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Letters to My Daughters
Theheartwarming new novel fromthe No. 1 Irish bestseller Emma Hannigan, author of The Wedding Promise, The Perfect Gift and the memoir All to Live For.The new bestsellerguaranteed to break your heart - and bring you joy...Her three girls were her world. It was time to let them know.To sisters Bea, Jeannie and Rose, the death of their beloved childhood nanny is a devastating loss. As the girls grew up, Nanny May had become so much more to them confidant, advocate, comforter, friend. In whom will they confide their hopes, fears and failures now she has gone? Especially now each sister needs a mother's wisdom more than ever...Martha cannot understand why her daughters are so upset about losing their childhood nanny. Yes, Martha was always in demand as a busy midwife, but that doesn't mean she loved her own children any less. But why don't the girls realise that? And has she left it too late to let them know...?
480 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2018
122 people are currently reading
817 people want to read
About the author
Emma Hannigan
23 books164 followersEmma Hannigan was an Irish author and blogger, best known for writing about her experience of suffering from cancer.
With a family history of breast and ovarian cancer, Hannigan's mother and maternal aunt tested positive for the responsible gene, BRCA1. She also received a 'positive' result in August 2005, which carries an 85% risk of developing breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer. In 2006, Hannigan underwent a bi-lateral mastectomy (or both breasts removed) and a bi-lateral oopherectomy (or both ovaries removed) to reduce the risk of cancer developing to 5%. However, breast cancer soon developed, "in the neck, shoulder and under my arm", in 2007. After repeated treatment, a tumor always reappeared. She died at age 45 after her tenth battle with cancer.
With a family history of breast and ovarian cancer, Hannigan's mother and maternal aunt tested positive for the responsible gene, BRCA1. She also received a 'positive' result in August 2005, which carries an 85% risk of developing breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer. In 2006, Hannigan underwent a bi-lateral mastectomy (or both breasts removed) and a bi-lateral oopherectomy (or both ovaries removed) to reduce the risk of cancer developing to 5%. However, breast cancer soon developed, "in the neck, shoulder and under my arm", in 2007. After repeated treatment, a tumor always reappeared. She died at age 45 after her tenth battle with cancer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
May 16, 2018
"Letters to My Daughters" is sadly the last book to be written by respected and talented author Emma Hannigan before she passed away of cancer, after bravely fighting and overcoming it a remarkable ten times. Writing was her saviour when she was battling through her toughest times and the literary world will not be the same without Emma in it. She had already written eleven very successful novels and an inspirational memoir and is a truly beloved and admired author who will be sorely missed.
Blurb - To sisters Bea, Jeannie and Rose, the death of their beloved childhood nanny is a devastating loss. As the girls grew up, Nanny May had become so much more to them all: confidant, advocate, comforter and friend. Martha cannot understand why her daughters are so upset about losing their childhood nanny. Yes, Martha was always in demand as a busy midwife, but that doesn't mean she loved her own children any less. But why don't the girls realise that? And has she left it too late to let them know...?
I loved reading this book, truly beautiful, heartwarming and endearing and I could feel the author's passion for writing coming through on every page. With a running theme about the complicated bonds between women, daughters, mothers and sisters, I really connected with this book and having also read and enjoyed "The Wedding Promise" it was a given that I would love this one too.
If you like modern chick lit with an emotional theme I highly recommend "Letters to My Daughters" it's life affirming, captivating and beautiful to read.
4 stars
Blurb - To sisters Bea, Jeannie and Rose, the death of their beloved childhood nanny is a devastating loss. As the girls grew up, Nanny May had become so much more to them all: confidant, advocate, comforter and friend. Martha cannot understand why her daughters are so upset about losing their childhood nanny. Yes, Martha was always in demand as a busy midwife, but that doesn't mean she loved her own children any less. But why don't the girls realise that? And has she left it too late to let them know...?
I loved reading this book, truly beautiful, heartwarming and endearing and I could feel the author's passion for writing coming through on every page. With a running theme about the complicated bonds between women, daughters, mothers and sisters, I really connected with this book and having also read and enjoyed "The Wedding Promise" it was a given that I would love this one too.
If you like modern chick lit with an emotional theme I highly recommend "Letters to My Daughters" it's life affirming, captivating and beautiful to read.
4 stars
November 3, 2024
..apie tai, kad meilė į gyvenimą gali ateiti daugybe būdų. Knyga turinti daug gerų įvertinimų, bet man nebuvo vau.. 3 seserys, skirtingos, visos turinčios savo paslapčių, įsitikinimų. Keistokas ir nesuvokiamas mamos požiūris į darbą ir savo vaikus. Įvardinama daug problemų, kurios ir sprendžiamos visoje knygoje. Kas man patiko, tai tėčio vaidmuo. Nuostabus. Suprantantis, užjaučiantis, palaikantis. Tėčio idealas. Tikrai. Būtent jis man ir įsiminė šioje knygoje. Sukrečia autorės liga, likimas, ir kad tai paskutinė jos knyga. Knyga tokia labiau moteriška, vienos šeimos moterų istorija.
🖋️ Žlugusi santuoka išties kaip mirtis.
🖋️ Reikia būti dėkingai už viską, kas gyvenime nuostabu..
🖋️ Gyvenimas trumpas, todėl jokia gėda pakelti rankas ir pasakyti - klausykit, aš norėjau visai ne to.
🖋️ Mudu su tavimi esame iš skirtingų puslapių ir net iš skirtingų knygų.
🖋️ Žlugusi santuoka išties kaip mirtis.
🖋️ Reikia būti dėkingai už viską, kas gyvenime nuostabu..
🖋️ Gyvenimas trumpas, todėl jokia gėda pakelti rankas ir pasakyti - klausykit, aš norėjau visai ne to.
🖋️ Mudu su tavimi esame iš skirtingų puslapių ir net iš skirtingų knygų.
April 23, 2018
I don't know how to even begin to review this book..totally awesome and the fact that Emma was so.ill writing it is inspiring. great storyline. amazing true to life characters this book is a keeper for me fantastic
September 8, 2018
My only previous experience with the novels of Emma Hannigan was in 2014 with the release of The Summer Guest which I found a decent read with a superior plot to most female aimed fluff. I was therefore hopeful of a repeat experience and a warm, insightful and ultimately uplifting in the vein of Maeve Binchy with her final book, Letters to my Daughters. Sadly I found it a disappointing read with the ‘letters’ referred to in the title pretty inconsequential to the actual story and a cast of largely unrealistic characters whom I found difficult to invest in or connect with as their lives are so far removed from reality.
The three Brady girls and devastated by the passing of their childhood nanny who was the linchpin that held the family together and effectively raised them and offered the support, love and understanding that has allowed each to become the independent and successful women they are today. While their mother, Martha, lived for a job that placed her at the heart of the community as a midwife and found meaning through supporting ‘her mothers’, it was Nanny May who nurtured her own children; forty-year-old Beatrice and thirty-eight-year-old twins Jeannie and Rose. Still struggling with the idea of retirement after having relocated from Pebble Bay, Dublin to rural Connemara in the west of Ireland with husband Jim, Martha remains the impatient and selfish woman she has always been with a difficult relationship with all three of her girls. She is jealous of the adoration they and Jim have for Nanny May, a woman who was not family and in her opinion was compensated very well for the work she performed. Thus when she stumbles upon a bunch of farewell letters that Nanny May has written to Jim, Beatrice, Rose and Jeannie, an act of petty spite sees her remove them before they reach their intended recipients. It is only at the reading of the will, nearly two hundred pages later, that the existence of these letters is revealed to the heartbroken Brady bunch and as Jim stays on in Dublin supporting his daughters, Martha uses his absence to throw herself into resuming her career as a busy midwife.
