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Everything My Mother Taught Me
50 minutes
In this haunting short story of loyalty and betrayal, a young woman in early 1900s Massachusetts discovers that in navigating her treacherous coming-of-age, she must find her voice first.
For fatefully observant Adeline, growing up carries an ominous warning from her adulterous mother: don’t say a word. Adeline vows to never speak again. But that’s not her only secret. After her mother takes a housekeeping job at a lighthouse off the tip of Cape Ann, a local woman vanishes. The key to the mystery lies with Adeline, the silent witness. New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic Alice Hoffman crafts a beautiful, heart-wrenching short story.
Alice Hoffman’s Everything My Mother Taught Me is part of Inheritance, a collection of five stories about secrets, unspoken desires, and dangerous revelations between loved ones. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single setting. By yourself, behind closed doors, or shared with someone you trust.
Audible Audio
First published December 19, 2019
About the author
Alice Hoffman
128 books25.9k followersAlice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including The World That We Knew; The Marriage of Opposites; The Red Garden; The Museum of Extraordinary Things; The Dovekeepers; Here on Earth, an Oprah’s Book Club selection; and the Practical Magic series, including Practical
Magic; Magic Lessons; The Rules of Magic, a selection of Reese’s Book Club; and The Book of Magic. She lives near Boston.
Magic; Magic Lessons; The Rules of Magic, a selection of Reese’s Book Club; and The Book of Magic. She lives near Boston.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,187 reviews
September 14, 2020
Alice Hoffman has just gained a fan with this story of twelve year old Adeline, who loves her kind, compassionate father with all her heart. Adeline's despises her cheating mother and after Adeline's beloved father dies, she and her mother go live on an island so her mom can work as a servant for the lighthouse keepers' families and Adeline can tend to the the children of the families.
From the time Adeline's father died, she's chosen to not speak. She loves life on the island and finds a true friend in lightkeeper number three's wife, Julia. Adeline feels the same loyalty to Julia as she felt for her father and she finds the strength to give Julia the help she needs to escape the cruelty of her husband and Adeline's mother. This is a story of a very strong girl, made strong by the love her her late father and by witnessing the wanton and mean ways of her mother.
I want to read the other stories in the Inheritance collection (by different authors) after enjoying this story so much. Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for this ARC.
Publication date: December 19th 2019
From the time Adeline's father died, she's chosen to not speak. She loves life on the island and finds a true friend in lightkeeper number three's wife, Julia. Adeline feels the same loyalty to Julia as she felt for her father and she finds the strength to give Julia the help she needs to escape the cruelty of her husband and Adeline's mother. This is a story of a very strong girl, made strong by the love her her late father and by witnessing the wanton and mean ways of her mother.
I want to read the other stories in the Inheritance collection (by different authors) after enjoying this story so much. Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for this ARC.
Publication date: December 19th 2019
November 11, 2019
I immediately loved twelve year Adeline and was broken hearted for her from the first sentence. “There are those who insist that mothers are born with love for their children and place them before all other things, including their own needs and desires. This was not the case with us.” This is a short and beautifully written story about a young girl in the early 1900’s New England trying to find her way in a world given what she knows. A self imposed mute, since her beloved father died, Adeline is wise though she speaks no words. I don’t want to say much about the plot since the story is only 28 pages. Instead, I’ll say what I knew for sure when I finished it. Alice Hoffman is a prolific writer and while I’ve only read a few of her novels, she is firmly cemented on my list of favorite writers. I also know that one of my reading goals in the coming year will be to read some of her books that I have been meaning to get to. I also know that I won’t soon forget Adeline.
I was fortunate to obtain an advanced copy of this from Amazon Original through NetGalley. It’s part of the Amazon Original Inheritance Collection. If you are a NetGalley member, I recommend you go and request it. If not, preorder it from Amazon kindle . It’s being released 12/19/19 . It’s worth so much more than the $1.99 that it will cost you.
I was fortunate to obtain an advanced copy of this from Amazon Original through NetGalley. It’s part of the Amazon Original Inheritance Collection. If you are a NetGalley member, I recommend you go and request it. If not, preorder it from Amazon kindle . It’s being released 12/19/19 . It’s worth so much more than the $1.99 that it will cost you.
December 26, 2019
Everything my Mother Taught Me by Alice Hoffman is a 2019 Amazon original collections story- Inheritance Collection #1
First, I would like to thank all my Goodreads friends for recommending this story to me. A special shout out to Angela M., whose heartfelt review of this short story first caught my attention.
As noted by many reviewers before me, this is a poignant story, featuring twelve-year-old Adeline, who is at the mercy of her abusive, selfish, and neglectful mother. After her father dies, Adeline deliberately becomes mute, refusing to speak. As her mother manipulates and schemes, Adeline finds an unlikely ally and makes a loyal friend, giving her the courage to break the chain, and carve out a more stable future for herself, despite all the odds.
For such a short story, this one really packs a punch. Strong emotions build quickly, and real feeling of compassion, righteous indignation, and pride for and on behalf of Adeline. She is a truly memorable character and this story is one that will stay with me for a long time to come.
4.5 stars
First, I would like to thank all my Goodreads friends for recommending this story to me. A special shout out to Angela M., whose heartfelt review of this short story first caught my attention.
As noted by many reviewers before me, this is a poignant story, featuring twelve-year-old Adeline, who is at the mercy of her abusive, selfish, and neglectful mother. After her father dies, Adeline deliberately becomes mute, refusing to speak. As her mother manipulates and schemes, Adeline finds an unlikely ally and makes a loyal friend, giving her the courage to break the chain, and carve out a more stable future for herself, despite all the odds.
For such a short story, this one really packs a punch. Strong emotions build quickly, and real feeling of compassion, righteous indignation, and pride for and on behalf of Adeline. She is a truly memorable character and this story is one that will stay with me for a long time to come.
4.5 stars
October 30, 2019
A brilliant and atmospheric short story from Alice Hoffman, about a young girl who is little more than an encumbrance to her mother, Nora Ivie. Adeline, named after a soap, adores her father, once a sailor, but then a cobbler until he becomes seriously ill. After his death, she chooses to not talk, taking delight in thwarting her mother. Her mother becomes a housekeeper on a lighthouse on the Essex County Thacer Island. Despite expecting to hate it, Adeline grows to love it, getting close to the kind Julia. Her mother proves to be a problematic presence until Adeline decides to takes matters into her own hands. This is a well written tale of a mother-daughter relationship that is compulsive reading and so gripping. My only problem was that it was short! Otherwise, highly recommended! Many thanks to Amazon Original Stories for an ARC.
January 29, 2020
Very good, engrossing short story about a young twelve-year-old girl named Adeline (who is mute by choice after her father dies) and her terrible, selfish mother (who becomes a housekeeper at the lighthouse on Thacher Island). The book takes place in 1908 on the sometimes very cold, wintry island. The story had great atmosphere, interesting characters (I especially liked kind Julia) and a satisfactory ending.
This book is part of Amazon's "Inheritance Collection" series.
This book is part of Amazon's "Inheritance Collection" series.
December 21, 2019
This short story is just under 30 pages long but carries a strong message. In simple terms I think it basically comes down to “the love you give is the love you get back”. There are so many mother-daughter books out there and being the mother of four, sometimes I feel somewhat under attack. This book, however, gets it all right.
Adeline Ivy adored her father, he gave her so much love and attention. Her mother, Nora, would rather spend her time down the street at the local tavern, loving all of the attention that she can get because of her good looks and flirty attitude. Often Adeline would have to go looking for her mother who always made her swear not to tell her father.
Sadly her father passes away when she is very young. Now her mother’s looks aren’t going to get her a job to support the two of them, at least not one that she wants. When she sees a job for a housekeeper at the lighthouse on Thacher Island on Cape Ann she thinks it sounds like the best option. This turns out to be a much harder job than she envisioned, having to cook and do the laundry for the three families that live on the island.
Meanwhile Adeline thrives in this new environment. In spite of having to look after the numerous children on the island she adores the views of the sea and being surrounded by happy, boisterous children. Many years ago one of the lighthouse keepers brought many plants from the mainland which actually flourished on the island and so there is still lots to explore on this rocky island. She also finds care and love from some of the other adults.
Since this is such a short book, I will stop my review here. This is a book well worth the read from the prolific and extremely talented Ms. Hoffman. I can’t wait to read another story in what is described as “Inheritance, a collection of five stories about secrets, unspoken desires, and dangerous revelations between loved ones. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single setting. By yourself, behind closed doors, or shared with someone you trust. "
I received this ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. It is set to publish in December 2019.
Adeline Ivy adored her father, he gave her so much love and attention. Her mother, Nora, would rather spend her time down the street at the local tavern, loving all of the attention that she can get because of her good looks and flirty attitude. Often Adeline would have to go looking for her mother who always made her swear not to tell her father.
Sadly her father passes away when she is very young. Now her mother’s looks aren’t going to get her a job to support the two of them, at least not one that she wants. When she sees a job for a housekeeper at the lighthouse on Thacher Island on Cape Ann she thinks it sounds like the best option. This turns out to be a much harder job than she envisioned, having to cook and do the laundry for the three families that live on the island.
Meanwhile Adeline thrives in this new environment. In spite of having to look after the numerous children on the island she adores the views of the sea and being surrounded by happy, boisterous children. Many years ago one of the lighthouse keepers brought many plants from the mainland which actually flourished on the island and so there is still lots to explore on this rocky island. She also finds care and love from some of the other adults.
Since this is such a short book, I will stop my review here. This is a book well worth the read from the prolific and extremely talented Ms. Hoffman. I can’t wait to read another story in what is described as “Inheritance, a collection of five stories about secrets, unspoken desires, and dangerous revelations between loved ones. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single setting. By yourself, behind closed doors, or shared with someone you trust. "
I received this ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. It is set to publish in December 2019.
January 24, 2020
Circumspect
Everything My Mother Taught Me (Inheritance Collection #1) is a poignant story of a mother’s relationship with her daughter, husband, and neighbours. Some women should never be married, some women should never have children, meet Nora Ivie, mother to Adeline. Only a mother that is so narcissistic and devoid of caring for her daughter, could furnish so little love and personal development with her child.
While Nora openly cheated on Adeline’s father, he remained devoted to his family right up to his death when Adeline was twelve. Suddenly as a widow with a child, the male interests subside, “… after all, they had wives of their own.” Adeline decides to stop speaking in response to a remark from her mother, and in memory of her late father.
Adeline and her mother move to a small group of families responsible for the upkeep of two lighthouses on Thacher Island, off Cape Ann. It isn’t too long before Nora has adulterous plans for one of the other married men, and they record in a notebook their amusement at how feckless and unattractive the deceived wife Julie is. Meanwhile, Julie becomes much more maternal towards Adeline and they develop a close bond. Alice Hoffman does a superb job creating the silent witness in Adeline, a young girl who is acutely observant and now driven to feel more obligation towards someone other than her mother. I didn’t feel the characters were fully formed but there is enough to experience the emotional impact of neglect, deceit and loss.
At the outset I considered the title and wondered how a title of such scope could be validated in a short story, but therein lies the moral of the story. What if everything you learnt from your mother was so negligible that your only wish was to be as different as possible. As part of the Inheritance series, it is fascinating how traits or personalities are either impulsively followed or are moulded in a reaction to reprehensible behaviours.
I would recommend reading this book and it is a good addition to the Inheritance Collection from Amazon Original Stories.
Everything My Mother Taught Me (Inheritance Collection #1) is a poignant story of a mother’s relationship with her daughter, husband, and neighbours. Some women should never be married, some women should never have children, meet Nora Ivie, mother to Adeline. Only a mother that is so narcissistic and devoid of caring for her daughter, could furnish so little love and personal development with her child.
While Nora openly cheated on Adeline’s father, he remained devoted to his family right up to his death when Adeline was twelve. Suddenly as a widow with a child, the male interests subside, “… after all, they had wives of their own.” Adeline decides to stop speaking in response to a remark from her mother, and in memory of her late father.
Adeline and her mother move to a small group of families responsible for the upkeep of two lighthouses on Thacher Island, off Cape Ann. It isn’t too long before Nora has adulterous plans for one of the other married men, and they record in a notebook their amusement at how feckless and unattractive the deceived wife Julie is. Meanwhile, Julie becomes much more maternal towards Adeline and they develop a close bond. Alice Hoffman does a superb job creating the silent witness in Adeline, a young girl who is acutely observant and now driven to feel more obligation towards someone other than her mother. I didn’t feel the characters were fully formed but there is enough to experience the emotional impact of neglect, deceit and loss.
At the outset I considered the title and wondered how a title of such scope could be validated in a short story, but therein lies the moral of the story. What if everything you learnt from your mother was so negligible that your only wish was to be as different as possible. As part of the Inheritance series, it is fascinating how traits or personalities are either impulsively followed or are moulded in a reaction to reprehensible behaviours.
I would recommend reading this book and it is a good addition to the Inheritance Collection from Amazon Original Stories.
December 26, 2019
This was my second read by Ms Hoffman, and she has definitely become the author I will follow.
This short story had all my attention and engagement as a reader. The premise, a rocky island off Massachusetts, with its tragic history and two lighthouses, provides perfect background for the plot, set in the beginning of the 20th century, which introduces us to a young girl, Adeline, who decides to become mute after her mother's remark. The mother-daughter bond is non-existent and the little girl has to survive in the small community, and she does so thanks to being intelligent and observant.
The writing and narration are excellent.
*Many thanks to Alice Hoffman, Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
This short story had all my attention and engagement as a reader. The premise, a rocky island off Massachusetts, with its tragic history and two lighthouses, provides perfect background for the plot, set in the beginning of the 20th century, which introduces us to a young girl, Adeline, who decides to become mute after her mother's remark. The mother-daughter bond is non-existent and the little girl has to survive in the small community, and she does so thanks to being intelligent and observant.
The writing and narration are excellent.
*Many thanks to Alice Hoffman, Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
November 12, 2019
Alice Hoffman has done it again!!!! In 28 pages she has written a gripping tale about loyalty, betrayal, love, secrets, friendship, and what drives one to silence. Twelve-year-old Adeline hasn't spoken since her father's death, but she sees all and finds a way to communicate without saying a word.
I won’t say more about the plot as the short story is only twenty-eight pages, but in those twenty-eight pages, Hoffman gives her characters distinct personalities, struggles, desires, and pain. Wonderfully written, this book is atmospheric, compelling and chilling. Hoffman has proven time and time to be an excellent storyteller and this short story is no exception.
This short story is part of a collection of stories called Inheritance.
Not a fan of short stories? This one WILL change your mind! Fans of Hoffman's novels will love this short gem of a book!
Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this short story in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
I won’t say more about the plot as the short story is only twenty-eight pages, but in those twenty-eight pages, Hoffman gives her characters distinct personalities, struggles, desires, and pain. Wonderfully written, this book is atmospheric, compelling and chilling. Hoffman has proven time and time to be an excellent storyteller and this short story is no exception.
This short story is part of a collection of stories called Inheritance.
Not a fan of short stories? This one WILL change your mind! Fans of Hoffman's novels will love this short gem of a book!
Thank you to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this short story in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 30, 2019
The year was 1908 when Adeline’s father died. She was 12.
She and her mother, Nora Ivie, left their home in Boston -forty miles away, to live on island in Essex County... at the tip of Cape Ann. Thacher Island - a remote and desolate place - was named after Anthony Thacher where there had been many shipwrecks, in 1635.
What happens on this island....doesn’t stay on the island...
This is my very favorite short story - of ‘ALL GREAT’ stories by very talented authors....
part of the Amazon 5 book Inheritance series ...
We’ve had stories about mothers and daughters since the beginning of time...
Yet...after finishing Alice Hoffman’s story.. [GOD I LOVE ALICE HOFFMAN]....
it was as if all other stories about mum & daughter were shades of gray compared to Alice’s gut wrenching tale...,
I cried at the end.
Adeline is my new favorite young heroine of any story I’ve read this year!!!
A very personal heartfelt story to me!!!!!
Overflowing with 5 stars.
She and her mother, Nora Ivie, left their home in Boston -forty miles away, to live on island in Essex County... at the tip of Cape Ann. Thacher Island - a remote and desolate place - was named after Anthony Thacher where there had been many shipwrecks, in 1635.
What happens on this island....doesn’t stay on the island...
This is my very favorite short story - of ‘ALL GREAT’ stories by very talented authors....
part of the Amazon 5 book Inheritance series ...
We’ve had stories about mothers and daughters since the beginning of time...
Yet...after finishing Alice Hoffman’s story.. [GOD I LOVE ALICE HOFFMAN]....
it was as if all other stories about mum & daughter were shades of gray compared to Alice’s gut wrenching tale...,
I cried at the end.
Adeline is my new favorite young heroine of any story I’ve read this year!!!
A very personal heartfelt story to me!!!!!
Overflowing with 5 stars.
October 31, 2019
More than a tale about mother and daughter, this short story dives into questions of nature vs. nurture. Having grown up with shameless and unethical mother, the main character, 12 year old Adeline, comes to face the reality of her inheritance: an inheritance of genetics. Revenge falls into her hands, and Adeline must then confront her own principles.
The story begins shortly after Adeline's caring father passes away. She is left under the care of her nefarious mother, who continues a pattern of dishonorable behavior. In 1908 her mother then moves her to a lighthouse, where her mother begins working as a housekeeper for the lighthouse keepers. Adeline is treated poorly and wickedly by her mother during this time. Not long after beginning work, her mom begins an affair with one of the lighthouse keepers. Then, Adeline decides to take things into her own hands. But, will extracting revenge make her any better than her mom?
This short story is 28 pages. It is appropriate for the secondary classroom and post-secondary classroom, and would serve a meaningful purpose since it has many literary elements and tools. There is no foul language and there are no vulgar details about the mother's affair. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and setting created by the author.
I think this creates great discussion and would make a good buddy/group read. GR friend Elyse saw a different perspective on this than I. To read our discussion, see the comments in her review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.
The story begins shortly after Adeline's caring father passes away. She is left under the care of her nefarious mother, who continues a pattern of dishonorable behavior. In 1908 her mother then moves her to a lighthouse, where her mother begins working as a housekeeper for the lighthouse keepers. Adeline is treated poorly and wickedly by her mother during this time. Not long after beginning work, her mom begins an affair with one of the lighthouse keepers. Then, Adeline decides to take things into her own hands. But, will extracting revenge make her any better than her mom?
This short story is 28 pages. It is appropriate for the secondary classroom and post-secondary classroom, and would serve a meaningful purpose since it has many literary elements and tools. There is no foul language and there are no vulgar details about the mother's affair. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and setting created by the author.
I think this creates great discussion and would make a good buddy/group read. GR friend Elyse saw a different perspective on this than I. To read our discussion, see the comments in her review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.
December 5, 2019
Alice Hoffman is a great author and here she’s written an amazing story in just 28 pages!
I’ll remember 12 yr old Adeline.
This was a heart wrenching and atmospheric story. Just read it!
Available December 19th
Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories!
I’ll remember 12 yr old Adeline.
This was a heart wrenching and atmospheric story. Just read it!
Available December 19th
Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Original Stories!
December 20, 2019
This is the first short story I’ve received from netgalley. I’m not a fan of short stories, but I’ll read anything by Alice Hoffman. The story has an almost fairy tale quality to it. Hoffman’s stories often contain a bit of magic realism. This one is pure historic fiction, but maybe because of the setting and an evil mother, I still felt the fairy tale atmosphere.
The story takes place in 1907. Adeline’s mother is a total narcissist. After the death of her husband, she’s forced to take a job as a cleaner for two lighthouses on a remote island. Adeline stopped speaking after the death of her father. This is a conscious choice, a rebellion against her mother. Her mother might not care about her, but that doesn’t mean no one does. This was a wonderful tale. It’s the first in a series of five short stories Hoffman is writing and I look forward to the rest.
My thanks to netgalley and Amazon Publishing for an advance copy.
The story takes place in 1907. Adeline’s mother is a total narcissist. After the death of her husband, she’s forced to take a job as a cleaner for two lighthouses on a remote island. Adeline stopped speaking after the death of her father. This is a conscious choice, a rebellion against her mother. Her mother might not care about her, but that doesn’t mean no one does. This was a wonderful tale. It’s the first in a series of five short stories Hoffman is writing and I look forward to the rest.
My thanks to netgalley and Amazon Publishing for an advance copy.
November 13, 2020
This story gets you from the first two sentences. What a spectacular opening!
“There are those who insist that mothers are born with love for their children and place them before all other things, including their own needs and desires. This was not the case with us.”
This story was recommended to me after I was a little disappointed with, "Rules of Magic" (not the writing but particularly the story.)
I was blown away with Alice Hoffman's writing. The story was beautifully written and the characters came alive so boldly. I began to wish that this was a full length novel. Twelve year old Adeline's plight was very moving. There was a lot of emotion and detail in this short story. The ending was very satisfying.
“There are those who insist that mothers are born with love for their children and place them before all other things, including their own needs and desires. This was not the case with us.”
This story was recommended to me after I was a little disappointed with, "Rules of Magic" (not the writing but particularly the story.)
I was blown away with Alice Hoffman's writing. The story was beautifully written and the characters came alive so boldly. I began to wish that this was a full length novel. Twelve year old Adeline's plight was very moving. There was a lot of emotion and detail in this short story. The ending was very satisfying.
November 23, 2019
Rating: 4.5 rounded up.
Back when I was in school there was a girl named Karen who wouldn't talk. It wasn't that she couldn't—she could, but she just wouldn't. As kids we would try to get her to talk, like it was a game of who-could-get-Karen-to-talk-first and she would just smile at us. It was big news when a girl claimed she'd seen Karen talking to someone outside of school. We knew that she did talk when she wasn't attending school but we just couldn't figure out why she didn't talk to us.
Once, when we were preparing for a carol singing contest, her mother volunteered to help us with our costumes. That time, I'd asked her why Karen didn't speak and she said she didn't know. To her mother, Karen was a completely different girl—shy, probably, but not someone who wouldn't speak. When I was older, I understood that Karen must have had a reason for her silence. I wondered if a teacher had berated her for talking when she was younger and it was why she'd stopped talking in class altogether. Her silence will always remain a mystery to me and I have no idea what became of her—if she continued to keep quiet or she started talking to everyone. But I hope that she, like the main character of this story, found herself at some point, ready to speak. [As Ceecee pointed out, Karen most probably had what is called selective mutism.]
Everything My Mother Taught Me is a short story by Alice Hoffman which is a part of the Inheritance series. It follows the life of a twelve-year-old girl, Adeline, who has the worst mother one could possibly imagine—she is selfish, uncaring, and always finds fault with Adeline. After her beloved father dies, Adeline stops talking. Her terrible mother gets hired as a housekeeper for a lighthouse and the two relocate to a small cottage on the island. There, Adeline grows fond of Julia, the wife of one of the lighthouse keepers who looks out for her and saves her from her mother a number of times. All this while, Julia is unaware that her husband is committing adultery with Adeline's mother.
Adeline finds herself reconnect with her dead father who loved the sea, as she spends her days admiring the water and the view from the lighthouse. Circumstances compel her to make tough decisions and while she is tempted to make her mother pay for all the years of torment, she comes to a reassuring conclusion—she might resemble her mother in appearance but on the inside, she has inherited her father's kindness and morality.
Alice Hoffman has managed to weave a compelling story filled with hope, in just twenty-eight pages. It depicts the journey of a child who has never been the subject of motherly love until she finally gets an opportunity to experience it. This is a story I would definitely recommend.
[I'd like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories and Alice Hoffman for this ARC.]
The Inheritance Series:
Can You Feel This?
The Lion's Den
Zenith Man
The Weddings
Back when I was in school there was a girl named Karen who wouldn't talk. It wasn't that she couldn't—she could, but she just wouldn't. As kids we would try to get her to talk, like it was a game of who-could-get-Karen-to-talk-first and she would just smile at us. It was big news when a girl claimed she'd seen Karen talking to someone outside of school. We knew that she did talk when she wasn't attending school but we just couldn't figure out why she didn't talk to us.
Once, when we were preparing for a carol singing contest, her mother volunteered to help us with our costumes. That time, I'd asked her why Karen didn't speak and she said she didn't know. To her mother, Karen was a completely different girl—shy, probably, but not someone who wouldn't speak. When I was older, I understood that Karen must have had a reason for her silence. I wondered if a teacher had berated her for talking when she was younger and it was why she'd stopped talking in class altogether. Her silence will always remain a mystery to me and I have no idea what became of her—if she continued to keep quiet or she started talking to everyone. But I hope that she, like the main character of this story, found herself at some point, ready to speak. [As Ceecee pointed out, Karen most probably had what is called selective mutism.]
Everything My Mother Taught Me is a short story by Alice Hoffman which is a part of the Inheritance series. It follows the life of a twelve-year-old girl, Adeline, who has the worst mother one could possibly imagine—she is selfish, uncaring, and always finds fault with Adeline. After her beloved father dies, Adeline stops talking. Her terrible mother gets hired as a housekeeper for a lighthouse and the two relocate to a small cottage on the island. There, Adeline grows fond of Julia, the wife of one of the lighthouse keepers who looks out for her and saves her from her mother a number of times. All this while, Julia is unaware that her husband is committing adultery with Adeline's mother.
Adeline finds herself reconnect with her dead father who loved the sea, as she spends her days admiring the water and the view from the lighthouse. Circumstances compel her to make tough decisions and while she is tempted to make her mother pay for all the years of torment, she comes to a reassuring conclusion—she might resemble her mother in appearance but on the inside, she has inherited her father's kindness and morality.
Alice Hoffman has managed to weave a compelling story filled with hope, in just twenty-eight pages. It depicts the journey of a child who has never been the subject of motherly love until she finally gets an opportunity to experience it. This is a story I would definitely recommend.
[I'd like to thank NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories and Alice Hoffman for this ARC.]
The Inheritance Series:
Can You Feel This?
The Lion's Den
Zenith Man
The Weddings
October 2, 2023
A good that made me happy for the mother I had, and a deep admiration for Adelaide who survived and thrived despite hers.
Hard to write a complete story in a few pages but Hoffman did so admirably.
Hard to write a complete story in a few pages but Hoffman did so admirably.
November 16, 2019
For me, to date, Alice Hoffman's novels have been a bit hit or miss, but she sure can write a short story! 'Everything my Mother Taught Me' is short but perfect and leaves the reader wanting more.
The main character is Adeline, a twelve year old girl who has the misfortune to have a mother who loves no one but herself. Fortunately Adeline is smart and strong and she has a way of solving problems. The setting is a New England light house, beautifully described and very appropriate for the events which occur.
It takes a clever author to pack so much into a short story. I must read some more of her novels!
My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this ebook.
The main character is Adeline, a twelve year old girl who has the misfortune to have a mother who loves no one but herself. Fortunately Adeline is smart and strong and she has a way of solving problems. The setting is a New England light house, beautifully described and very appropriate for the events which occur.
It takes a clever author to pack so much into a short story. I must read some more of her novels!
My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this ebook.
December 23, 2019
A nice short story from Alice Hoffman which is well written and gets the readers attention from the very beginning.
Inheritance is a collection of five stories about secrets, unspoken desires, and dangerous revelations between loved ones. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single setting and Everything my mother taught me is my first story of the collection.
I listened to this one on audible and at 50 minutes it really is quite short. The narration was good and it passed an hour for me but I wasn’t blown away by it, a nice read but Not one for my favorites shelf.
Inheritance is a collection of five stories about secrets, unspoken desires, and dangerous revelations between loved ones. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single setting and Everything my mother taught me is my first story of the collection.
I listened to this one on audible and at 50 minutes it really is quite short. The narration was good and it passed an hour for me but I wasn’t blown away by it, a nice read but Not one for my favorites shelf.
December 17, 2019
Everything My Mother Taught Me is now the fourth short story I have read to the in the Amazon Original Short Stories Inheritance Collection. It is my favourite one so far. Each has given me so much to think about and now, after reading four of them, I am starting to see the beauty here is that each has something different you can take from it and really think about. Now at only 28 pages, you have to do a little bit of work here but I am in awe with how little needs to be said to provoke such dept to the stories. I think the best part of these short stories is what you take from the story and how it makes you feel.
Everything My Mother Taught Me is an interesting beautiful, haunting and heartfelt story that explores the power of observing and listening and finding your voice. Talk can be cheap and listening can be enlightening and empowering. Alice Hoffman delivers an enlightening and empowering story here. I highly recommend it.
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley
Everything My Mother Taught Me is an interesting beautiful, haunting and heartfelt story that explores the power of observing and listening and finding your voice. Talk can be cheap and listening can be enlightening and empowering. Alice Hoffman delivers an enlightening and empowering story here. I highly recommend it.
I received a copy from the publisher on NetGalley
November 1, 2019
There are givers in this world and then there are the takers.
In her brief twelve years, Adeline has had a front row seat in observing which category her mother falls into. Nora Ivie would take the last drop of milk from a newborn if it would suit her purpose.
But it is Adeline's father, the dreamer, who holds her heart. He's given up the sea as a sailor for the love of Nora Ivie. A love that is never quite returned even at his early death.
It's 1908 and with few options for a young widow and her daughter, Nora takes a job as a housekeeper on Thacher Island on the tip of Cape Ann. Nora connives her way into the household of the three lighthouse keepers with very dubious results. Adeline must try to adjust to life on the island where she is exposed to others with far higher standards than Nora. Adeline, sadly, has great difficulty in recognizing happiness.
Everything My Mother Taught Me is a snippet of a short story packed to the brim with the uneven avenues of human nature. Alice Hoffman works her magic here in a limited piece, but with profound results. She showcases characters that are as smooth as glass while others wound with their sharpness of intent.
Beautifully written by Hoffman and a personal longing for her to return to Adeline with a hefty novel in the making. Absolutely loved it.
I received a copy through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Amazon Original Stories and to Alice Hoffman for the oportunity.
In her brief twelve years, Adeline has had a front row seat in observing which category her mother falls into. Nora Ivie would take the last drop of milk from a newborn if it would suit her purpose.
But it is Adeline's father, the dreamer, who holds her heart. He's given up the sea as a sailor for the love of Nora Ivie. A love that is never quite returned even at his early death.
It's 1908 and with few options for a young widow and her daughter, Nora takes a job as a housekeeper on Thacher Island on the tip of Cape Ann. Nora connives her way into the household of the three lighthouse keepers with very dubious results. Adeline must try to adjust to life on the island where she is exposed to others with far higher standards than Nora. Adeline, sadly, has great difficulty in recognizing happiness.
Everything My Mother Taught Me is a snippet of a short story packed to the brim with the uneven avenues of human nature. Alice Hoffman works her magic here in a limited piece, but with profound results. She showcases characters that are as smooth as glass while others wound with their sharpness of intent.
Beautifully written by Hoffman and a personal longing for her to return to Adeline with a hefty novel in the making. Absolutely loved it.
I received a copy through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Amazon Original Stories and to Alice Hoffman for the oportunity.
December 20, 2019
I really wanted to like this a great deal better than I did. I loved the 12-year-old Adeline, and the other characters were well drawn, but the change of setting from Boston to the lighthouse and back to Boston again was too jarring for such a short story. I really think it would have worked better had it been set in a single location, with more time given to the story itself.
November 16, 2019
Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review.
Narcissists make lousy mothers. A little girl chooses silence over speech after a devastating loss. Alice Hoffman is a magician, turning a mere 28 pages into a meaningful full-bodied story.
Narcissists make lousy mothers. A little girl chooses silence over speech after a devastating loss. Alice Hoffman is a magician, turning a mere 28 pages into a meaningful full-bodied story.
November 12, 2022
4★
“She was the sort of person who saw only herself and her shadow, and the rest of us disappeared in the bright sunlight.”
Adeline begins her story in 1908, when her mother is widowed and finds work on an island with a lighthouse tended by two families. It is a decided step down for a woman who fancies herself the centre of attention.
“My mother’s name was Nora Ivie, and mine was Adeline. I had been named after a soap she’d once seen in a fancy shop, Adeline Lilac Soap, made in Paris. My mother said naming me so had been a mistake because now I thought I was better than she.”
Mother is a gorgeous head-turner, so dropping her into a closed social group on an island was bound to stir things up. She resents the burden of a daughter, and added to that is Adeline’s refusal to speak since her father died. There are two other families, complete with children and animals, so mother’s job as housekeeper is much more onerous than anything she ever intended for her future.
I assumed this would just be some wistful, heart-string-tugging tale of a grieving, mistreated young girl (12) angry with her selfish mother, but it became much more dramatic than that.
“We were all in close quarters, in the dining room and on the island. An argument could mean many things to many people and affect us all.”
It’s an interesting combination of place and characters and an ultimately satisfying read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted. This is one of five (so far?) stories from the collection called ‘Inheritance’ from Amazon Original Stories. They are still available on NetGalley until 2 January 2020.
“She was the sort of person who saw only herself and her shadow, and the rest of us disappeared in the bright sunlight.”
Adeline begins her story in 1908, when her mother is widowed and finds work on an island with a lighthouse tended by two families. It is a decided step down for a woman who fancies herself the centre of attention.
“My mother’s name was Nora Ivie, and mine was Adeline. I had been named after a soap she’d once seen in a fancy shop, Adeline Lilac Soap, made in Paris. My mother said naming me so had been a mistake because now I thought I was better than she.”
Mother is a gorgeous head-turner, so dropping her into a closed social group on an island was bound to stir things up. She resents the burden of a daughter, and added to that is Adeline’s refusal to speak since her father died. There are two other families, complete with children and animals, so mother’s job as housekeeper is much more onerous than anything she ever intended for her future.
I assumed this would just be some wistful, heart-string-tugging tale of a grieving, mistreated young girl (12) angry with her selfish mother, but it became much more dramatic than that.
“We were all in close quarters, in the dining room and on the island. An argument could mean many things to many people and affect us all.”
It’s an interesting combination of place and characters and an ultimately satisfying read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Amazon for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted. This is one of five (so far?) stories from the collection called ‘Inheritance’ from Amazon Original Stories. They are still available on NetGalley until 2 January 2020.
December 4, 2019
EVERYTHING MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME.
Its been way too long since my last Alice Hoffman novel, and although this is a shortie, it is so full of substance.
Circa 1900's New England.
A now mute young twelve year old Adeline had such a wonderful loving father, but now only has her wretched floozy of a mother as they move to an old lighthouse where mother dear now works....and plays....and keeps secrets.
But even in her silence, Adeline is a smart little cookie....as readers will see.
Sign me up to complete the upcoming Inheritance Collection and many thanks to Amazon Original Stories and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for review.
January 4, 2020
4 Stars
Adeline is twelve years old and all alone in this world. She lost a father whom she loved with all of her might and is little lost herself. Her mother, ignores her day in day out and Adeline has no hope of ever having a relationship with her. Cold and uncaring, her mother’s only concerns are her own. Obtaining a housekeeping job at an old Lighthouse, her mother makes Adeline leave the life she one knew for the unknown.
Never uttering a word again, Adeline, sees and hears more than anyone else ever could and helps those who help her.
Tragic in some ways and beautiful in others, “Everything My Mother Taught Me” by Alice Hoffman is a lovely short story. The only thing I wish is that it had evoked a little more feeling in me or that perhaps it was longer and therefore I felt more for the characters. Sometimes I think it’s hard for short stories to give me everything I’m hoping for simply because they are in fact so short and I think that was the case here. That said, I loved how the story transpired between Adeline and another character and look forward to more novels by the incredible Ms. Hoffman.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories and Alice Hoffman for the arc.
Published on Goodreads and NetGalley on 1.4.20.
Adeline is twelve years old and all alone in this world. She lost a father whom she loved with all of her might and is little lost herself. Her mother, ignores her day in day out and Adeline has no hope of ever having a relationship with her. Cold and uncaring, her mother’s only concerns are her own. Obtaining a housekeeping job at an old Lighthouse, her mother makes Adeline leave the life she one knew for the unknown.
Never uttering a word again, Adeline, sees and hears more than anyone else ever could and helps those who help her.
Tragic in some ways and beautiful in others, “Everything My Mother Taught Me” by Alice Hoffman is a lovely short story. The only thing I wish is that it had evoked a little more feeling in me or that perhaps it was longer and therefore I felt more for the characters. Sometimes I think it’s hard for short stories to give me everything I’m hoping for simply because they are in fact so short and I think that was the case here. That said, I loved how the story transpired between Adeline and another character and look forward to more novels by the incredible Ms. Hoffman.
Thank you to NetGalley, Amazon Original Stories and Alice Hoffman for the arc.
Published on Goodreads and NetGalley on 1.4.20.
November 26, 2019
What a good writer Alice Hoffman is! It's really impressive that she has managed to convey so much in this 28 page short story of a young girl, ill treated and unloved by her adulterous mother in early 1900s Massachusetts. Her characters are fully formed with the tensions and drama between them clearly outlined and the young girl's thoughts and actions informing the narrative so well. Set in a small community of lighthouse keepers and their families on an island, it's very atmospheric with the sounds of the sea, and the children's games on the beach in summer. Highly recommended!
Part of a series of short stories, the Amazon Original Inheritence Collection, to be released on 19th Dec 2019. I received an advance digital copy, with thanks to Netgalley and Amazon.
Part of a series of short stories, the Amazon Original Inheritence Collection, to be released on 19th Dec 2019. I received an advance digital copy, with thanks to Netgalley and Amazon.
June 15, 2022
An amazing short story, part of the Inheritance collection and available on KU.
Adeline is a twelve year old who decides to stop talking after her adulterous mother Nora shows no signs of changing her behaviour after the death of her husband and Adeline’s father. When her lovers fail to support her, Nora takes up a housekeeping job in a remote lighthouse. But the change in circumstances doesn’t change her behaviour and Adeline, while still quiet, observes the happenings and starts making her own plans.
I don’t want to reveal much of the story beyond this point because it is just a short story and it needs to be read and relished.
This story is set in 1908 and the location is an island in Essex county, north of Boston. The writing captures the remote setting and the era well. But even more captivating than the atmosphere is the dynamic of the relationships in the story. Nora’s lack of empathy towards her own daughter is more than compensated by the strong feelings that Julie, one of the keeper’s wives, has for the young girl.
Within just 25-30 pages, Ms. Hoffman develops a masterful story, one that I simply couldn’t keep aside. It has all the hallmarks of a great short tale – a clear plot structure, fluid development, an impactful beginning-middle-end, quick pace, and a perfect ending that doesn’t go over the top.
Well worth the read because it is excellent!
4.25 stars.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Adeline is a twelve year old who decides to stop talking after her adulterous mother Nora shows no signs of changing her behaviour after the death of her husband and Adeline’s father. When her lovers fail to support her, Nora takes up a housekeeping job in a remote lighthouse. But the change in circumstances doesn’t change her behaviour and Adeline, while still quiet, observes the happenings and starts making her own plans.
I don’t want to reveal much of the story beyond this point because it is just a short story and it needs to be read and relished.
This story is set in 1908 and the location is an island in Essex county, north of Boston. The writing captures the remote setting and the era well. But even more captivating than the atmosphere is the dynamic of the relationships in the story. Nora’s lack of empathy towards her own daughter is more than compensated by the strong feelings that Julie, one of the keeper’s wives, has for the young girl.
Within just 25-30 pages, Ms. Hoffman develops a masterful story, one that I simply couldn’t keep aside. It has all the hallmarks of a great short tale – a clear plot structure, fluid development, an impactful beginning-middle-end, quick pace, and a perfect ending that doesn’t go over the top.
Well worth the read because it is excellent!
4.25 stars.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
June 21, 2024
This short story by Alice Hoffman is part of a collection of five short stories by different authors under the title of Inheritance, and if the other four are as good as this one, it will prove to be worth your time to check them all out.
In twenty-eight pages, Hoffman shares an unforgettable story of a young woman living in the early 1900s with her parents in Boston whose life changes dramatically the year she turned twelve. First, her father becomes ill, and her mother is fond of spending her time in a local tavern in the company of men. A tavern where Adeline often has to find her and bring her home. Adeline is warned by her mother not to tell her father what she’s seen, telling her to keep her mouth shut. And so she does, making a vow to remain silent.
Twin lighthouses on the rocky coast of Cape Ann is where the later part of this story takes place, which adds a sense of isolation in the setting, prompting Adeline’s desire to create a different path for herself.
A story with a haunting atmosphere that pulled me in from the first sentence about secrets, the ones we keep from others and the ones we keep from ourselves, as well.
Pub Date: 19 Dec 2019
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Amazon Original Stories through NetGalley
June 6, 2020
A captivating novella, Everything My Mother Taught Me more than made up for the early am wake up call. From the beginning, I was pulled into the emotional world of 12 year old Adeline who has recently lost a much beloved father and is left struggling with her mother's own rules of morality. Now living on a lighthouse keeper's island Adeline is frustrated with her mother's actions and a series of events take place which show the widening distance between mother and daughter.
There are those that insist that mothers are born with love for their children and place them before all other things, including their own needs and desires.
Obviously I would have loved to have a full length novel because I enjoy Hoffman's writing and some of the side characters would have been a bit more fleshed out. However, I was quite satisfied with the ending and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Goodreads review published 06/06/20
There are those that insist that mothers are born with love for their children and place them before all other things, including their own needs and desires.
Obviously I would have loved to have a full length novel because I enjoy Hoffman's writing and some of the side characters would have been a bit more fleshed out. However, I was quite satisfied with the ending and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Goodreads review published 06/06/20
December 22, 2019
Don’t let the title fool you…
The title was a turn-off, as I assumed this short story would be a mom and daughter chummy-chummy love fest. 1, I’ve had enough of those Hallmark-y stories, and 2, I can’t relate. But boy was I wrong. This is a story about a nice girl with a bad mom. Mom and 12-year-old Adeline (named after a bar of soap) live on an isolated island off Massachusetts in the early 1900s. The story seemed like it could be set in any time period; not sure why it was the old days.
I’m not going to reveal anything about the story, other than to say we all wished mom would behave herself.
I’ve read earlier Hoffman, and I like her writing. Sometimes you know a writer by her style, but honestly, I couldn’t recognize this story as being written by her. Regardless, this is a well-written story with a clever and endearing character. I didn’t want it to end. Great ending, too. I’d love it if Hoffman would write a novel with Adeline as its star.
There were a few duplicate sentences; I’m assuming the errors were fixed before publication.
Check it out. It’s only $1.99 on Kindle (free with Prime). It’s money well spent.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy.
The title was a turn-off, as I assumed this short story would be a mom and daughter chummy-chummy love fest. 1, I’ve had enough of those Hallmark-y stories, and 2, I can’t relate. But boy was I wrong. This is a story about a nice girl with a bad mom. Mom and 12-year-old Adeline (named after a bar of soap) live on an isolated island off Massachusetts in the early 1900s. The story seemed like it could be set in any time period; not sure why it was the old days.
I’m not going to reveal anything about the story, other than to say we all wished mom would behave herself.
I’ve read earlier Hoffman, and I like her writing. Sometimes you know a writer by her style, but honestly, I couldn’t recognize this story as being written by her. Regardless, this is a well-written story with a clever and endearing character. I didn’t want it to end. Great ending, too. I’d love it if Hoffman would write a novel with Adeline as its star.
There were a few duplicate sentences; I’m assuming the errors were fixed before publication.
Check it out. It’s only $1.99 on Kindle (free with Prime). It’s money well spent.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy.
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