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Mama's Girl
On the streets of Brooklyn in the 1970s, Veronica Chambers mastered the whirling helixes of a double-dutch jump rope with the same finesse she brought to her schoolwork, her often troubled family life, and the demands of being overachieving and underprivileged. Her mother—a Panamanian immigrant—was too often overwhelmed by the task of raising Veronica and her difficult younger brother on her meager secretary's salary to applaud her daughter's achievements. From an early age, Veronica understood that the best she could do for her mother was to be a perfect child—to rewrite her Christmas wish lists to her mother's budget, to look after her brother, to get by on her own. Though her mother seemed to bear out the adage that "black women raise their daughters and mother their sons," Veronica never stopped trying to do more, do better, do it all. And now, as a successful young woman who's achieved more than her mother dared hope for her, she looks back on their mother-daughter bond. The critically acclaimed Mama's Girl is a moving, startlingly honest memoir, in which Chambers shares some important truths about what we all really want from our mothers—and what we can give in return.
208 pages, Paperback
First published June 18, 1996
About the author
Veronica Chambers
65 books284 followersVeronica Chambers is a prolific author, best known for her critically acclaimed memoir, Mama’s Girl, which has been course adopted by hundreds of high schools and colleges throughout the country. The New Yorker called Mama’s Girl “a troubling testament to grit and mother love… one of the finest and most evenhanded in the genre in recent years.” Born in Panama and raised in Brooklyn, Ms. Chambers' work often reflects her Afro-Latina heritage.
Her most recent non-fiction book was Kickboxing Geishas: How Japanese Women are Changing their Nation. Her other non-fiction books include The Joy of Doing Things Badly: A Girl’s Guide to Love, Life, and Foolish Bravery. She has also written more than a dozen books for children, most recently Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa and the body confidence Y/A novel, Plus. Her teen series, Amigas, is a collaboration between Chambers, producer Jane Startz, and Jennifer Lopez.
Veronica spent two seasons as an executive story editor for CW’s hit series Girlfriends, and earned a BET Comedy Award for her script work on that series. She has also written and developed projects for Fox and the N.
Veronica has contributed to several anthologies, including the best-selling Bitch in the House, edited by Cathi Hanuaer, and Mommy Wars, edited by Leslie Morgan Steiner.
A graduate of Simon’s Rock College at Bard, she and her husband have endowed three scholarships at the college in the fields of music and literature. She has been the recipient of several awards including the Hodder fellowship for emerging novelists at Princeton University and a National Endowment for the Arts fiction award. She speaks, reads and writes Spanish, but she is truly fluent in Spanglish. She lives with her husband and daughter in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Her most recent non-fiction book was Kickboxing Geishas: How Japanese Women are Changing their Nation. Her other non-fiction books include The Joy of Doing Things Badly: A Girl’s Guide to Love, Life, and Foolish Bravery. She has also written more than a dozen books for children, most recently Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa and the body confidence Y/A novel, Plus. Her teen series, Amigas, is a collaboration between Chambers, producer Jane Startz, and Jennifer Lopez.
Veronica spent two seasons as an executive story editor for CW’s hit series Girlfriends, and earned a BET Comedy Award for her script work on that series. She has also written and developed projects for Fox and the N.
Veronica has contributed to several anthologies, including the best-selling Bitch in the House, edited by Cathi Hanuaer, and Mommy Wars, edited by Leslie Morgan Steiner.
A graduate of Simon’s Rock College at Bard, she and her husband have endowed three scholarships at the college in the fields of music and literature. She has been the recipient of several awards including the Hodder fellowship for emerging novelists at Princeton University and a National Endowment for the Arts fiction award. She speaks, reads and writes Spanish, but she is truly fluent in Spanglish. She lives with her husband and daughter in Hoboken, New Jersey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
October 22, 2009
I liked this book because it shows some true life factors that really happen in a normal girls life. Everyone doesnt have good relationships with their parents,and some girls want to impress there mother in some way. So i liked the way the author showed an example of how a child may look at her mother and how a mother may look at her child. I noticed that the author showed you the difference between how a parent treats a boy and a girl also. I undserstood why vikki wanted attention from her mother. It wasnt to borther her in anyway, it was to simply have the understanding and mutual love for one another. Just like any child would want. I felt that a lot of parents need to understand that children need the parent to control their life. While life is still blurry in a childs eye because once the child figures out a sense of the world on their own, a parent goes from a guiding a childs life to becoming a spectator.i wish that many children didnt have to yearn for their parents love it should alredy be engraved in the parent parenting.