With each very different daughter facing a crossroads in their lives they know they would value the advice of comforter and confidante, Nanny May, more than ever. As all three prepare to make life-changing decisions they are thrown together and come to strengthen their close bond and treasure the support they provide to each other. In the process they also air their differences with their mother and relieve the tension that has forever blighted their family life. Of the three sisters I found Rose the most sympathetically portrayed with Jeannie a more one dimensional creation and Beatrice a bit too beige to really inspire. Although there is some attempt at justifying Martha’s hands-off approach to raising her three girls with her lack of affection towards them having its roots in her own past I found her jealousy difficult to reconcile with a community midwife who thinks nothing of offering maternal advice and understanding to every expectant mothers.
Letters to my Daughters is an easy, undemanding read but a thin plot and a succession of highly unlikely and very fortuitous events hardly make for a meaningful story. The novel is ridiculously overextended and when Nanny May’s letters are finally aired almost four hundred pages later they are simply succinct summaries of each of the problems that the three sisters have faced in the past year, from marital woes to motherhood and career concerns. The novel is clearly written to a formula and obviously intended to illustrate the importance of making changes in order to live the lives that make us happy and caring less about what other people think and more about our own families. A significant factor that limited my enjoyment was the fact that the Brady family were far from ordinary and a privileged bunch with money to burn who could afford the best, never have to scrimp and sail through most of the “dramas” in their lives without encountering much of an hold-up. All in all a solidly predictable female fiction read with the takeaway being that life is far easier when money is plentiful!
The three Brady girls and devastated by the passing of their childhood nanny who was the linchpin that held the family together and effectively raised them and offered the support, love and understanding that has allowed each to become the independent and successful women they are today. While their mother, Martha, lived for a job that placed her at the heart of the community as a midwife and found meaning through supporting ‘her mothers’, it was Nanny May who nurtured her own children; forty-year-old Beatrice and thirty-eight-year-old twins Jeannie and Rose. Still struggling with the idea of retirement after having relocated from Pebble Bay, Dublin to rural Connemara in the west of Ireland with husband Jim, Martha remains the impatient and selfish woman she has always been with a difficult relationship with all three of her girls. She is jealous of the adoration they and Jim have for Nanny May, a woman who was not family and in her opinion was compensated very well for the work she performed. Thus when she stumbles upon a bunch of farewell letters that Nanny May has written to Jim, Beatrice, Rose and Jeannie, an act of petty spite sees her remove them before they reach their intended recipients. It is only at the reading of the will, nearly two hundred pages later, that the existence of these letters is revealed to the heartbroken Brady bunch and as Jim stays on in Dublin supporting his daughters, Martha uses his absence to throw herself into resuming her career as a busy midwife.
With each very different daughter facing a crossroads in their lives they know they would value the advice of comforter and confidante, Nanny May, more than ever. As all three prepare to make life-changing decisions they are thrown together and come to strengthen their close bond and treasure the support they provide to each other. In the process they also air their differences with their mother and relieve the tension that has forever blighted their family life. Of the three sisters I found Rose the most sympathetically portrayed with Jeannie a more one dimensional creation and Beatrice a bit too beige to really inspire. Although there is some attempt at justifying Martha’s hands-off approach to raising her three girls with her lack of affection towards them having its roots in her own past I found her jealousy difficult to reconcile with a community midwife who thinks nothing of offering maternal advice and understanding to every expectant mothers.
Letters to my Daughters is an easy, undemanding read but a thin plot and a succession of highly unlikely and very fortuitous events hardly make for a meaningful story. The novel is ridiculously overextended and when Nanny May’s letters are finally aired almost four hundred pages later they are simply succinct summaries of each of the problems that the three sisters have faced in the past year, from marital woes to motherhood and career concerns. The novel is clearly written to a formula and obviously intended to illustrate the importance of making changes in order to live the lives that make us happy and caring less about what other people think and more about our own families. A significant factor that limited my enjoyment was the fact that the Brady family were far from ordinary and a privileged bunch with money to burn who could afford the best, never have to scrimp and sail through most of the “dramas” in their lives without encountering much of an hold-up. All in all a solidly predictable female fiction read with the takeaway being that life is far easier when money is plentiful!
March 6, 2018
Beatrice, Jeannie and Rose are close. Rose is the oldest sister, Jeannie and Rose are twins. They've always shared everything with each other, but lately there are things they don't dare to tell anyone. When their beloved Nanny May suddenly dies the sisters are heartbroken. Nanny May was like a mother to them, while their own mother Martha was cold and disinterested. Martha only seems to care about the babies she delivers and never makes the time for anyone besides pregnant women. The sisters struggled with this lack of affection, but Nanny May and their father Jim were always there for them, but now that they need them more than ever the women feel like they are on their own, only are they really?
Nanny May has left letters to Beatrice, Jeannie, Rose and Jim, but they are missing. What happened to the last words they're so desperate to read? Beatrice is a successful business owner, but there's a big wish she'd love to see fulfilled, Jeannie has a husband who adores her, but her vibrant life in LA has suddenly lost its glamour, Rose's daughter doesn't respect her mother enough and Rose's marriage is a facade and Jim is trying to enjoy retirement with Martha, but she isn't as enthusiastic about it as he hoped. Will they find Nanny May's last words of wisdom and will the love they have for one another help them through these difficult times?
Letters to My Daughters is a beautiful emotional story. I was spellbound from the beginning. Beatrice, Jeannie and Rose have never received enough love from their mother. Martha is more interested in her work than in her daughters. She had a difficult upbringing and this damaged her greatly, she isn't warm and maternal and has never understood her own children. Nanny May and Jim have given the girls a happy childhood, so even though their relationship with their mother is strained, they know what it's like to be loved. Each sister struggles with something they can't easily talk about. I was curious to find out more about their journeys and this kept me on the edge of my seat. They are wonderful sweet, smart and special women and I hoped life would bring them some much deserved happiness.
Emma Hannigan's heartwarming writing style made me fall in love with Letters to My Daughters straight away. Her deep and detailed descriptions of feelings, situations and decisions are making her story incredibly interesting to read. There's so much going on and every chapter brings something unexpected and fascinating. I was impressed with Letters to My Daughters straight away and couldn't put it down. I read this mesmerizing book in one sitting. It's a brilliant captivating story about family, unconditional love and being yourself. I loved every single page and highly recommend this amazing novel.
Nanny May has left letters to Beatrice, Jeannie, Rose and Jim, but they are missing. What happened to the last words they're so desperate to read? Beatrice is a successful business owner, but there's a big wish she'd love to see fulfilled, Jeannie has a husband who adores her, but her vibrant life in LA has suddenly lost its glamour, Rose's daughter doesn't respect her mother enough and Rose's marriage is a facade and Jim is trying to enjoy retirement with Martha, but she isn't as enthusiastic about it as he hoped. Will they find Nanny May's last words of wisdom and will the love they have for one another help them through these difficult times?
Letters to My Daughters is a beautiful emotional story. I was spellbound from the beginning. Beatrice, Jeannie and Rose have never received enough love from their mother. Martha is more interested in her work than in her daughters. She had a difficult upbringing and this damaged her greatly, she isn't warm and maternal and has never understood her own children. Nanny May and Jim have given the girls a happy childhood, so even though their relationship with their mother is strained, they know what it's like to be loved. Each sister struggles with something they can't easily talk about. I was curious to find out more about their journeys and this kept me on the edge of my seat. They are wonderful sweet, smart and special women and I hoped life would bring them some much deserved happiness.
Emma Hannigan's heartwarming writing style made me fall in love with Letters to My Daughters straight away. Her deep and detailed descriptions of feelings, situations and decisions are making her story incredibly interesting to read. There's so much going on and every chapter brings something unexpected and fascinating. I was impressed with Letters to My Daughters straight away and couldn't put it down. I read this mesmerizing book in one sitting. It's a brilliant captivating story about family, unconditional love and being yourself. I loved every single page and highly recommend this amazing novel.
February 23, 2018
Another wonderful five star read by Emma Hannigan . I’m so sad that this will be Emma’s final book 😢😢
June 23, 2023
LT/EN
Tai knyga, kuri sugebės paliesti visus skaitytojus, o ir joje sudėti personažai atras kelią į visų širdis.
Mane labiausiai palietė Rouzės istorija. Skaitant, ji po truputuką skaldė širdį ir kartu taip šildė.. mane žavėjo Rouzės stiprybė, pozityvumas, kova, net jos palūžimai suteikė jai patrauklumo. Ji buvo taip realistiškai nupiešta, tokia tikra ir tokia moteriška.
Visa šeimos istorija, rodos paparasta, bet kartu turi kažką ypatingo. Labai patiko kaip autorė išrišo veikėjų gyvenimus ir labiausiai sužavėjo natūraliai susiformavę išsiskyrimai – jie buvo brandūs ir kai kurie labai taikūs.
Tikrai nemeluosiu, kad sėdėjau ir ašarojau ją skaitant, bet jautrumo joje buvo tikrai nemažai. Knygoje buvo jaučiama daug susitaikymo epizodų – manau autorė su paskutiniąja knyga norėjo tai perduoti ir savo skaitytojams.
Vis paerzindavo tik viena – gramatinės klaidos lietuviškame vertime.
------------------------------------------------------
This is the book that will touch every reader in its own way and each character in a book will affect and inspire.
Rose’s story was closest to my heart and that’s why it broke mine piece by piece. I was amazed by Roses strength, positivity, fight. Even her heartbreaks and falls have given her spotlight. In my opinion, she was true heroine – affectionate, amicable, benevolent – so feminine.
The whole story of a family seems ordinary, yet unusual. I loved how author have entangled everyones lifes and most impressive was the breakups – so mature, peaceful and natural.
I wont lie, the book didn’t draw me to uncontrollable weeping, but surely enough – there is plenty of sensitivity in it.
Another thing I noticed was that book is filled with acceptance episodes, which I think was authors way of closing her life book with her last piece of work.
Absolutely worth the read.
Tai knyga, kuri sugebės paliesti visus skaitytojus, o ir joje sudėti personažai atras kelią į visų širdis.
Mane labiausiai palietė Rouzės istorija. Skaitant, ji po truputuką skaldė širdį ir kartu taip šildė.. mane žavėjo Rouzės stiprybė, pozityvumas, kova, net jos palūžimai suteikė jai patrauklumo. Ji buvo taip realistiškai nupiešta, tokia tikra ir tokia moteriška.
Visa šeimos istorija, rodos paparasta, bet kartu turi kažką ypatingo. Labai patiko kaip autorė išrišo veikėjų gyvenimus ir labiausiai sužavėjo natūraliai susiformavę išsiskyrimai – jie buvo brandūs ir kai kurie labai taikūs.
Tikrai nemeluosiu, kad sėdėjau ir ašarojau ją skaitant, bet jautrumo joje buvo tikrai nemažai. Knygoje buvo jaučiama daug susitaikymo epizodų – manau autorė su paskutiniąja knyga norėjo tai perduoti ir savo skaitytojams.
Vis paerzindavo tik viena – gramatinės klaidos lietuviškame vertime.
------------------------------------------------------
This is the book that will touch every reader in its own way and each character in a book will affect and inspire.
Rose’s story was closest to my heart and that’s why it broke mine piece by piece. I was amazed by Roses strength, positivity, fight. Even her heartbreaks and falls have given her spotlight. In my opinion, she was true heroine – affectionate, amicable, benevolent – so feminine.
The whole story of a family seems ordinary, yet unusual. I loved how author have entangled everyones lifes and most impressive was the breakups – so mature, peaceful and natural.
I wont lie, the book didn’t draw me to uncontrollable weeping, but surely enough – there is plenty of sensitivity in it.
Another thing I noticed was that book is filled with acceptance episodes, which I think was authors way of closing her life book with her last piece of work.
Absolutely worth the read.
February 19, 2018
Loved this book, sad to think this is the last book she will write, will definitely be reading more of her books
August 19, 2021
Esu jau ne kartą ir ne du minėjusi, kad man knygos apie šeimą yra pačios įdomiausios. Kiekviena šeima yra tokia skirtinga, kad nors kai kuriuos dalykus gali ir numanyti, vis tiek susimąstau, kad va... čia pasimokysiu šito, o čia ano. Imdama šį romaną į rankas tikėjausi nepaprastai graudžios istorijos, daug gyvenimo pamokų, jautrių veikėjų ir daug šilumos. Ir viskas pasisuko kiek netikėtai, taip netikėtai, kad manyje prabudo žmogus, koks buvo prabudęs skaitant kitą knygą prieš kelis mėnesius.
Trys seserys išsibarsčiusios po pasaulį, kiekviena iš jų su savo skirtingu požiūriu į gyvenimą. Džinė susituokusi su plastikos chirurgu ir gyvena Kalifornijoje, Rouzė turi paauglę dukrą ir gyvena nelaimingoje santuokoje, o Beatrisė turi šunį ir vestuvinių salonų verslą, jai puikiai sekasi. Gyventų jos ramų gyvenimą, tačiau miršta jų vaikystės auklė Mėja ir palieka testamentą. Trys dukterys, jų tėvas ir Rouzės dukra susiburia kartu ir sužino apie laiškus, kurie mįslingai dingo, nors visi skaitytojai jau pirmame skyriuje sužino, kad juos paėme ne kas kitas, o mama Marta.
Ūch, prisimenu save, kai skaičiau Taros Westover „Apšviestoji“ ir mintyse pagalvojau labai labai blogų dalykų... slapta tikėjausi, kad Taros tėvas mirs. Užsimuš avarijoje. Ar dar kas jam nutiks. Skaitydama šį romaną to paties tikėjausi nutiksiant Martai... Nežinau, ką tai pasako apie mane, kaip apie žmogų, nes šiaip aš niekada blogo niekam nelinkiu, bet čia personažas, toks škykštus ir visiems kenkiantis... lyg parazitas, ėda ir ėda... visą knygą galvojau, svarsčiau, iš kur tokių žmonių atsiranda? Liūdna vaikystė? Pati pažįstu žmonių, kurie vaikystėje kentėjo nuo tėvų, bet patys taip nesielgia. Pasimoko kai kurie žmonės, kai kurie ne.
Marta buvo ta veikėja, kuriai neįtiko niekas, ji nemokėjo pasakyti gražaus žodžio, ji kankinosi, kai reikėjo auginti vaikus, o po to pavydėjo vaikų meilės auklei, jai reikėjo nuolatinio garbinimo (nors nebuvo už ką) ir ji dirbo akušere visą gyvenimą. Priimdinėjo naujagimius ir gelbėjo gimdyves. Koks kontrastas – rūpinasi svetimais vaikais, o savus palieka. Ir taip vyksta nuolat, ne vieną ir ne du kartus. „Jai manęs reikia.“ – lyg savai dukrai gali reikėti mažiau. Skaičiau, pykau, iš dalies supratau, bet vis tiek pyktis atslūgo sunkiai.
Šiaip romanas kaip romanas – visi turi savų paslapčių, visi vieni su kitais nesikalba ir taip prisidaro dar daugiau problemų. Vienos šeimos istorija, nebuvo nieko itin netikėto, graudintis irgi nesigraudinau (o tai keista, man mažai reikia). Vis tiek istoriją suskaičiau su malonumu, įdomiai sudėliotas siužetas, vietomis painoka, bet juk tam smegenys ir skirtos, kartais pamąstyt. Moteriška, vietomis šilta ir jauki, kitomis jau visai atvirkščiai... bus vietos pasipiktinti, ir nusišypsoti. Subalansuota, kad neatrodytų, jog viskas čia tik negerai.
