Three Mothers

by Phyllida Law

A single-volume edition of two hugely charming and funny memoirs of family life, by the inimitable Phyllida Law.

Phyllida Law's treasured mother-in-law Annie was the lynchpin of the entire family, so when they realised she was growing ever more deaf the only solution was for Phyllida to note down all the day's gossip for Annie to read.

When her own mother Mego - always deliciously dotty - was diagnosed with dementia late in her life, Phyllida devoted herself to Mego's care, on hand to keep the cottage tidy and prepare a medicinal G&T. And all the while Phyllida had to manage her busy acting career and bring up her own daughters, the actresses Emma and Sophie Thompson.

Complete with wonderful new material from Phyllida, Emma and Sophie, this single-volume edition of Phyllida Laws's two enchanting memoirs of family life - 'Notes to my Mother-in-Law' and 'How Many Camels Are There in Holland?' - is a tender and sweetly comic story of mothers, daughters, a malfunctioning hearing aid and a most peculiar question about camels ...

352 pages, Hardcover

First published February 27, 2014

About the author

Phyllida Ann Law (6 July 1932 − 27 July 2026) was a Scottish television, film and stage actress.

Having trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, she appeared in television series such as Dixon of Dock Green, Rumpole of the Bailey, Kingdom and Foyle's War. Her film credits included Peter's Friends (1992), Much Ado About Nothing (1993) and The Winter Guest (1997).

Her daughters Emma and Sophie Thompson are also actresses.

Reviews

[Malcolm Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book.
Phyllida tells the story of her life looking after her mother as she develops and succumbs to dementia.
She also shares an insight into her acting career and those of her daughters, Emma & Sophie Thompson.

The book is written in a "diary" style and has many funny as well as moving passages.
Thoroughly recommended.

[Helen O'Toole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A totally delightful reminiscence of how Phyllida Law coped with her very deaf mother in law & her darling mum’s dementia plus loads of family stories, cute illustrations and even recipes. As her two daughters are the actresses Emma & Sophie Thompson and she is herself an accomplished actor, lots of film, stage and who knows who snippets of gossip and fascinating information. One example of the witty notes she writes is on page 153: Dear ‘Em!
It would be good if you phoned around 6pm when I intend to be thoroughly inebriated & Ma will have had her G& T.
A wonderful book to simply delve into as it is a joining of two separate books and is such a tribute to two wonderful women & it shows what fantastic people Phyllida Law & her daughters really are.

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

You wouldn’t think a book about caring for an elderly mother-in-law and subsequently your mother with dementia would be uplifting but this really was. Told as a series of anecdotes, it was easy to read and full of warmth

[Pauline Chamberlain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good interesting biography of a great actor who has brought up 2 wonderful actors too. A fair amount of anecdotes in it and notes that were left by people in her past

[Shelby]

DNF - I guess I’m just not a fan of biographies!

[Sheri Lomax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching, moving and funny!

[Marie Bomyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poignant, witty and deeply humane piece of writing.

[Debih · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a smile on my face all the way through and at times laughed out loud. An amusing yet poignant glimpse at the rigors, frustrations and exasperations of caring for an elderly loved one. Also a very amusing look into what the future may hold for many of us. I really think that the Thomson sisters should put this memoir of their mother's on stage or make it into a film. I could hear Emma Thomson's voice in my head all the way through.

Delightful and sad at the same time. Loved it!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It is light but also very moving. It's the memoirs of the actor Phyllida Law, mother to Emma and Sophie Thompson, but instead of being the usual details of an actors life, this is about the care of her mother in law and then her mother, and is a beautiful account of a caring and loving relationship with both of these women. A good read.

[Jill Shapcott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely gentle book of memoirs from one of Britain's favourite actresses. She has looked after her Mum and her mother-in-law with patience and love, sharing many funny moments in trying situations, as well as being made a widow at a young age. She also describes her life with her actress daughters, Emma and Sophie. Very good 'dipping' book, a bit at a time.

[Jamie Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart warming book, tinged with sadness and reality. It is a book everyone can relate to in some way. The loss of a parent is hard, but with dementia it is like you lose them twice. Make everyday with them special like in this splendid book.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little read. And appropriate for me at this time…. Author looking after mother and mil during last months (years perhaps) of their lives, and myself in Leicester working thru end of life preparations for my own Mum. I hope I’m coming across as being as patient as L.

[Nannick JF · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful book. one to read again. wonderful drawings.

[Costantia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely lively voice

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, light and moving book in appreciation of life & mothers (& camels) everywhere.

[Sarah Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Technically two books, I far preferred How Many Camels Are There in Holland?

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and warm and simply touching.