December 14, 2019
I had read Veronica Chambers’ Mama’s Girl before, but forgot it. Then as I was reading, it came back to me. She had a hard life. In some ways, her mother, Cecelia had given up on her own life and dedicated her life to her children. Yet, her marriage was also filled with abuse. After reading June Jordan’s autobiography of her early years, I am still shocked by the violence in these Caribbean families. Jordan forgives her father. I think Chambers does not forgive her father, who was so nihilistic and cowardly that it is not to be believed. He would beat his own daughter in the street, but not want to involve the police. The saving of face is too much.
Veronica has to cope with her own mother, so does not give her direction or help. Yet, Mama’s Girl on the second reading is still surprising. It did much on my own, but I was not looking for an apartment until I am 19—and roommate did much of the work. A sixteen-year-old should not have to navigate that terrain. Yet, Veronica does—goes to college early and when her father fails to pay the tuition, she works many jobs and get through. Faculty and employers recognize her talents, but if her own mother had done so, she would have had more ammunition to handle the assaults from her stepmother. These family tensions are huge. Is this internalized oppression that people turn on each other?
Even Veronica’s step father is distance. He mother keeps her illness and surgery from her. Yet Veronica can see how Tono, the stepfather, did love her mother. As Caribbean people from Panama, who were dark and spoke Spanish, they could not fit into LA, which is Black and Latino, but not mixed.
A sad story, but she does make it up with her mother. Often finding it hard to understand what getting an education meant. She and her parents worked in different worlds, but she tried to share her world with her mother, but it is not spas. Also, socially mobile, I did not feel a significant difference with my mother. Shirley was high school educated, as well as art school and design—later she got a college degree. Yet, as a young person, I did not feel the social distance of the decisions that I made. She did not understand sociology, but she followed the world.
Veronica has to pull her mother along. She does so, since this is really her only family. Her brother, always the source of worry for her mother, does not make it into the middle class or even stability. She voices how she has to cope with this guilt.
First Reading Comments
Mama’s Girl by Veronica Chambers focuses on her relationship with her mother, who is distant during Veronica’s childhood, but does stand up for her even though their relationship lacked the intimacy we often connect with middle class families. Her parents, mother from the Canal Zone in Panama and father from the Dominican Republic, but both citizens via different routes. There Caribbean roots are important, including the way her mother speaks Spanish with kin, a language Veronica never mastered until later.
As a young child, Veronica is part of a community in Brooklyn, two difference locations. A family of four, she and her younger brother, live with her parents whose own relationship is troubled. Yet, not only was her mother a victim of violence from her spouse, Veronica also feared her father. The parents separate and divorce, meaning her mother suffers as a single parent. Yet, her unreliable father still expects respect and Veronica is resentful of his actions. Watching television programs about “proper families” has a downside. Veronica is the child her mother did not have to worry about, while Malcolm was trouble as a young person—and deeply troubled when he father leaves. At some point in the book, Chambers comments that Black women mother their sons, but raise their daughters. This is very much the case in this biography.
Life is complicated in this route form poverty to college and a career in journalism. Chambers handles the process well, as she had little concrete family support, but parents pulled her into challenging situations, which she had to resolve. There was so much violence and neglect. Her mother married another Panamanian and moved Veronica to LA, where she is again challenged by a South-Central neighborhood that made Brooklyn seem sane. The schooling was also tracked differently and her talents were not recognized. Her mother does not speak up for her, instead Veronica has to make her own path. Meanwhile, the tensions at home are rough, since her stepfather demands respect and they clash. Her mother wants her to ease tension, so Veronica moves in with her father, who has a new wife and two children in a suburb of Philadelphia. This is really hell, since her father is very unreliable. Her stepmother harasses her and denies her food. Amazing that she survives, but is able to connect with others. She starts college early, an escape that means new challenges, working many jobs because her father does not follow with the supplementing the scholarship.
The biography is well written, but sorrowful in how this dysfunctional family pushes the daughter to not have a childhood. She goes through the motions work and studying, but is stressed and cannot open up to others. During an internship she is overwhelmed and finally has the talk and comfort of her mother.
The book has nice insights into the reality of social mobility. It separated you from people in your previous class and your family. Women face these tensions more than men, who often separate from families. Veronica does distance herself from her father, although the connection is about her brother, whose life style leads to more problems include with the law. Yet, her own life differs so much form her mother, who did secretarial school and always lived on the edge. She feels like her mother deserved the salary she currently owns, but that is again evidence of how different their worlds are.
Veronica has to cope with her own mother, so does not give her direction or help. Yet, Mama’s Girl on the second reading is still surprising. It did much on my own, but I was not looking for an apartment until I am 19—and roommate did much of the work. A sixteen-year-old should not have to navigate that terrain. Yet, Veronica does—goes to college early and when her father fails to pay the tuition, she works many jobs and get through. Faculty and employers recognize her talents, but if her own mother had done so, she would have had more ammunition to handle the assaults from her stepmother. These family tensions are huge. Is this internalized oppression that people turn on each other?
Even Veronica’s step father is distance. He mother keeps her illness and surgery from her. Yet Veronica can see how Tono, the stepfather, did love her mother. As Caribbean people from Panama, who were dark and spoke Spanish, they could not fit into LA, which is Black and Latino, but not mixed.
A sad story, but she does make it up with her mother. Often finding it hard to understand what getting an education meant. She and her parents worked in different worlds, but she tried to share her world with her mother, but it is not spas. Also, socially mobile, I did not feel a significant difference with my mother. Shirley was high school educated, as well as art school and design—later she got a college degree. Yet, as a young person, I did not feel the social distance of the decisions that I made. She did not understand sociology, but she followed the world.
Veronica has to pull her mother along. She does so, since this is really her only family. Her brother, always the source of worry for her mother, does not make it into the middle class or even stability. She voices how she has to cope with this guilt.
First Reading Comments
Mama’s Girl by Veronica Chambers focuses on her relationship with her mother, who is distant during Veronica’s childhood, but does stand up for her even though their relationship lacked the intimacy we often connect with middle class families. Her parents, mother from the Canal Zone in Panama and father from the Dominican Republic, but both citizens via different routes. There Caribbean roots are important, including the way her mother speaks Spanish with kin, a language Veronica never mastered until later.
As a young child, Veronica is part of a community in Brooklyn, two difference locations. A family of four, she and her younger brother, live with her parents whose own relationship is troubled. Yet, not only was her mother a victim of violence from her spouse, Veronica also feared her father. The parents separate and divorce, meaning her mother suffers as a single parent. Yet, her unreliable father still expects respect and Veronica is resentful of his actions. Watching television programs about “proper families” has a downside. Veronica is the child her mother did not have to worry about, while Malcolm was trouble as a young person—and deeply troubled when he father leaves. At some point in the book, Chambers comments that Black women mother their sons, but raise their daughters. This is very much the case in this biography.
Life is complicated in this route form poverty to college and a career in journalism. Chambers handles the process well, as she had little concrete family support, but parents pulled her into challenging situations, which she had to resolve. There was so much violence and neglect. Her mother married another Panamanian and moved Veronica to LA, where she is again challenged by a South-Central neighborhood that made Brooklyn seem sane. The schooling was also tracked differently and her talents were not recognized. Her mother does not speak up for her, instead Veronica has to make her own path. Meanwhile, the tensions at home are rough, since her stepfather demands respect and they clash. Her mother wants her to ease tension, so Veronica moves in with her father, who has a new wife and two children in a suburb of Philadelphia. This is really hell, since her father is very unreliable. Her stepmother harasses her and denies her food. Amazing that she survives, but is able to connect with others. She starts college early, an escape that means new challenges, working many jobs because her father does not follow with the supplementing the scholarship.
The biography is well written, but sorrowful in how this dysfunctional family pushes the daughter to not have a childhood. She goes through the motions work and studying, but is stressed and cannot open up to others. During an internship she is overwhelmed and finally has the talk and comfort of her mother.
The book has nice insights into the reality of social mobility. It separated you from people in your previous class and your family. Women face these tensions more than men, who often separate from families. Veronica does distance herself from her father, although the connection is about her brother, whose life style leads to more problems include with the law. Yet, her own life differs so much form her mother, who did secretarial school and always lived on the edge. She feels like her mother deserved the salary she currently owns, but that is again evidence of how different their worlds are.
November 5, 2009
This book reminded me of my childhood days when I used to double dutch outside with telephone wires. I understood what the girls meant when they say "We rocked back and forth to show the boys we were cute". Every girl that jumped doubles did it to show off to the boys. The telephone wire was the best and common use for double dutch ropes in urban neighborhoods. One thing that stood out to me in this book, was about getting named after someone. I think almost everybody gets their name after someone, whether it's the exact same or two names mixed together. I rate this book as a 3 Star because it was alright, I like it in the begining because I could really relate to it. In the middle it began loosing my attention somehow and I begun getting bored with the book. I recommend this book to anyone who came up from the hood and enjoys reading about problems.
February 25, 2013
This book was a really good inspiring book.It was about a girl who wants to make her mom happy even after her dad was beating her.I really liked this book because unlike some children Veronica is just worried about her mothers happiness and safety .She went to school just to make her mother proud and so she could get a good job so she could buy what ever she felt that her mom needed/ wanted .
This book makes me wanna take her place sometimes.Veronica goes through so much during her childhood .She loved to double dutch right after school once her homework was done.she went outta of her way to make sure that everyone else was happy ,but she never took the time to take care of herself .
This book makes me wanna take her place sometimes.Veronica goes through so much during her childhood .She loved to double dutch right after school once her homework was done.she went outta of her way to make sure that everyone else was happy ,but she never took the time to take care of herself .
June 10, 2010
This book is about a girl trying to find her mother's love. Veronica always did things to try and have her mother notice it, but it never worked. This book in a way kind of remind me of me when I was younger because my mother was always busy working and I never really had a chance to spend time with her. The main character is strong, because even though she has been through so much, she still managed to get herself together and finally got her mothers attention. At first when I started reading this book, but as i continued to read it, it got better and better, and i started to understand it.
October 8, 2013
I really enjoyed this book , and would recommend it to anyone to read. This story tells of a young girl growing up poor in New York trying to stay strong for her mother and, younger brother. Throughout this story I was kept entertains leaving me wanting more
May 10, 2021
This is a quick memoir that focuses on Chambers' childhood and her changing relationship with her mother over the years. A major focus is how her path diverges from her mother's as she goes to school and advances in her career, but their bond stands the test of many major struggles.
Cw for domestic violence, intimate partner violence, child abuse
Cw for domestic violence, intimate partner violence, child abuse
July 6, 2015
My only real issue with the book itself is that it didn't go on longer, I loved it that much. Veronica Chambers paints an honest, funny, and often painful portrait of a bright young woman trying to earn her mother's acceptance, never quite feeling that she was good enough. From her childhood, she noticed a marked difference in the way that she and her brother were treated, with the latter being the favored one. In spite of her accomplishments, her mother still was not able to give her the assurance and love that she wanted. Her writing style is honest, to the point, and often self-reflecting, as she constantly struggles to understand why her mother cannot see the effect that her actions are having on her daughter. She does an excellent job of highlighting events and places integral to her struggle, providing necessary background information and character traits that don't log the book down. She never paints her mother as a pure, out-and-out villain (which she isn't, that distinction belongs firmly to her stepmother and father, and to a lesser extent her stepfather); she analyzes that her behavior may stem from her mother's own background. Nearly everyone in the book is a fully realized person. She also does a good job of highlighting difference and intersectionality, and how this relates to their daily lives. For example, her mother is a Black, Spanish-speaking, Panamanian immigrant, who for the most part, raised her children as a single mother.
As a reader, it was easy to sympathize with Veronica as a person. One can feel her unselfish desire for what her mother gives her brother unconditionally; it isn't much to ask for, and something that every parent should give their children equally. It is obvious that Veronica loves her mother very much, and is always there for her. The reader can also feel the cycle of disappointment that she feels, waiting for her mother to finally recognize her, only to get her heart broken again. She ends the book on a positive note, stating that she and her mother have grown and continue to work on their relationship. But she also notes that they still have a lot of work to do, and that the emotional scars she has will take a while to heal. I wonder what the status of their relationship is now.
This book is perhaps the best example of the oft-heard axiom "Black women raise their daughters but mother their sons". This phenomenon is not restricted to Black women, it happens across all races and cultures. Nonetheless, it is common, and I'm sure that a number of girls can attest to the same feelings. As a reader, I found it difficult to view Veronica's mother sympathetically. I understand that there were circumstances that may have colored her view of parenthood (which I won't give away here), and that she had to struggle to make a living for them. However, I also feel that many people go through hard experiences, yet manage to be loving parents, and don't leave their children feeling hurt. To make matters worse, even by the end, her mother still doesn't seem to understand (or refuses to) the full extent of what she's done. At one point when Veronica confronts her mother about not paying as much attention to her schoolwork/worrying about her the way that she did her brother, her mother replies that she didn't have to worry about her, because she got As all the time. Apparently that was supposed to justify the lack of attention. At another point, she said that Veronica was always so self-sufficient and responsible, so she felt that her affection wasn't needed as much. However, Veronica's persona was affected because she saw her brother favored, and she knew that she couldn't get away with the same things he did. If she had the chance, i'm sure that she would've liked to have been spoiled, too.
I first read this book in my sophomore year of college. It's one of the few books that I kept out of those I had to buy. It's a quick read, but not a simple one. It makes one think deeply about familial relationships, love, and the impact that the past can have on the present. Love, love, LOVE this book.
As a reader, it was easy to sympathize with Veronica as a person. One can feel her unselfish desire for what her mother gives her brother unconditionally; it isn't much to ask for, and something that every parent should give their children equally. It is obvious that Veronica loves her mother very much, and is always there for her. The reader can also feel the cycle of disappointment that she feels, waiting for her mother to finally recognize her, only to get her heart broken again. She ends the book on a positive note, stating that she and her mother have grown and continue to work on their relationship. But she also notes that they still have a lot of work to do, and that the emotional scars she has will take a while to heal. I wonder what the status of their relationship is now.
This book is perhaps the best example of the oft-heard axiom "Black women raise their daughters but mother their sons". This phenomenon is not restricted to Black women, it happens across all races and cultures. Nonetheless, it is common, and I'm sure that a number of girls can attest to the same feelings. As a reader, I found it difficult to view Veronica's mother sympathetically. I understand that there were circumstances that may have colored her view of parenthood (which I won't give away here), and that she had to struggle to make a living for them. However, I also feel that many people go through hard experiences, yet manage to be loving parents, and don't leave their children feeling hurt. To make matters worse, even by the end, her mother still doesn't seem to understand (or refuses to) the full extent of what she's done. At one point when Veronica confronts her mother about not paying as much attention to her schoolwork/worrying about her the way that she did her brother, her mother replies that she didn't have to worry about her, because she got As all the time. Apparently that was supposed to justify the lack of attention. At another point, she said that Veronica was always so self-sufficient and responsible, so she felt that her affection wasn't needed as much. However, Veronica's persona was affected because she saw her brother favored, and she knew that she couldn't get away with the same things he did. If she had the chance, i'm sure that she would've liked to have been spoiled, too.
I first read this book in my sophomore year of college. It's one of the few books that I kept out of those I had to buy. It's a quick read, but not a simple one. It makes one think deeply about familial relationships, love, and the impact that the past can have on the present. Love, love, LOVE this book.
July 21, 2010
I liked this book because the author held nothing back. She spoke of growing up with her mother and brother in a single parent household proudly. While it was apparent that her mother's culture was one that favored boys over girls she did not let that keep her from achieving and trying to make the most of everything.
Her relationship with her mother was strained I think because they were so much alike. I think her mother saw all her potiential in her daughter and was somewhat jealous so she didn't always give her the acknowledgement that her child needed growing up.
This book taught me that even though she may have not had the best relationship growing she didn't let it hold her back as a person, or as a woman. She excelled past her mothers' culture's stereotypes on gender.
the main conflict (Character vs. Character) in this book is that the narrator stuggles to be accepted by her mother for who she is and wants her to be proud of her accomplishments. In her culture boys are more valued no matter what they do and do not accomplish. Another conflict is Character vs. Self. The narrator pushes herself so hard because she wants her mother to accept her as she is a be proud of her even though all along she knew these things, she just wanted her mother to verbalize them.
The narrator is a round/ dynamic character while her father, brother and step mother /step father are flat and static. The narrator's mother is initally flat, but toward the end of the sorry her relationship with her daughter becomes more dynamic and it opens her up as a character, showing why she did some of the things she did during her daughter's life.
The main setting of the story is New York State, and California, during the 1970s to 1990s.
The main symbolism that stood out in the story was the daughter's love for her mother enduring no matter what the situation and the need for love motiviated her to succeed.
Her relationship with her mother was strained I think because they were so much alike. I think her mother saw all her potiential in her daughter and was somewhat jealous so she didn't always give her the acknowledgement that her child needed growing up.