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Leidyklos dovana.
Trys seserys išsibarsčiusios po pasaulį, kiekviena iš jų su savo skirtingu požiūriu į gyvenimą. Džinė susituokusi su plastikos chirurgu ir gyvena Kalifornijoje, Rouzė turi paauglę dukrą ir gyvena nelaimingoje santuokoje, o Beatrisė turi šunį ir vestuvinių salonų verslą, jai puikiai sekasi. Gyventų jos ramų gyvenimą, tačiau miršta jų vaikystės auklė Mėja ir palieka testamentą. Trys dukterys, jų tėvas ir Rouzės dukra susiburia kartu ir sužino apie laiškus, kurie mįslingai dingo, nors visi skaitytojai jau pirmame skyriuje sužino, kad juos paėme ne kas kitas, o mama Marta.
Ūch, prisimenu save, kai skaičiau Taros Westover „Apšviestoji“ ir mintyse pagalvojau labai labai blogų dalykų... slapta tikėjausi, kad Taros tėvas mirs. Užsimuš avarijoje. Ar dar kas jam nutiks. Skaitydama šį romaną to paties tikėjausi nutiksiant Martai... Nežinau, ką tai pasako apie mane, kaip apie žmogų, nes šiaip aš niekada blogo niekam nelinkiu, bet čia personažas, toks škykštus ir visiems kenkiantis... lyg parazitas, ėda ir ėda... visą knygą galvojau, svarsčiau, iš kur tokių žmonių atsiranda? Liūdna vaikystė? Pati pažįstu žmonių, kurie vaikystėje kentėjo nuo tėvų, bet patys taip nesielgia. Pasimoko kai kurie žmonės, kai kurie ne.
Marta buvo ta veikėja, kuriai neįtiko niekas, ji nemokėjo pasakyti gražaus žodžio, ji kankinosi, kai reikėjo auginti vaikus, o po to pavydėjo vaikų meilės auklei, jai reikėjo nuolatinio garbinimo (nors nebuvo už ką) ir ji dirbo akušere visą gyvenimą. Priimdinėjo naujagimius ir gelbėjo gimdyves. Koks kontrastas – rūpinasi svetimais vaikais, o savus palieka. Ir taip vyksta nuolat, ne vieną ir ne du kartus. „Jai manęs reikia.“ – lyg savai dukrai gali reikėti mažiau. Skaičiau, pykau, iš dalies supratau, bet vis tiek pyktis atslūgo sunkiai.
Šiaip romanas kaip romanas – visi turi savų paslapčių, visi vieni su kitais nesikalba ir taip prisidaro dar daugiau problemų. Vienos šeimos istorija, nebuvo nieko itin netikėto, graudintis irgi nesigraudinau (o tai keista, man mažai reikia). Vis tiek istoriją suskaičiau su malonumu, įdomiai sudėliotas siužetas, vietomis painoka, bet juk tam smegenys ir skirtos, kartais pamąstyt. Moteriška, vietomis šilta ir jauki, kitomis jau visai atvirkščiai... bus vietos pasipiktinti, ir nusišypsoti. Subalansuota, kad neatrodytų, jog viskas čia tik negerai.
Susitikime instagrame:
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September 27, 2018
I got this book as a present and thought to give it a try. I understand it was the last one written by the author, during hard times, however, I can't consider it a good book just because of it. This book gives chick lit a really bad name, there are amazing chick lit authors out there, like Marian Keyes, who don't hide bad writing behind this lit category. The dialogues were appalling, so fake and empty, the story line cheap and the letters... soap opera at its worst. Last but not least, this book shows how important it is to not tell, but to show.
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July 6, 2023Pastaruoju metu vis nusiviliu šeimyniniais romanais tai ir su šituo kažkaip delsiau. Bet tragiška rašytojos lemtis užgraužė sąžinę ir pasiėmiau knygą į rankas. Emma Hannigan ilgai kovojo su vėžiu, kuris pernai ją įveikė. „Laiškai mano dukroms“ – paskutinė rašytojos knygas, kuria uždirbti pinigai buvo skirti sergantiesiems onkologinėmis ligomis. Esu jautri, faktas, tad tokios žinio laimėjo prieš baimę nusivilti ir čiupau knygą skaityti.
Beatrisė, Rouzė ir Džinė, trys sesersys, augusios nieko nestokojusioje šeimoje. Materialių dalykų joms netrūko niekada, o štai ryšio su motina – visados. Jų mama – pasišventusi akušerė, pati augusi su šalta ir jokio švelnumo nepuoselėjusia motina, nuosaviems vaikams didžiulio atsidavimo niekada nejautė. Jai užteko žinoti, kad dukros saugios, šiltai gyvena ir jos sąžinė būdavo rami. Sr vaikams to užtenka? Žinoma ne. Visą kitą, taip reikalingą rūpestį, mergaitėms dovanojo jų auklė Mėja. Savo šeimos neturinti moteris, visą savo gyvenimą paskyrė šioms trims mergaitėms, o pastarosios jai atsimokėjo atsidavimu ir nuoširdžia meilė. Nuo jų vaikystės prabėgo jau daug metų. Beatrisė – išsiskyrusi nuotakų suknelių parduotuvės šeimininkė, Rouzė – paauglės mama, išgyvenanti santuokos krizę, o Džinė – plastinių operacijų paliesta trofėjinė žmona. Moterys skirtingos ir išsiblaškiusios po pasaulį, tačiau į gimtą miestą visas vėl suveda nelaimė: mirė auklė Mėja. Grįžusios, jos kartu su tėvu, išgyvena mirtį, tačiau jų mamai tai visisiškai nė motais. Savo šaltumu ji ir toliau tolina atstumą nuo dukterų, kurios ir jai nepasakoja, savo paslapčių. O kiekviena iš jų saugo jų ne vieną.
Labiausiai šioje knygoje man patiko tai, jog ji nebuvo nusaldinta. Autorė įvykiams leido klostytis gyvenimiškai, nepritempinėdama rožinių scenarijų. Bijojau, kad viskas baigsis holivudiškai nuspėjamai, tačiau pabaigus knygą paplojau Emmai: nepersistengė pataikaudama skaitytojui! Nebuvo tai iš padų verčianti istorija, bet nebuvo ir taip, jog skaitydama nuobodžiaučiau. Ji tokia per vidurį: skaityti buvo smagu, tačiau malonumas toks veinkartinis. Nebus ta knyga, kurią ar kurios veikėjus prisiminsiu su nostalgija. Įtariu, jog atostogų metu ar ieškant neįpareigijančio, tačiau nenuvalkioto skaitino, „Laiškai mano dukroms“ visai gerai pasitarnautų. O šiaip, jei mėgstat tas šeimynines istorijas ir vien jomis gyvenat, nepraeikit pro šalį. Malonumo rasite.
Beatrisė, Rouzė ir Džinė, trys sesersys, augusios nieko nestokojusioje šeimoje. Materialių dalykų joms netrūko niekada, o štai ryšio su motina – visados. Jų mama – pasišventusi akušerė, pati augusi su šalta ir jokio švelnumo nepuoselėjusia motina, nuosaviems vaikams didžiulio atsidavimo niekada nejautė. Jai užteko žinoti, kad dukros saugios, šiltai gyvena ir jos sąžinė būdavo rami. Sr vaikams to užtenka? Žinoma ne. Visą kitą, taip reikalingą rūpestį, mergaitėms dovanojo jų auklė Mėja. Savo šeimos neturinti moteris, visą savo gyvenimą paskyrė šioms trims mergaitėms, o pastarosios jai atsimokėjo atsidavimu ir nuoširdžia meilė. Nuo jų vaikystės prabėgo jau daug metų. Beatrisė – išsiskyrusi nuotakų suknelių parduotuvės šeimininkė, Rouzė – paauglės mama, išgyvenanti santuokos krizę, o Džinė – plastinių operacijų paliesta trofėjinė žmona. Moterys skirtingos ir išsiblaškiusios po pasaulį, tačiau į gimtą miestą visas vėl suveda nelaimė: mirė auklė Mėja. Grįžusios, jos kartu su tėvu, išgyvena mirtį, tačiau jų mamai tai visisiškai nė motais. Savo šaltumu ji ir toliau tolina atstumą nuo dukterų, kurios ir jai nepasakoja, savo paslapčių. O kiekviena iš jų saugo jų ne vieną.
Labiausiai šioje knygoje man patiko tai, jog ji nebuvo nusaldinta. Autorė įvykiams leido klostytis gyvenimiškai, nepritempinėdama rožinių scenarijų. Bijojau, kad viskas baigsis holivudiškai nuspėjamai, tačiau pabaigus knygą paplojau Emmai: nepersistengė pataikaudama skaitytojui! Nebuvo tai iš padų verčianti istorija, bet nebuvo ir taip, jog skaitydama nuobodžiaučiau. Ji tokia per vidurį: skaityti buvo smagu, tačiau malonumas toks veinkartinis. Nebus ta knyga, kurią ar kurios veikėjus prisiminsiu su nostalgija. Įtariu, jog atostogų metu ar ieškant neįpareigijančio, tačiau nenuvalkioto skaitino, „Laiškai mano dukroms“ visai gerai pasitarnautų. O šiaip, jei mėgstat tas šeimynines istorijas ir vien jomis gyvenat, nepraeikit pro šalį. Malonumo rasite.
April 18, 2018
This was such a beautiful book, and the reading of it was made even more poignant by the knowledge that Emma Hannigan was so very ill when she wrote it. I have read several of Emma's books, including Talk to the Headscarf, which made me realise that, as well as a gifted storyteller, Emma was also a beautiful lady with a very big heart and someone who never, ever, quit. I raise a glass of something nice in her honour.
Martha and Jim have three daughters, all quite different, all successful in their own ways. Martha was a career woman, absolutely wrapped up in her career as a midwife, thus the nanny, Nanny May, pretty much raised Martha and Jim's daughters. When Nanny May passes away, she leaves letters for them, which no-one can find. Do they really NEED those letters though, to make the right decisions in their lives, going forward?
This really was a beautifully told story, told sympathetically from all the characters points of view, including the quite often terse and opinionated Martha. I loved all of them, but especially Jim, because he reminds me of my own dad and the relationship I have with him. I liked the fact that this was a realistic and modern story too.
Loved this book, well worth getting :)
Martha and Jim have three daughters, all quite different, all successful in their own ways. Martha was a career woman, absolutely wrapped up in her career as a midwife, thus the nanny, Nanny May, pretty much raised Martha and Jim's daughters. When Nanny May passes away, she leaves letters for them, which no-one can find. Do they really NEED those letters though, to make the right decisions in their lives, going forward?
This really was a beautifully told story, told sympathetically from all the characters points of view, including the quite often terse and opinionated Martha. I loved all of them, but especially Jim, because he reminds me of my own dad and the relationship I have with him. I liked the fact that this was a realistic and modern story too.
Loved this book, well worth getting :)
June 9, 2018
What can I say about this book I LOVED ,LOVED ,LOVED it!! I truly didn’t want it to end!!
Martha and Jim have three daughters who are all very different and this book explores all their lives in a way which made me feel like I knew them personally. Martha dedicated her life to her career as a midwife and it was left to Nanny May to raise the girls and give them the mothers love they needed. When Nanny May passes away she leaves four letters one for each of the girls and one for Jim,
The letters disappear. Will the letters be found? What has Granny May written in the letters? These questions kept me turning the pages wanting to find out what would unfold.
This beautiful emotional story had me spellbound and I was routing for the characters to find happiness. I could relate fully with them and found parallels to people I personally know and love.
What shone through in the story is life is short and we all should find happiness when we can!! This is even more true as the author Emma Hannigan has passed away. Her writing and understanding of families is first class in this book and her love of writing clearly shone throughout the book .
I will be looking out for Emma’s previous novels. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! It is a beautiful , emotional and life affirming read . Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this five star book .
Martha and Jim have three daughters who are all very different and this book explores all their lives in a way which made me feel like I knew them personally. Martha dedicated her life to her career as a midwife and it was left to Nanny May to raise the girls and give them the mothers love they needed. When Nanny May passes away she leaves four letters one for each of the girls and one for Jim,
The letters disappear. Will the letters be found? What has Granny May written in the letters? These questions kept me turning the pages wanting to find out what would unfold.
This beautiful emotional story had me spellbound and I was routing for the characters to find happiness. I could relate fully with them and found parallels to people I personally know and love.
What shone through in the story is life is short and we all should find happiness when we can!! This is even more true as the author Emma Hannigan has passed away. Her writing and understanding of families is first class in this book and her love of writing clearly shone throughout the book .
I will be looking out for Emma’s previous novels. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! It is a beautiful , emotional and life affirming read . Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this five star book .
June 30, 2022
Nuostabi, grazi, jautri, gyvenimiska istorija. Labai labai patiko 💗 keista tik kad isleista tik viena sios autores knyga ir dar paskutine 🤔
March 10, 2018
Three daughters are struggling when their Nanny dies. They learn she has written each of them a letter but they seem to have disappeared. Along comes Martha, the girls mom, who's a perfect midwife and always ready to run to new mothers at the drop of a hat, but is harsh to her own daughters. The story tells of the girls personal fights but also the fights of their earlier lives where they tried to get their mothers attention and approval. Jim, their dad, is there hero and total opposite to their mom. He encourages the girls and supports them in their dreams.
The book is written with love and compassion and touches many subjects which readers can relate to and probably compare notes to. Emma is, what i like to call a true Irish author. She writes from the heart and touches every reader with her words. A brilliant read which will certainly keep you warm on the cold wet days
The book is written with love and compassion and touches many subjects which readers can relate to and probably compare notes to. Emma is, what i like to call a true Irish author. She writes from the heart and touches every reader with her words. A brilliant read which will certainly keep you warm on the cold wet days
March 22, 2018
This is a book that will pull at your emotions especially with the knowledge that Emma Hannigan is no longer with us and this book was her last, I can say I'm terribly sad because she was such a fabulous and inspiring woman who didn't let cancer stop her doing what she loved but her time came and she's no longer here. This book is utterly brilliant like all her others and I'm sad to say there are no more to read. Love and Light Emma. All my love goes to her family who must be incredibly sad at this time.
the book; we have a family that is mother Martha who is a midwife and has been forever. Father Jim, who made q good business from bespoke furniture. they had three children Beatrice and twin daughter Rose and Jeannie. Jeannie lives the life of luxury in LA. the others all live around Dublin. but in the times when they were young they had hired help named Nanny May and she's recently died and everyone is extremely sad all but Martha. they are all asked to attend the will reading but during this the family realise the letters she wrote them are missing but why would anyone steal them and why would that do that? Jim and the girls cannot fathom this out and it's hurting them because it's what they need to know.
Martha and Jim have retired and have left the city life for pebble bay but Martha is going nuts doing nothing and cannot stand the retired life Jim is loving so much. she helps a girl who is in labour and that makes her look into a future delivering babies in the new town....
Jeannie has a huge problem of whose the daddy with her pregnancy so she goes to Ireland to hide the bump and put her husband off the scent... wait till you read why. shocking. lol
Rose runs the bespoke furniture business her dad made with her husband Martin but that sucker has just walked and left her alone with their teenage daughter Ali... things are traumatic and she's left to look after her alien bearing all the bad news and taking the blame for it all.. Rose expects no hugs from their mother because she's so cold towards the girls.
