother-daughter dynamics, Gornick confronts what Edna O'Brien describes as "the principal crux of female despair": the unacknowledged oedipal nature of their bond. Growing up in the Bronx as the daughter of "urban peasants," Gornick navigates a home overshadowed by her intelligent yet uneducated mother's romantic depression following the early death of her husband. Next door lives Nettie, an alluring widow whose sensuality captivates Vivian, presenting contrasting models of femininity that influence her adult life. As Gornick walks through New York with her aging mother, their conversations reveal both tension and tenderness, showcasing the caustic yet courageous daughter and her wise, resilient mother. This memoir, marked by its unsparing honesty and emotional depth, stands as a remarkable testament to family ties, contributing to the memoir boom and remaining a poignant example of the genre.