Description
There was a time when I loved my mother. It's shocking to imply that I stopped loving my mum because mothers always love their children and always do their best for them. Mothers are supposed to be good. But my mother wasn't good.
Ten years ago, Helen Naylor discovered her mother, Elinor, had been faking debilitating illnesses for thirty years. After Elinor's self-induced death, Helen found her diaries, which Elinor wrote daily for over fifty years. The diaries reveal not only the inner workings of Elinor's twisted mind and self-delusion, but also shocking revelations about Helen's childhood.
Everything Helen knew about herself and her upbringing was founded on a lie. The unexplained accidents and days spent entirely on her own as a little girl, imagining herself climbing into the loft and disappearing into a different world, tell a story of neglect. As a teenager, her mother's advice to Helen on her body and mental health speaks of dangerous manipulation.
With Elinor's behaviour becoming increasingly destructive, and Helen now herself a mother, she was left with a stark choice: to collude with Elinor's lies or be accused of abandoning her.
Ten years ago, Helen Naylor discovered that her mother, Elinor, had been faking debilitating illnesses for thirty years. Everything Helen knew about herself and her upbringing was founded on a lie. My Mother, Munchausen's and Me delves into the complex world of family bonds, mental illness and explores the nature of truth and identity.
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'My Mother, Munchausen’s and Me' by Helen Naylor.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Helen Naylor, Thread publishers, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous.
Publication date 25th November 2021.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'My Mother, Munchausen’s and Me is a heart-breaking, honest and brave account of a daughter unravelling the truth about her mother and herself. It’s a story of a stolen childhood, mental illness, and the redemptive power of breaking a complex and toxic bond'. I am a huge fan of autobiographies so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Thread. I have yet to read a book published by Thread or Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 56 chapters. The chapters are short in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in the Midlands, England, 🏴 , UK 🇬🇧. I always enjoy when books are set in the UK as I'm from Wales and have sometimes visited areas mentioned in the book. I have in fact visited and holidayed in the Midlands. This makes it easier to picture where the scenes are set at times.
This book is written in first person perspective and the main protagonist is Helen Naylor, the author. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. With this being an autobiography it is more personal than fiction.
'My Mother, Munchausen’s and Me' discusses some topics that may trigger some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Helen discusses/includes child abuse.
What an absolute roller coaster ride of emotions!!!!
This book is well written with descriptions that leave you feeling Helen's pain, devastation and confusion.
This book tells the heartbreaking story of Helen's life from childhood until early adulthood and what it was like living under the dark cloud and reign of her mother. It is a truly devastating true account of what a narcissistic person with Munchausen's syndrome will do and the lengths they will go through for the attention of others. You will read how Helen was left to fend for herself as a child and then how she was at her mother's beck and call as an adult being made to feel guilty if she didn't come running. You will get a real life and in depth insight into how Helen was left feeling confused, betrayed, angry and so much more. It is written in a way that makes you feel that Helen is telling you her life story over a cup of tea although at some points I did become confused with the change of time lines. It is filled with lies, family, deceit, betrayal, love, sadness, pain, regret, abuse, and so many more emotions. If you are going to pick this book up then clear your schedules as you won't be able to put it down. It will leave you absolutely shocked and disgusted while filling you with sadness.
It is set over/includes multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
If you read one biography this year make sure this is the one!!!
Overall a heartbreaking and stomach churning true account of a victim and survivor of Munchausen's syndrome.
Genres covered in this book include Autobiography and True Crime amongst others.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of anyone who wants to get sucked into a true story.
340 pages.
This book is just £2.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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About the Author
Helen Naylor has been writing as a hobby since she was a small girl; but it wasn't until she began a memoir about growing up with a mother who faked illnesses and had narcissistic personality traits that she was encouraged to pursue writing professionally. Helen lives in Nottingham with her husband; two children and cat and enjoys cycling; playing guitar and drinking good coffee.
Purchase Link https://buff.ly/3nXyrKy
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