Book Review -- Not Becoming My Mother

Not Becoming My Mother: and Other Things She Taught Me Along the Way by Ruth Reichl

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars



My most vivid memory of Ruth Reichl’s Comfort Me with Apples, is when her mother poisoned of nearly all of the guests at her brother's wedding reception. It was black comedy at it’s finest. Stories like these permeate Reichl’s books and have become known as “Mim Tales.”

Her latest book (or extended essay in hardback) is devoted to her mother’s memory. Miriam Brudno was born before her time – a woman who dreamed of becoming a doctor, but was confined to society’s restrictions on what a woman could achieve. It was decided by her parents that an education in music was more appropriate and a job operating a book store more proper, oh, and by the way, she really, really, needed to get married. Thus her life becomes an internal battle and the casualties a long the way include herself and her own children.

I love all of Ruth Reichl’s books. This is no exception. It is a testament to what we take for granted, what we can achieve, and that dreams should never be sacrificed.


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