In this haunting short story of loyalty and betrayal, a young woman in early 1900s Massachusetts discovers that in navigating her treacherous coming-of-age, she must find her voice first.For fatefully observant Adeline, growing up carries an ominous warning from her adulterous mother: don’t say a word. Adeline vows to never speak again. But that’s not her only secret. After her mother takes a … takes a housekeeping job at a lighthouse off the tip of Cape Ann, a local woman vanishes. The key to the mystery lies with Adeline, the silent witness. New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic Alice Hoffman crafts a beautiful, heart-wrenching short story.
Alice Hoffman’s Everything My Mother Taught Me is part of Inheritance, a collection of five stories about secrets, unspoken desires, and dangerous revelations between loved ones. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single setting. By yourself, behind closed doors, or shared with someone you trust.
more
I always enjoy reading Alice Hoffman’s work, she has such a magical way with her characters and stories. This short story was no exception. A young girl is dragged around the northeast by her mother in a seemingly trapped life. But things are never as they seem, and the little twist at the end was delightful and satisfying. A charming read.
This is a very short read, about 24 pages I believe, that delivers on every word. I wasn’t expecting what I received. So for starters it turns out Alice Hoffman is an author I have previously read, when I was very young. I found Green Angel as a bargain buy in middle school (I’m 25 now) and while reading this current Prime Reads adventure, I felt the same draw to this writers ability to tear characters to their core and preserve their innocence just as I felt all those years ago. She writes poetically and the thoughts of her protagonists can really resonate with anyone. The plot is an interesting story as well as natural to follow. I think Hoffman really gives you a hopeful perspective with deeply sorrowful roots and that really just moves me as a reader to feel such rawness explained. I really appreciated this and my only complaint is that I wish it had been longer simply for the eloquence.
We all know about physical abuse but mental can be just as damaging. I was given this book as an ARC read and I finished it really quickly. Adeline is a daughter of a mother that really is a mean person who is not happy at all with her life or her daughter. This is a short story and we are happy at the end but I so wanted to go back to the 1900’s and take Adeline in my arms and protect her. So glad she found happiness. It was almost like this was a real story not fiction….
I’ve never read anything by Alice Hoffman before but saw this book listed for free as part of Amazon’s Inheritance collection. Wow. I was blown away by how her writing drew me into the story. I found Adaline to be amazing and adorable and strong. She suffered abuse in so many ways, but stayed true to herself and what she believed to be right. Her love for her father was beautiful as was her love and loyalty to Julia. And she contradicts the title of the book so completely – she is everything that she didn’t learn from her mother, who was a truly horrid creature. The ending was also one of the more perfect endings I’ve ever read.
Alice Hoffman is one of my favorite authors. This short 28 page book did not disappoint. It’s amazing how much impact can be wrapped up in such a short story. I loved the main character- a 12 year old girl named Adeline who loses her father and stops speaking. Her mother a so called role model is anything but. I highly recommend reading this story. It’s a taste of the magnificent work that this author provides her readers. I want more of this story!