This book taught me that even though she may have not had the best relationship growing she didn't let it hold her back as a person, or as a woman. She excelled past her mothers' culture's stereotypes on gender.
the main conflict (Character vs. Character) in this book is that the narrator stuggles to be accepted by her mother for who she is and wants her to be proud of her accomplishments. In her culture boys are more valued no matter what they do and do not accomplish. Another conflict is Character vs. Self. The narrator pushes herself so hard because she wants her mother to accept her as she is a be proud of her even though all along she knew these things, she just wanted her mother to verbalize them.
The narrator is a round/ dynamic character while her father, brother and step mother /step father are flat and static. The narrator's mother is initally flat, but toward the end of the sorry her relationship with her daughter becomes more dynamic and it opens her up as a character, showing why she did some of the things she did during her daughter's life.
The main setting of the story is New York State, and California, during the 1970s to 1990s.
The main symbolism that stood out in the story was the daughter's love for her mother enduring no matter what the situation and the need for love motiviated her to succeed.
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May 24, 2015Mamas Girl is about a mother and daughter that go through lots of struggles. Veronica the main character has a mother that pays little attention to her and makes little money. As you read on into the story Veronica has trouble getting into a college that she'll have the funds for. This bring stress on all of her family. But before that Veronica had problems living with her mom so she moved to her abusive fathers house. He had a whole new family and new wife. When Veronica moved there she wa soften neglected. She had to eat in her room while everyone ate downstairs as a family. Her father often made promises he never planned to keep. Soon Veronica moved and made it on her own. But, did she ever make it to college? Read the book to find put.
Overall this book wasn't what I expected it was long but it was a good read. I recommend this book to 8th and 7th graders because it a mature adult book.
Overall this book wasn't what I expected it was long but it was a good read. I recommend this book to 8th and 7th graders because it a mature adult book.
January 28, 2011
MAMA'S GIRL, by Veronica Chambers was a pretty incredible story.
I think that the book was based simply around the relationship between Chambers and her mother. I think that if the plot and the story had been changed, the story would have been different, but the story wouldn't be totally unrecognizable, because so much of the story is based on the relationship between Chambers and her mother. While so many things were happening around Chambers and her mother, they were like rocks in a stream - their relationship was the focus and the energy of the story and zoomed in on that. The events that happened just flowed around them.
I think that the book was a good book. I really liked how the book was clearly focused and aimed, and the characters were a strong point as opposed to the plot line.
I think that the book was based simply around the relationship between Chambers and her mother. I think that if the plot and the story had been changed, the story would have been different, but the story wouldn't be totally unrecognizable, because so much of the story is based on the relationship between Chambers and her mother. While so many things were happening around Chambers and her mother, they were like rocks in a stream - their relationship was the focus and the energy of the story and zoomed in on that. The events that happened just flowed around them.
I think that the book was a good book. I really liked how the book was clearly focused and aimed, and the characters were a strong point as opposed to the plot line.
January 24, 2011
"Mama's Girl" a memoir by Veronica Chambers captures the essence of a young female living in Brooklyn. Veronica expresses how she had a broken relationship with her parents. Especially with her mother, no matter how she excelled academically her mother had no positive reaction and showed no affection. I know many people have gone through this and how parents can treat there son better then there daughter because i have been through it. She moved around since her parents were divorced and still had the motivation to get her mothers attention. With her parents being divorced it did not make her rebel and have trouble in school but achieved in so many other ways in life as a teen. This was an amazing book to read it was most interesting since it mainly took place in New York and the settings Veronica described i knew exactly where it was.
April 9, 2009
I picked this up because she is the daughter of a Panamanian.(Yay blatinas!)
I like the writing style. Her life was tough and but this is not a feel sorry for me story ,it's a look how strong I am and what I made of my life and how I don't hate my mother for the life I have story. I know many people who are the child of immigrants who have a childhood that would scare most people. It's a real story.....it's a lot of people's story.
Someone stated(sorry, I don't remember who but I like it and it rings true)...
Mothers and daughters reflect each other, they repel each other, and above it all they love each other. Sometimes they should tell each other.
I like the writing style. Her life was tough and but this is not a feel sorry for me story ,it's a look how strong I am and what I made of my life and how I don't hate my mother for the life I have story. I know many people who are the child of immigrants who have a childhood that would scare most people. It's a real story.....it's a lot of people's story.
Someone stated(sorry, I don't remember who but I like it and it rings true)...
Mothers and daughters reflect each other, they repel each other, and above it all they love each other. Sometimes they should tell each other.
November 10, 2013
Veronica's memoir about growing up in a tumultuous household with a mother struggling to do right, though failing to protect them from abuse and emotional instability. With a failed marriagebetween her parents, abusive father, money troubles and a general sense of never being good enough, Veronica spends her time trying to be the daughter she's supposed to, yet needs to struggle to survive and find a place where she can meet her mother in understanding and appreciation.
Great autobiography that is sure to entertain in a way that is a bit like breaking open households where secrets generally are kept close to the vest. Thanks for writing it.
Great autobiography that is sure to entertain in a way that is a bit like breaking open households where secrets generally are kept close to the vest. Thanks for writing it.
October 24, 2008
Mama's Girl was the most descriptive memoir i've ever read. In this novel Veronica explains her life experience as having a Panamanian mother and a hispanic father. Even though she is really hispanic she is considered black. Being black means everyone stares at you badly adn expect you to talk bad grammar and never do good in life. Veronica proves that all wrong even though she followed that path (almost fell in the hands of a pimp)but recovered. She went to Simon College and became a succesful writer for magazines (OK Magazine) and the New York Times.
=)
=)
November 26, 2007
woow this book is amazing i love it:
its about a young girl who suffers in her teen years a divorce which turns her whole life all around. She moves so many times and ends up settling in the worst .Veronica learns to value things in life as they are and to be strong. She overcame these abuses,beats,lack of parenthood and mistreats. she takes advantage of her knowledge and becomes a daughter her mom is proud of.
its about a young girl who suffers in her teen years a divorce which turns her whole life all around. She moves so many times and ends up settling in the worst .Veronica learns to value things in life as they are and to be strong. She overcame these abuses,beats,lack of parenthood and mistreats. she takes advantage of her knowledge and becomes a daughter her mom is proud of.
January 11, 2008
This book is about how Veronica the main character of the book always tries to impress her mom and be the best daughter possible, but her mom never seemed to care. In the end her mom always cared about her daughter because she trusted her and knew she would always do well, that's why her mom seemed never impressed.
July 4, 2015
This book is the story of Veronica Chambers' childhood and her relationships with her family, primarily with her mother. It's touching and emotional, but you see the mother/daughter relationship persevere through all the hardships and emotional battles. The writing is very easy to understand and very poignant.
January 30, 2009
This book really explains how we all live nowadays. It started off and ended pretty sharply. The author wasn't very clear at the end,in other words, "it left you hanging" << haha i'm sure that's how you say it =)
July 12, 2009
I really enjoyed this book and it made me think a lot about the decisions my family made how that impacted me. I had the pleasure of meeting Veronica (my mom worked with her brother) and she is an amazing woman.
July 12, 2010
Who recommended this book to me? If it was you, please let me know!
A quick, emotional read, this memoir tells the tale of a girl who lacked for affection, and worked to prove herself to the world - especially her mother.
A quick, emotional read, this memoir tells the tale of a girl who lacked for affection, and worked to prove herself to the world - especially her mother.
January 1, 2011
Honestly I do not like memoirs, but I loved this one. It's the first book I ever read by Chambers. When I met Chambers it felt like I was in the book, like she left true pieces of herself in her book.
November 14, 2016
I read this back in middle school and I loved it so much.
For someone who usually don't enjoy reading autobiographies, this one hit home for me and will always have a special place in my heart. My only wish is that I could own a copy of it.
For someone who usually don't enjoy reading autobiographies, this one hit home for me and will always have a special place in my heart. My only wish is that I could own a copy of it.
February 11, 2017
Great book. Touching, moving, heart-breaking. It was easy to relate to the female protagonist and I reveled in her ability to be so empathetic at her age. It was great to read about her perseverance and lack of bitterness despite her adversities.
June 16, 2007
almost as bad as little black dots.
September 18, 2008
pretty interesting. i liked it.
January 5, 2009
This book is a good book. This book is also a relatable book. Its a good book to read when you have spear time and over all its just a great book so far.
January 14, 2010
very touching
November 6, 2010
So good! I love how Veronica expresses her life with no shame or embarrassment. Makes the book so much better to read!
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January 26, 2011this book is about a girl who is poor but tries her best to give her mom EVERYTHING but her mom is still not happy
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