This book, The Mighty Queens of Freeville : A mother, a Daughter and the Town that Raised Them is a loose chronicle of Amy Dickinson’s life, an syndicated advice columnist in “Ask Amy”, where millions of Americans turn to every week for their everyday problems. I wondered if this book was anything like “The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisters”, as the title seems to depict a story about a family of women.
But, it wasn’t. If anything, I didn’t really read anything about the Mighty Women, but more of Amy and her daughter, Emily.
Amy, was born and raised in Freeville. When she was 12, her father divorced her mother charging her with “cruel and inhuman treatment”. But being raised by a single mother, who was determined to put food on their plates, was a blessing. Amy tells that her mother would have probably ended up in a trailer park, had they continued their marriage.
Amy marries and also divorces (keeping within the family tradition of single motherhood), when Emily was just 2 years old. Each chapter will reveal certain aspects in her life and her daughter’s as well.
While I didn’t think the title befitted the story, I actually enjoyed reading it. There are several snippets where I, myself, have experienced or felt. One of which are..
“When you’re a single parent, you’re often lonely, yet seldom alone. There is no backup and no spontaneous escape from parenthood.”
Ok, I’m not a single mom, but I pretty much live like one, since I only get to see Mr.T 4 times in a year. But that line, really struck a deep chord in me.
I like her observations and I love her strength, humor and writing style. I guess that’s why she’s very well-loved for her “Ask Amy” column. This is a superb and enjoyable read. Just don’t let the title fool you. Heh.
- Hardcover: 240 pages
- Publisher: Hyperion (February 3, 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1401322859
- ISBN-13: 978-1401322854
Many thanks to ParentReviewers.com for this review opportunity.
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