Beatrice has realised she's happy in business and very successful wedding dress boutiques. not happy in love, she was married to Davy but she had to break up with him because he didn't do it for her and her mother couldn't get over it. Bea realised she wants a baby but how can she do this alone? so she goes to a clinic about IVF to do it alone, why not? she's done everything else so far. Martha is disgraced by the whom thing. the girls parents happy with Martha and neither is Jim...
by the end of the book the whole family has changed shape and form with new partners, babies, new romances, separations it's such a heart string story. I couldn't put it down. I love to share my books but this is hardvto give away knowing it's her last book. but it's only a book and I want to share her excellent novel.
Love and Light Emma. Brilliant read, everyone who surrounded you will be so proud.
the book; we have a family that is mother Martha who is a midwife and has been forever. Father Jim, who made q good business from bespoke furniture. they had three children Beatrice and twin daughter Rose and Jeannie. Jeannie lives the life of luxury in LA. the others all live around Dublin. but in the times when they were young they had hired help named Nanny May and she's recently died and everyone is extremely sad all but Martha. they are all asked to attend the will reading but during this the family realise the letters she wrote them are missing but why would anyone steal them and why would that do that? Jim and the girls cannot fathom this out and it's hurting them because it's what they need to know.
Martha and Jim have retired and have left the city life for pebble bay but Martha is going nuts doing nothing and cannot stand the retired life Jim is loving so much. she helps a girl who is in labour and that makes her look into a future delivering babies in the new town....
Jeannie has a huge problem of whose the daddy with her pregnancy so she goes to Ireland to hide the bump and put her husband off the scent... wait till you read why. shocking. lol
Rose runs the bespoke furniture business her dad made with her husband Martin but that sucker has just walked and left her alone with their teenage daughter Ali... things are traumatic and she's left to look after her alien bearing all the bad news and taking the blame for it all.. Rose expects no hugs from their mother because she's so cold towards the girls.
Beatrice has realised she's happy in business and very successful wedding dress boutiques. not happy in love, she was married to Davy but she had to break up with him because he didn't do it for her and her mother couldn't get over it. Bea realised she wants a baby but how can she do this alone? so she goes to a clinic about IVF to do it alone, why not? she's done everything else so far. Martha is disgraced by the whom thing. the girls parents happy with Martha and neither is Jim...
by the end of the book the whole family has changed shape and form with new partners, babies, new romances, separations it's such a heart string story. I couldn't put it down. I love to share my books but this is hardvto give away knowing it's her last book. but it's only a book and I want to share her excellent novel.
Love and Light Emma. Brilliant read, everyone who surrounded you will be so proud.
November 19, 2025
It took me a while to get into this book, it's not that I didn't like it, I just didn't take to the characters straight away so I persevered in high hopes of their improvement. As one twin of three sisters, I wanted to relate to these Brady women but I couldn't, they were too rich, too close, too crazy, too different and worst of all, way too judgemental against their mother. On the contrary, their father Jim could do no wrong. I'm unashamedly guilty of paternal idolisation myself but I could certainly make a long list of Jim's transgressions over the years which are seemingly oblivious to everyone else.
Martha the mum, was portrayed as cold, stern, false, vindictive and neglectful to her three children. Despite this, she was a very well respected, kind and hardworking midwife. It really bothered me that she was vilified, especially for having a fulfilling career, her family showed no interest in it and never more than superficially considered her difficult upbringing as a factor in her demeanour. She got no credit for being constantly on call to save lives, definitely a real element of mysogyny here, a man would never be subject to such criticism for not being at home with his children. No, he'd be lauded by society, as vacuous Jeannie's husband Nick surely would be.
I'm probably in the minority here but I struggled to get on side with the impeccable 'Nanny May', a mother substitute, central tenet and lovingly meddlesome voice from beyond the grave. It's no wonder Martha didn't get a proper look in with this benevolently perfect woman always undermining her and hustling in on her family, husband included but besides that a godsend in many ways! Irksomely, she was also the letter writer to 'my daughters' so the whole premise of the book was a misnomer!
Ultimately, I was disappointed that Emma Hannigan didn't fully reconcile Martha with the family although I was glad of the apparent happy endings!
Martha the mum, was portrayed as cold, stern, false, vindictive and neglectful to her three children. Despite this, she was a very well respected, kind and hardworking midwife. It really bothered me that she was vilified, especially for having a fulfilling career, her family showed no interest in it and never more than superficially considered her difficult upbringing as a factor in her demeanour. She got no credit for being constantly on call to save lives, definitely a real element of mysogyny here, a man would never be subject to such criticism for not being at home with his children. No, he'd be lauded by society, as vacuous Jeannie's husband Nick surely would be.
I'm probably in the minority here but I struggled to get on side with the impeccable 'Nanny May', a mother substitute, central tenet and lovingly meddlesome voice from beyond the grave. It's no wonder Martha didn't get a proper look in with this benevolently perfect woman always undermining her and hustling in on her family, husband included but besides that a godsend in many ways! Irksomely, she was also the letter writer to 'my daughters' so the whole premise of the book was a misnomer!
Ultimately, I was disappointed that Emma Hannigan didn't fully reconcile Martha with the family although I was glad of the apparent happy endings!
January 2, 2024
Puiki knyga
November 19, 2019
Iš tiesų tikrai ne visad detaliai (daugiau nei ant viršelio parašyta) pasiskaitau apie autorių pradėjus skaityti knygą. Šį kartą suintrigavo, kodėl rašytoja mirė tokia jauna (berods 45 m.). Taigi panaršius, sužinojau, kad E. Hannigan įveikė krūties ir kiaušidžių vėžys ir ji turėjo paveldimą krūties ir kiaušidžių sindromą (BRCA1 geno mutaciją). Na, o tokios pacientės yra viena iš mano darbo dalių. Jeigu ne ši detalė, turbūt nebūčiau pabaigus skaityti romano.
O istorija pasakojama apie šeimą, o tiksliau jos moteris ir jų likimus, apie šeimos narių ryšį. Visko nutinka trims seserims, bet turbūt svarbiausias yra jų santykis su motina, Marta. Pati Marta buvo auginta labai šaltai, patyrė smurtą iš savo motinos. Ir ji pati nesugebėjo rasti ryšio su dukromis. Joms motiną atstojo auklė Mėja, kuri pačioje romano pradžioje numiršta, bet vis sklando veiksmų sūkūryje. Marta labiau atsidavusi darbui negu šeimai.
Rašytoja akcentuoja, kad šeima yra ramybės uostas, kur galima kreiptis, kai liūdna, kai ištinka negandos. Labai gražiai aprašytas tėvo ir dukrų bei seserų santykiai. Na, ir motina savotiškai mylima bei mylinti. Galbūt tai signalas ir man skirti duagiau laiko šeimai, nes juk darbas vieną dieną baigiasi, o šiema šalia lieka amžinai.
Iš tiesų romano veiksmas kiek lėtokas, pasakojant kiekvieno veikėjo istoriją. Taigi reikėjo laiko, kad mane sudomintų. Iš visos pagarbos knygos autorei susikaupiau ir skaičiau toliau. Na, o į pabaiga pasirodė visai miela istorija.
Knygų Dama savo apžvalgoje labai gyrė pabaigą. Pritariu, kad buvo nepataikaujama skaitytojui, ir kartu pabaigtas romanas tikrai ne banaliai. Vis dėl to labai daug šiame romane šviesos. Galbūt visai istorijai turėjo įtakos ir rašytojos būsena bei didelis šeimos palaikymas paskutinėmis dienomis.
Labai smalsu perskaityti pirmąją E. Hanningan romaną "Designers gene" apie tai, kaip veikėjai buvo nustatyta BRCA1 geno mutacija. Deja, kol kas romanas tik anglų kalba.
