A must read for any woman who has lost her mother. I found it so useful when a friend died and I took on the care of her 8-year old daughter to try to understand what she might be going through. What I didn't account for was the feelings I had and realised that being adopted, I was experiencing the same sense of loss; a profound moment for me! There aren't enough stars to rate this book ( )

I was deeply grieving the loss of my mother as I read this book, published just one year after her death. I found it very helpful in finding a place for my feelings and it helped me to feel less alone in the world, to know that in some way the feelings I had, others had experienced, too. I recommend it for other daughters and often lend out my copy. All kinds of losses and relationships are acknowledged and respected. ( )

I was originally given this book shortly after its publication, less than a year after losing my Mom to breast cancer. I just finished rereading it about 13 years later, and found it even more comforting and informative than the first time around. Written by a motherless daughter, the book focuses specifically on a daughter's grief for the early death of her mother. Although it can inform you about grief in general, if this specific scenario does not apply to you, the scope may seem limited unless you are interested in the psychology of bereavement. I found it to be very insightful, touching on an area that is not only rarely discussed in literature, but rarely discussed in life. This book helped me understand that I am not crazy for the magnitude and duration of my grief, nor am I alone in my experience. I also highly recommend the follow up book Hope Edelman wrote, consisting of letters she received after the publication of this work. I'll review that one as soon as I can find it! ( )