Dear Laura: Letters from a Mother to a Daughter

by Laura Hird, June Hird

When writer Laura Hird first left home to study in London her mother kept in touch with a stream of letters both deeply moving and extremely funny. June Hird - thwarted actress, insatiable reader and self-confessed constipated romantic is her daughter's staunchest supporter and harshest critic. She clearly struggled with empty nest feelings of loss, grief, freedom and pride. Her letters are full of advice, scolding and encouragement, gossip about friends and family as well as comments on culture and current affairs, hopes for her daughter and regrets about her own life. In the stunned space following the death of both of her parents, Laura Hird began to re-read her mother's letters. Hearing her mother's voice ringing from the pages she begins to examine the relationship between parents and child and confront her own feelings of guilt and grief.

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

Laura Hird is a Scottish novelist and short story writer. She is the only child of June, medical secretary/undiscovered literary/acting genius and Ronnie, ex Allied Brewers storeman/undiscovered artistic genius.

Laura spent her childhood climbing trees, playing with Action Men, being taken to opera/ballet/musicals, learning piano, entering competitions and being subsequently bullied (an ordeal which she now describes as "character-building") After leaving Tynecastle School, aged 16, she embarked on various careers - sales assistant at Rae Macintosh classical record shop, packer of coleslaw, packer of catalogue clothing, seller of velvet shirts at Ingliston Market, dozens of office jobs for civil engineers/chartered surveyors/insurance companies/Waterstones/Scottish Prison Officer "Association/Legal Aid Board" and stints as a Council Tax canvasser, bookies clerkess and boardmarker.

Between 1988-91 she studied at Middlesex Polytechnic and worked, lived and staggered around London, graduating with a BA(Hons) in Studies in Contemporary Writing. After this, she returned to Edinburgh, working again in offices to gain back her reputation as the oldest office junior in Britain, until receiving a Scottish Arts Council Bursary in 1997 to allow her to write full-time.

Reviews

[The Book Club · Rating 1 out of 5]

Based on letters send from a mother to her daughter, wasn’t my best read this year. I understand that the author wanted to realise her mum’s dream to publish a book and that she wanted to keep alive her memory, this is super sweet, but I just struggled to get through it all. I found it boring and not really deep emotionally wise.

[Gillian Dance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book. In the form of letters, with a little narrative, it is honest and moving and flows well. A real mother daughter / relationship that we are allowed to share in. The difficulties, the benefits, the love, the regrets, the little things that mothers and daughters do, as well as the wider family. A treasure to be able to follow the relationship through the years in this authentic way. Pulled on my heart strings.

[Emma Rosen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite sweet. June was a lovely writer. Was a bit of an odd one though because I didn't know who Laura Hird is and I also found it uncomfortable reading until the letter from Laura about halfway through.

[Amy Masters · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggled to read this book, didn't enjoy it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching insight into a mother-daughter relationship, conveyed through 'Mumsie's' regular letters to her girl. I enjoyed reading this and the final quarter was among the most moving writing I have ever read.

[Amie Mills · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't knock my socks off and make me miss my mum as much as I thought it would but nevertheless, a lovely insight into a special (if fraught) mother-daughter relationship.