O istorija pasakojama apie šeimą, o tiksliau jos moteris ir jų likimus, apie šeimos narių ryšį. Visko nutinka trims seserims, bet turbūt svarbiausias yra jų santykis su motina, Marta. Pati Marta buvo auginta labai šaltai, patyrė smurtą iš savo motinos. Ir ji pati nesugebėjo rasti ryšio su dukromis. Joms motiną atstojo auklė Mėja, kuri pačioje romano pradžioje numiršta, bet vis sklando veiksmų sūkūryje. Marta labiau atsidavusi darbui negu šeimai.
Rašytoja akcentuoja, kad šeima yra ramybės uostas, kur galima kreiptis, kai liūdna, kai ištinka negandos. Labai gražiai aprašytas tėvo ir dukrų bei seserų santykiai. Na, ir motina savotiškai mylima bei mylinti. Galbūt tai signalas ir man skirti duagiau laiko šeimai, nes juk darbas vieną dieną baigiasi, o šiema šalia lieka amžinai.
Iš tiesų romano veiksmas kiek lėtokas, pasakojant kiekvieno veikėjo istoriją. Taigi reikėjo laiko, kad mane sudomintų. Iš visos pagarbos knygos autorei susikaupiau ir skaičiau toliau. Na, o į pabaiga pasirodė visai miela istorija.
Knygų Dama savo apžvalgoje labai gyrė pabaigą. Pritariu, kad buvo nepataikaujama skaitytojui, ir kartu pabaigtas romanas tikrai ne banaliai. Vis dėl to labai daug šiame romane šviesos. Galbūt visai istorijai turėjo įtakos ir rašytojos būsena bei didelis šeimos palaikymas paskutinėmis dienomis.
Labai smalsu perskaityti pirmąją E. Hanningan romaną "Designers gene" apie tai, kaip veikėjai buvo nustatyta BRCA1 geno mutacija. Deja, kol kas romanas tik anglų kalba.
June 4, 2021
Mano nuomonė: Emma Hannigan (1972–2018) – airių rašytoja, daugelio bestselerių autorė, mirusi po ilgos kovos su vėžiu. Rašymas jai tapo terapija ir atspara gyvenime; gal todėl jos romanai suteikė šilumą ir paguodą tokiai daugybei moterų. „Laiškai mano dukroms" – paskutinė jos knyga.
„Laiškai mano dukroms" – šilta, emocinga ir jautri istorija apie vienos šeimos moteris. Apie dukteris, seseris ir motinas. Apie tai, kad kraujo ryšys ir šeima gyvenime yra patys svarbiausi. Ir apie tai, kad meilė į gyvenimą gali ateiti daugybe būdų.
Knygai skyriau 4 žvaigždutes, nes buvo viena vieta, kur man užkliuvo ir labai „pagadino“ knygą. Viena iš seserų grįžta aplankyti savo šeimos yra yra neščia paskutines dienas. Jos vyras daktaras, mama akušerė, kita sesuo gimdžiusi pati.... Ir niekas neįtaria, kad moteris laukiasi 😊 Come on guys, kelintame amžiuje mes gyvename.
Na, kaip aš sakau, knygose ir filmuose gali būti visko. Todėl daug nesikabinėju ir nuoširdžiai rekomenduoju paskaityti. Nuoga tiesa apie gyvenimą. Tikra, neįkyri, lengvai skaitoma ir priverčia susimąstyti istorija.
„Laiškai mano dukroms" – šilta, emocinga ir jautri istorija apie vienos šeimos moteris. Apie dukteris, seseris ir motinas. Apie tai, kad kraujo ryšys ir šeima gyvenime yra patys svarbiausi. Ir apie tai, kad meilė į gyvenimą gali ateiti daugybe būdų.
Knygai skyriau 4 žvaigždutes, nes buvo viena vieta, kur man užkliuvo ir labai „pagadino“ knygą. Viena iš seserų grįžta aplankyti savo šeimos yra yra neščia paskutines dienas. Jos vyras daktaras, mama akušerė, kita sesuo gimdžiusi pati.... Ir niekas neįtaria, kad moteris laukiasi 😊 Come on guys, kelintame amžiuje mes gyvename.
Na, kaip aš sakau, knygose ir filmuose gali būti visko. Todėl daug nesikabinėju ir nuoširdžiai rekomenduoju paskaityti. Nuoga tiesa apie gyvenimą. Tikra, neįkyri, lengvai skaitoma ir priverčia susimąstyti istorija.
August 20, 2021
I came across this in my local Library. I gave this a 7/10 or 3.5 stars.
This is the second book by Emma Hannigan that I have read, back in 2019 I read and reviewed The Wedding Promise. At the time I was led to believe that it was to have been her last book, however she was able to write this one prior to passing away in 2018 and the book was printed after her death. I have also found out that there was another book of hers printed after her passing, The Gift of Friends.
This was a gentle tale about three sisters, that found it hard coming to terms with the death of Nanny May who looked after them as children. They still had connections to her as they became adults and often used her for advice and remained friends, they were more attached to Nanny May than they were to their own Mother. Their mother Martha seemed to have more time for her work and career as a midwife, but as a working Mum it doesn't mean that you love your family less. Sometimes both parents need to work for many reasons.
I quite enjoyed this story, but found that it rambled on quite a lot and the gist of the story could have been conveyed as easily with less pages. This hasn't put reading more books by her, as there are still quite a few that I haven't read yet.
This is the second book by Emma Hannigan that I have read, back in 2019 I read and reviewed The Wedding Promise. At the time I was led to believe that it was to have been her last book, however she was able to write this one prior to passing away in 2018 and the book was printed after her death. I have also found out that there was another book of hers printed after her passing, The Gift of Friends.
This was a gentle tale about three sisters, that found it hard coming to terms with the death of Nanny May who looked after them as children. They still had connections to her as they became adults and often used her for advice and remained friends, they were more attached to Nanny May than they were to their own Mother. Their mother Martha seemed to have more time for her work and career as a midwife, but as a working Mum it doesn't mean that you love your family less. Sometimes both parents need to work for many reasons.
I quite enjoyed this story, but found that it rambled on quite a lot and the gist of the story could have been conveyed as easily with less pages. This hasn't put reading more books by her, as there are still quite a few that I haven't read yet.
July 7, 2018
I have conflicted feelings about this book. I found it a pretty decent read till I came to final section of the book where the author has written acknowledgements and other related notes. The heartfelt statements made in this section, and the way they were written made the rest of the book pale in comparison for me. This comes with the knowledge that the author passed away earlier this year after multiple battles with cancer.
The story is of a close-knit family of five which does not really include the mother, instead it includes their 'Nanny' May. The three daughters are each battling their own demons but maintain a tenuous hold on their siblings and father. The tale begins with Nanny May's passing and we see how each deals with the situation and their feelings. The parts I liked involved how the sisters and father interact but I found it hard to have any feeling for the mother Martha. She is a pivotal part of the story, the people are who they are only because of her behaviour. Despite being so important, I could neither wholeheartedly dislike her or like her and likewise the treatment by her children towards her ranging from obedient to the downright rude. This conflict ( I need to sympathize with some part of a book in order to be fully vested) did not let me enjoy the book to the extent that I could have. After having read that note by the author though, I think I might appreciate some of her other books more.
For other unrelated reviews: www.superfluousreading.wordpress.com
The story is of a close-knit family of five which does not really include the mother, instead it includes their 'Nanny' May. The three daughters are each battling their own demons but maintain a tenuous hold on their siblings and father. The tale begins with Nanny May's passing and we see how each deals with the situation and their feelings. The parts I liked involved how the sisters and father interact but I found it hard to have any feeling for the mother Martha. She is a pivotal part of the story, the people are who they are only because of her behaviour. Despite being so important, I could neither wholeheartedly dislike her or like her and likewise the treatment by her children towards her ranging from obedient to the downright rude. This conflict ( I need to sympathize with some part of a book in order to be fully vested) did not let me enjoy the book to the extent that I could have. After having read that note by the author though, I think I might appreciate some of her other books more.
For other unrelated reviews: www.superfluousreading.wordpress.com
June 20, 2018
I have always loved this authors books. I was saddened to hear of her death earlier in the year after a long battle with cancer. I have a soft spot for books set in Ireland and this one didn't disappoint. This is a very well crafted family drama - loved the relationship between the sisters. Even Marsha was a bit of a love/hate character. Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this much anticipated title.
July 4, 2021
Lengvas atostogų romanas. Neįtikino Martos personažas. Kaip gal būti moteris atsidavusi visiškai svetimoms gimdyvėms, bet absoliučiai abejinga ir šalta savo dukroms. Taip pat neįtikino istorija apie Džinės nėštumą ir gimdymą. XXI amžius? Žodžiu, greitai perskaičiau, o kiek laiko atsiminsiu - nežinia.
October 27, 2018
Review to follow, when emotions are under control. Love and Light, Emma 💕🌟
January 27, 2020
I'd hate to give it 3 stars but it did drag on and on.....
February 20, 2018
Fantastic my heart broke reading what I know will be my last book by Emma but oh what a good one
March 6, 2018
Another fantastic book from the late Emma Hannigan. I'm so sad that this is the last book from the gorgeous and wonderful Emma Hannigan.
June 27, 2018
I have to admit that, before all the publicity surrounding Emma’s illness last year, she was not an author that had been on my radar and I haven’t read any of her other books. Having finished Letters To My Daughters, I think this is a crying shame because her writing style is warm and charming but also perceptive and beguiling. I’m a huge admirer of a number of Irish writers and I’m ashamed that I haven’t discovered Emma’s work until now. I’m planning on catching up with her back catalogue and I hope that I can contribute something towards giving this book a wide audience in the UK. It certainly deserves it.
This is the story of a family – mother, father and three sisters – growing up in a seaside suburb of Dublin. They are a fairly ordinary family, insofar as any family is ordinary, which of course none of us really are because we all have our own family quirks, anomalies and internal tensions and, whilst these might seem unexciting on the face of things, they are the source of so much fascinating revelations that make up the backbone of great commercial fiction. This family is no different in being very different behind their polite social facade.
Social facades are a big theme in this book. To Martha, the matriarch, what the outside world thinks of her and her family (or, more specifically, the way her family reflects on her) is all consuming, to the detriment of everyone else. Her daughters seem to have been influenced by her behaviour to the point that each of them has acted in a way that panders to an outward perception of how they should behave, rather than being true to themselves. However, the death of their family nanny sets in motion a chain of events that blows their facades apart and is a catalyst for seismic changes in the family structure.
This is a book about the importance of family and relationships and having real love and support in your life. This family, outwardly, seems to have everything you could want but, none of that means anything if your relationships aren’t happy. Being honest with yourself and admitting to yourself and others when things don’t work is a central tenet of the story and the happy ending only comes when everyone stops pretending. It also dwells on the issue of what family bonds are, and do they come from blood or do we find them through love, whatever the source of that love might be. Family is a complicated issue in the modern world and this book explores that subject in an interesting way throughout and over several different story strands.
The characters in this book are all very well drawn and believable. As the eldest of four girls, I was very taken with the relationship between the sisters and how they are all there for each other, no matter what, although there are still things they individually feel they can’t share, due to their own internal hang ups. The relationships were totally authentic to me, reflecting the kind of feelings I have towards my own sisters, to whom I am very close, and this was the part of the book that was most appealing.
Oddly, given she is the hardest character to warm to and understand in the book, Martha is the one is probably most true to herself throughout. She is certainly an extreme personality but the author did a good job of giving her behaviour an emotional grounding that made her slightly more sympathetic than she might have been in less competent hands. I also appreciated the way that everything was not tied up so neat and happy at the conclusion of the book, as life isn’t like that. It is messy and difficult and disappointing and a book that an author wants a reader to believe in should reflect that. This isn’t a fairytale, it’s a slice of life that I savoured to the end.
This book was a warm, easy read that carried me along effortlessly through the pages, buried deep and obliviously as I was in the lives of the protagonists. Given what the author was going through while she wrote it, this is a remarkable feat and added another level of poignancy to the story, which is bittersweet. Despite the ease of reading it, the story was complex and rich and woven through with emotion and is an extremely rewarding read that deserves a wide audience. I hope it gets it.
This is the story of a family – mother, father and three sisters – growing up in a seaside suburb of Dublin. They are a fairly ordinary family, insofar as any family is ordinary, which of course none of us really are because we all have our own family quirks, anomalies and internal tensions and, whilst these might seem unexciting on the face of things, they are the source of so much fascinating revelations that make up the backbone of great commercial fiction. This family is no different in being very different behind their polite social facade.
Social facades are a big theme in this book. To Martha, the matriarch, what the outside world thinks of her and her family (or, more specifically, the way her family reflects on her) is all consuming, to the detriment of everyone else. Her daughters seem to have been influenced by her behaviour to the point that each of them has acted in a way that panders to an outward perception of how they should behave, rather than being true to themselves. However, the death of their family nanny sets in motion a chain of events that blows their facades apart and is a catalyst for seismic changes in the family structure.
This is a book about the importance of family and relationships and having real love and support in your life. This family, outwardly, seems to have everything you could want but, none of that means anything if your relationships aren’t happy. Being honest with yourself and admitting to yourself and others when things don’t work is a central tenet of the story and the happy ending only comes when everyone stops pretending. It also dwells on the issue of what family bonds are, and do they come from blood or do we find them through love, whatever the source of that love might be. Family is a complicated issue in the modern world and this book explores that subject in an interesting way throughout and over several different story strands.
The characters in this book are all very well drawn and believable. As the eldest of four girls, I was very taken with the relationship between the sisters and how they are all there for each other, no matter what, although there are still things they individually feel they can’t share, due to their own internal hang ups. The relationships were totally authentic to me, reflecting the kind of feelings I have towards my own sisters, to whom I am very close, and this was the part of the book that was most appealing.
Oddly, given she is the hardest character to warm to and understand in the book, Martha is the one is probably most true to herself throughout. She is certainly an extreme personality but the author did a good job of giving her behaviour an emotional grounding that made her slightly more sympathetic than she might have been in less competent hands. I also appreciated the way that everything was not tied up so neat and happy at the conclusion of the book, as life isn’t like that. It is messy and difficult and disappointing and a book that an author wants a reader to believe in should reflect that. This isn’t a fairytale, it’s a slice of life that I savoured to the end.
This book was a warm, easy read that carried me along effortlessly through the pages, buried deep and obliviously as I was in the lives of the protagonists. Given what the author was going through while she wrote it, this is a remarkable feat and added another level of poignancy to the story, which is bittersweet. Despite the ease of reading it, the story was complex and rich and woven through with emotion and is an extremely rewarding read that deserves a wide audience. I hope it gets it.
April 20, 2019
This is a well written book, however, I was disappointed, as a feminist, by how negative everyone was towards Martha. I felt quite sorry for her, it seemed as though 'Nanny May' and Jim ganged up against her, subtly undermining her. Oh what a terrible mother, she bought her daughters pretty dresses! (There must be a lot of bad mothers out there). She worked hard, did a demanding job that none of her family respected at all. I couldn't help but compare it to how a man would be thought of if his job was equally demanding, he would be admired. I hoped that by the end of the novel the daughters would have come to appreciate their mother more but it was not to be. Perhaps Rose might start to see her mother in a different light in time. I would alos be interested to know how Bea will juggle motherhood and her business, just a thought. Of course, sadly we will never know.
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