My Mother and Other Secrets

Description

When Wendyl Nissen's mother was suffering with Alzheimer's, she told some extraordinary stories about her background that Wendyl had never heard before. Determined to get to the bottom of these family secrets, Wendyl found some wild and intriguing stories of loss, grief and love. She uncovered new relatives, deeply sad adoptions, harsh parenting, complex marriages and a few rogues. These stories often highlighted how tough life was for women and children in an era when women had to fight for every bit of independence they gained. This compelling, moving book is about mothers and daughters, ageing and the way deep family traumas echo down through the generations. It is also spliced with wisdom on caring for someone with dementia.

Wendyl Nissen is a journalist, broadcaster and magazine editor who is the author of 10 books, mostly about living a chemical-free, old-fashioned life. She left the corporate world 20 years ago and now lives in the Hokianga with her husband, her father, 20 chickens (and counting), two cows, two dogs and three stray cats.

'Very raw material in the hands of a seasoned storyteller' Sunday Star Times 'I devoured this in 24 hours ... such is the quality and style of Wendyl's personal writing. A true memoir that is emotive, thoughtful and considered.' Sue Reid, Paper Plus 'Compelling . . . frank and often moving.' Elspeth McLean, Otago Daily Times 'Wise, well-told and sympathetic.' Steve Braunias, Newsroom