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Miss Lynn, My Delusional Mother: A memoir of a woman who was controlling, manipulative and deceptive in our family business and personal lives.
“So powerful…I was captivated…You wrote it beautifully.” Meet Miss Lynn. Talented. Ahead of her time. Hard working. Good looking. Seems like you'd have to go a ways to mess up your life with all that going for you, but she did. Over and over again. To Miss Lynn, she was always right. To Miss Lynn, it was always someone else's fault. To Miss Lynn, there were two kinds of people, Miss Lynn and everybody else. Only she possessed The Truth, her reality "I'm all right, the world's all wrong." One fine example was the time all of the money (worth over 1.5 million dollars) went missing from the family business. Miss Lynn? “Don't you dare blame me. I am a business woman. If money is missing, you probably stole it. Besides, it was my money.” “Peasant.” (Implied) This is a woman who refused to take "no" for an answer and was, in many ways, years ahead of her time; who destroyed her most intimate relationships over imagined wrongs. She squandered her talent and potential by choosing greed and self-interest over her business, employees, and friends. And son. Miss Lynn had one child, her son Andy, who looked out for her his entire life. Yet her most beloved and cherished companion since she invented him more than 50 years ago was David, who existed only in Miss Lynn World, and yet remained real to her until the day she died. Take a Look Inside.
215 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 7, 2015
Many thanks and much appreciation for the e-ARC "Miss Lynn: My Delusional Mother, A True Story" authored by Andy Accioli for the purpose of this review.
Andy Accioli was born to married Italian Catholic parents in the 1950's, his father "Big Andy" was the traditional breadwinner husband who believed his wife "Miss Lynn" should remain a homemaker and care for their only son; which was at the time a cultural societal expectation. Miss Lynn had other ideas which didn't include remaining confined at home. Miss Lynn sought fame by promoting the "Ironrite" machine (along with Andy), this was an interesting tidbit reflecting that era. Miss Lynn and Big Andy would eventually divorce and the author was raised by his mother, who was awarded custody.
Accioli reached the understanding his mother was quite different, selfish, delusional to the point of being unaware of reality. Miss Lynn remarried three times, and had numerous relationships, unsuccessful business ventures, always trying to make a fast buck, and was eventually estranged from her entire family and grandchildren. Accioli explains his mother was never diagnosed with a mental/personality disorder, or ever sought counseling because she blamed any difficulties and problems on others, and lacked insight and self-awareness to admit or acknowledge her faults/problems.
It was interesting that in spite of his awareness of Miss Lynn's outrageous behavior he bought a home with her, and was involved in multiple business arrangements until he was forced to admit she would bankrupt him if he continued. The author went on to start a successful travel/tour agency that operated in several states. This was a good story overall, illustrating how Accioli with the support of his wife Kathy, coped and dealt with adversity surrounding such a difficult mentally ill parent; while maintaining a level of stability and security in their own lives. To their credit the Accioli's remained respectful of Miss Lynn until her death on a nursing home when she was 85.
Andy Accioli was born to married Italian Catholic parents in the 1950's, his father "Big Andy" was the traditional breadwinner husband who believed his wife "Miss Lynn" should remain a homemaker and care for their only son; which was at the time a cultural societal expectation. Miss Lynn had other ideas which didn't include remaining confined at home. Miss Lynn sought fame by promoting the "Ironrite" machine (along with Andy), this was an interesting tidbit reflecting that era. Miss Lynn and Big Andy would eventually divorce and the author was raised by his mother, who was awarded custody.
Accioli reached the understanding his mother was quite different, selfish, delusional to the point of being unaware of reality. Miss Lynn remarried three times, and had numerous relationships, unsuccessful business ventures, always trying to make a fast buck, and was eventually estranged from her entire family and grandchildren. Accioli explains his mother was never diagnosed with a mental/personality disorder, or ever sought counseling because she blamed any difficulties and problems on others, and lacked insight and self-awareness to admit or acknowledge her faults/problems.
It was interesting that in spite of his awareness of Miss Lynn's outrageous behavior he bought a home with her, and was involved in multiple business arrangements until he was forced to admit she would bankrupt him if he continued. The author went on to start a successful travel/tour agency that operated in several states. This was a good story overall, illustrating how Accioli with the support of his wife Kathy, coped and dealt with adversity surrounding such a difficult mentally ill parent; while maintaining a level of stability and security in their own lives. To their credit the Accioli's remained respectful of Miss Lynn until her death on a nursing home when she was 85.
February 24, 2015
Tears for Andy.
Having had a wonderful, loving mother it was difficult to read this in places. I couldn't imagine my mother doing any of the things Miss Lynn got up too. I believe she must have been mentally ill all of Andy's life. It is amazing that he was able to function with any normality considering all she put him through.
His wife, Kathy, is to be commended for her attitude, continuing to be kind and loving to Miss Lynn through out all the time she knew her.
Kudos to Andy for the honesty and courage it must have required to write this. I won't forget this remarkable book anytime soon.
Having had a wonderful, loving mother it was difficult to read this in places. I couldn't imagine my mother doing any of the things Miss Lynn got up too. I believe she must have been mentally ill all of Andy's life. It is amazing that he was able to function with any normality considering all she put him through.
His wife, Kathy, is to be commended for her attitude, continuing to be kind and loving to Miss Lynn through out all the time she knew her.
Kudos to Andy for the honesty and courage it must have required to write this. I won't forget this remarkable book anytime soon.
February 27, 2015
Great book! My heart goes out to the author.
Andy Accioli's mother is a very self centered woman who seems hateful at times, especially to her son. I really don't know how Andy was able to cope with all of his mother's antics. He is a very patient man! While reading the book, I was trying to figure out if I could be that patient. Probably not! Read it for yourself and see.
Andy Accioli's mother is a very self centered woman who seems hateful at times, especially to her son. I really don't know how Andy was able to cope with all of his mother's antics. He is a very patient man! While reading the book, I was trying to figure out if I could be that patient. Probably not! Read it for yourself and see.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews