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Grandmothers: Essays by 21st-century Grandmothers
An anthology of essays by twenty-four Australian women, edited by Helen Elliott, about the many aspects of being a grandmother in the 21st century. It seems so different from the experience we had of our grandmothers. Although perhaps the human essential, love, hasn't shifted much? In thoughtful, provoking, uncompromising writing, a broad range of women reflect on vastly diverse experiences. This period of a woman's life, a continuation and culmination, is as defining as any other and the words 'grand' and 'mother' rearrange and realign themselves into bright focus.
The contributors- Stephanie Alexander, Maggie Beer, Judith Brett, Jane Caro, Elizabeth Cheung, Cresside Collette, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Helen Garner, Anastasia Gonis, Glenda Guest, Katherine Hattam, Celestine Hitiura Vaite, Yvette Holt, Cheryl Kernot, Ramona Koval, Alison Lester, Joan London, Jenny Macklin, Auntie Daphnie Milward, Mona Mobarek, Carol Raye and Gillian Triggs.
The contributors- Stephanie Alexander, Maggie Beer, Judith Brett, Jane Caro, Elizabeth Cheung, Cresside Collette, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Helen Garner, Anastasia Gonis, Glenda Guest, Katherine Hattam, Celestine Hitiura Vaite, Yvette Holt, Cheryl Kernot, Ramona Koval, Alison Lester, Joan London, Jenny Macklin, Auntie Daphnie Milward, Mona Mobarek, Carol Raye and Gillian Triggs.
265 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 22, 2020
4.5★s
Grandmothers is a compilation of essays by 21st Century grandmothers. They muse on being grandmothers, share many anecdotes about grandchildren and memories of their own grandmothers. Editor Helen Elliott previews aspects of what the twenty-two contributors, from all walks of life, write about. Helen Garner shares snippets that illustrate the part that three grandchildren play in her life. Ali Cobby Eckermann offers beautiful verse and the perspective of a stolen generation child and grandmother.
Jane Caro tells us a grandmother’s love is blind and that grandchildren represent our only chance at immortality. Auntie Daphne Milward is grandmother to many as she passes on the knowledge of traditional owners to schoolkids and teachers, and describes how Aboriginal children are endowed with many grandmothers. Glenda Guest describes the challenge of forging a connection to an only grandchild over limited contact.
Elizabeth Chong is one of twenty-three grandchildren and grandmother of five, and notes the difference between contemporary and traditional Chinese grandmothering. Alison Lester describes the emotional intensity that grandchildren bring. Gillian Triggs reflects on how much more likely it is that a contemporary grandmother will be a (much needed) activist, than her own grandmother, given their better health and greater freedom and autonomy.
Maggie Beer is ever grateful to her paternal grandmother who showed her no affection, but certainly passed on to her the cooking gene that still runs in the family, through to her own grandchildren. Ramona Koval wonders about the traditions no longer being passed on by grandmothers, and worries about the environmental legacy we are leaving for our grandchildren. Yvette Holt is a grandmother of three who sorely misses them every moment they’re apart, tells of the great grandmother whose strength prevented three motherless children from being separated.
Judith Brett shares fond memories of times at her grandmother’s farm, and her gifts of unconditional love and an interest in lived history which she now tries to foster in her own grandchildren. Jenny Macklin on the hardiness of two grandmothers born in the 19th Century whom she never got to know, and grandmothers who inspired action for social change during her political career.
Cresside Collette was effectively raise by her loving, nurturing and fiercely disciplinarian grandmother in Ceylon and later Australia, and hopes to teach her grandchildren the love of embroidering fostered by this amazing woman. Celestine Hitiura Vaite shares the joy of learning one’s children are about to become parents, and having extended family close by.
Anastasia Gonis quietly shelves her ambition for a writer’s retreat in the White House in Greece, planning to be an onlooker in her grandchild’s life - until he arrives. She concludes that a grandmother makes a necessary and valuable contribution to family. Katherine Hattam reflects on being a grandmother at a remove in this age of technology, and achieving a work/family balance.
Carol Raye concludes the contribution of grandparents to family life, while not a necessity, is certainly an asset. Cheryl Kernot describes twenty-first Century intergenerational living. Mona Mobarek confirms the old Egyptian saying that “The dearest child is the child of your child”, and adds that your grandchild is your child twice over. Stephanie Alexander describes aspects of being a later-in-life grandmother.
And Joan London concludes “Perhaps it is one of the functions of a grandparent, to remind children of the ages of man. For them, we are the frontline representatives of what it means to be old. And, more than likely, in the future, it will be us who will furnish our grandchildren with their first experience of death.”
There is plenty of joy and laughter, mixed with some sadness and regret and, as you would expect from grandmothers, many wise words. Common to most is the observation that now, having more time, patience and energy than when they were mothers, they’re much better at grandmothering. The length of the essays makes this a perfect compilation to be read in small doses, and this funny, moving and inspirational collection will appeal especially to readers with grandchildren.
This unbiased review is from a copy provided by Text Publishing
Grandmothers is a compilation of essays by 21st Century grandmothers. They muse on being grandmothers, share many anecdotes about grandchildren and memories of their own grandmothers. Editor Helen Elliott previews aspects of what the twenty-two contributors, from all walks of life, write about. Helen Garner shares snippets that illustrate the part that three grandchildren play in her life. Ali Cobby Eckermann offers beautiful verse and the perspective of a stolen generation child and grandmother.
Jane Caro tells us a grandmother’s love is blind and that grandchildren represent our only chance at immortality. Auntie Daphne Milward is grandmother to many as she passes on the knowledge of traditional owners to schoolkids and teachers, and describes how Aboriginal children are endowed with many grandmothers. Glenda Guest describes the challenge of forging a connection to an only grandchild over limited contact.
Elizabeth Chong is one of twenty-three grandchildren and grandmother of five, and notes the difference between contemporary and traditional Chinese grandmothering. Alison Lester describes the emotional intensity that grandchildren bring. Gillian Triggs reflects on how much more likely it is that a contemporary grandmother will be a (much needed) activist, than her own grandmother, given their better health and greater freedom and autonomy.
Maggie Beer is ever grateful to her paternal grandmother who showed her no affection, but certainly passed on to her the cooking gene that still runs in the family, through to her own grandchildren. Ramona Koval wonders about the traditions no longer being passed on by grandmothers, and worries about the environmental legacy we are leaving for our grandchildren. Yvette Holt is a grandmother of three who sorely misses them every moment they’re apart, tells of the great grandmother whose strength prevented three motherless children from being separated.
Judith Brett shares fond memories of times at her grandmother’s farm, and her gifts of unconditional love and an interest in lived history which she now tries to foster in her own grandchildren. Jenny Macklin on the hardiness of two grandmothers born in the 19th Century whom she never got to know, and grandmothers who inspired action for social change during her political career.
Cresside Collette was effectively raise by her loving, nurturing and fiercely disciplinarian grandmother in Ceylon and later Australia, and hopes to teach her grandchildren the love of embroidering fostered by this amazing woman. Celestine Hitiura Vaite shares the joy of learning one’s children are about to become parents, and having extended family close by.
Anastasia Gonis quietly shelves her ambition for a writer’s retreat in the White House in Greece, planning to be an onlooker in her grandchild’s life - until he arrives. She concludes that a grandmother makes a necessary and valuable contribution to family. Katherine Hattam reflects on being a grandmother at a remove in this age of technology, and achieving a work/family balance.
Carol Raye concludes the contribution of grandparents to family life, while not a necessity, is certainly an asset. Cheryl Kernot describes twenty-first Century intergenerational living. Mona Mobarek confirms the old Egyptian saying that “The dearest child is the child of your child”, and adds that your grandchild is your child twice over. Stephanie Alexander describes aspects of being a later-in-life grandmother.
And Joan London concludes “Perhaps it is one of the functions of a grandparent, to remind children of the ages of man. For them, we are the frontline representatives of what it means to be old. And, more than likely, in the future, it will be us who will furnish our grandchildren with their first experience of death.”
There is plenty of joy and laughter, mixed with some sadness and regret and, as you would expect from grandmothers, many wise words. Common to most is the observation that now, having more time, patience and energy than when they were mothers, they’re much better at grandmothering. The length of the essays makes this a perfect compilation to be read in small doses, and this funny, moving and inspirational collection will appeal especially to readers with grandchildren.
This unbiased review is from a copy provided by Text Publishing
May 12, 2020
Grandmotherhood is quite a fraught condition in these Covid times. That’s how I feel, a peculiar mix of wanting to see them in the flesh and thinking, not yet please. Whatever else, it’s a time when grandchildren are always in our thoughts.
This recently published collection of essays about being a grandmother by women living in Australia is such a consoling read. There are well known names among them. I liked the variety of emotional responses, experiences and backgrounds. The authors’ own grandmothers are often part of the reflection. Being mothers themselves is sometimes added to the perspective. All essays were very readable and well written.
We’re all different is my conclusion, not surprising really, when you know everyone brings a unique life experience to their own way of being a grandmother. I loved my grandma dearly, her death was my first experience of terrible grief. Long live grandmothers!
This recently published collection of essays about being a grandmother by women living in Australia is such a consoling read. There are well known names among them. I liked the variety of emotional responses, experiences and backgrounds. The authors’ own grandmothers are often part of the reflection. Being mothers themselves is sometimes added to the perspective. All essays were very readable and well written.
We’re all different is my conclusion, not surprising really, when you know everyone brings a unique life experience to their own way of being a grandmother. I loved my grandma dearly, her death was my first experience of terrible grief. Long live grandmothers!
October 30, 2023
‘If nothing is going well, call your Grandmother.’
This was a delightful collection of beautiful stories from a diverse group of women who share their stories and feelings about their grandchildren, their own grandmothers and the role we play connecting families through these memories. Truly wonderful 💖
This was a delightful collection of beautiful stories from a diverse group of women who share their stories and feelings about their grandchildren, their own grandmothers and the role we play connecting families through these memories. Truly wonderful 💖
June 7, 2020
This collection of essays about being a grandmother was given to me by my brother to mark a recent birthday. It was a delightful revelation from start to finish as twenty-three independent women shared their experiences of being grandmothers and what this opportunity had come to mean to and for them.
I found it very engaging - nodding silently at times as different comments and observations resonated with me.
The quality of writing was very impressive and the rich accounts led me to have moments where I would find myself reflecting quietly about my own experiences as a grandmother to two beautiful grandchildren.
I had not badgered or even hankered to be a grandmother but as I read these expressions of what it meant for some other women to become a grandmother, I found myself contemplating what becoming a grandparent has meant to me and I have read on with unwavering interest from the first to the last account.
A truly delightful and inspiring read especially if you are a grandmother or about to become one.
I found it very engaging - nodding silently at times as different comments and observations resonated with me.
The quality of writing was very impressive and the rich accounts led me to have moments where I would find myself reflecting quietly about my own experiences as a grandmother to two beautiful grandchildren.
I had not badgered or even hankered to be a grandmother but as I read these expressions of what it meant for some other women to become a grandmother, I found myself contemplating what becoming a grandparent has meant to me and I have read on with unwavering interest from the first to the last account.
A truly delightful and inspiring read especially if you are a grandmother or about to become one.
July 29, 2020
I was given this book by my sister who, in turn, had been given it by her son for Mother's Day. We are both grandmothers with different experiences of grandmotherhood. And that is the case for the grandmothers who contributed essays to this book. They are very personal reflections, some focussing on the grandchildren and others taking a broader view, especially the Australian indigenous grandmothers, who feel the sense of loss that the 'stolen generation' engendered.
However, no matter the focus, the overwhelming impression is that of the importance of grandmothers in maintaining the continuity of family love and the contribution they can make to their grandchildrens' sense of self and place.
However, no matter the focus, the overwhelming impression is that of the importance of grandmothers in maintaining the continuity of family love and the contribution they can make to their grandchildrens' sense of self and place.
October 9, 2020
As a young woman I found this book really opened my eyes to generations past, present, and future. It made me start thinking about what kind of world I want to shape for my future children, the people I want in their lives. It caused me to reflect on the positive and negative influence my own grandparents had on me, it made me conscious of how the shortcoming of others has taught me just as much about how I want to live my live vs. how I don’t.
It is an excellent, and thought provoking read for everyone. Personally I found the stand out essays to be by: Helen Garner, Jane Caro, and Auntie Daphne Milward
It is an excellent, and thought provoking read for everyone. Personally I found the stand out essays to be by: Helen Garner, Jane Caro, and Auntie Daphne Milward
October 30, 2021
This collection of essays by 23 grandmothers has much to say to any reader. The rich and varied stories provoke thoughts of families, love, influence, sacrifice, duty, generosity, and many more of life's big issues. While grandmothers are placed in the centre of five generations, their memories often reach back another two, which makes them a great source of family history and traditions. The grandmothers are such widely different people, from widely different backgrounds and cultures, that even the least satisfying contributions have something important to say. I recommend giving each one the time and space to make it's own impression on you.
March 19, 2024
While I’m not normally one for reading an anthology of essays - I really enjoyed Grandmothers. 24 essays (more like short stories) by highly accomplished and celebrated Australian women exploring the meaning of grandmother-hood and their relationships with their very much loved grandchildren. The most consistent theme throughout these very different stories is that grandmothers of now are the first generation of grandmothers who are well educated, well traveled and independently successful. This in itself has a huge impact on their interpretation of the role of grandmother and how they will nourish, support and influence the next generation.
July 25, 2020
The essays of some contributors (Joan London, in particular) rang so true it was as if I had written them myself. However, some contributors seemed to grasp this as an opportunity to promote themselves and their achievements (e.g. Jenny Macklin) which I found disappointing and frankly, boring.
As a relatively new grand mother I was interested to hear the experiences of others of my generation and found I had a lot in common with many of them.
I really enjoyed this book in many ways.
As a relatively new grand mother I was interested to hear the experiences of others of my generation and found I had a lot in common with many of them.
I really enjoyed this book in many ways.
May 23, 2021
As a relatively new grandmother still feeling my way I really enjoyed this collection of varied vignettes. All different, from different cultures and perspectives. The only view missing was one similar to my own - a stepmother grandmother, in a complicated modern family situation where our adored grandson has multiple other grandparents. His mother at her wedding had 7 “grandparents” present from her side of the family alone, which could have stretched to 9. Tricky waters to navigate!
May 1, 2020
Excellent read. Nice little essays - about 22 of them, all Australian grandmothers in simple English. Essays from multiple ethnicities. Very easy to read and each of the essay is about 6 to 8 pages and once you read that, you enter in their life ! Life full of love, satisfaction and wisdom.
May 19, 2020
This was a delightful read, although I felt by the end that it had become a bit repetitive. Helen Garner's contribution was highly insightful and I loved the indigenous contributors who gave a welcome change of perspective.
June 5, 2020
Loved this book of essays!
The role of grandmother has changed over the years and these essays are insightful, thought provoking and joyful. As a relatively new grandmother I could relate to much of what was written.
The role of grandmother has changed over the years and these essays are insightful, thought provoking and joyful. As a relatively new grandmother I could relate to much of what was written.
May 28, 2022
Lent o me by a friend on my becoming a grandmother, this book contains a range of responses by women to that stage of their lives. While I did not see my own circumstances reflected in any one of them, I enjoyed the diversity of emotional and cultural experiences they talked about.
June 7, 2020
I dipped in and out of this book reading just a few.
June 21, 2020
I enjoyed these essays that were written from a wide range of personal experiences.
January 24, 2021
LOVED a few of these short stories, esp Helen Garner and Alison Lester's
August 24, 2021
Really enjoyed the diverse experiences of the essayists in this book, remembering both their own grandmothers, as well as being a grandmother themselves.
August 27, 2024
worth while reading - nice easy "chapters". some I can relate to. enlightening.
September 1, 2025
I was able to red this delightful anthology of essays from the perspective of being a grandmother myself. ‘The writers are grandmothers that range from the stolen generation, to survivors of the Holocaust, to step-grandmothers and grand parenting from a range of cultures. Each story resonates with the power of Love. This is a power to love and be loved - one that many people who have received a gift of faith will resonate with, at a deeper level. As well as helping me to reflect on my own grandmothers, the grandparenting of my own mother and my own capacity to be ‘grandma’, this book as encompassed for me the foundations of the Christian Christian story, which celebrates the birth of the Saviour of the world. Hope, Peace, Joy, Love - all the qualities that grandmothers discover....’ and the greatest of these is love’ (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews