You Don't Have to Say You Love Me
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Book Overview
A searing, deeply moving memoir about family, love, loss, and forgiveness from the critically acclaimed, bestselling National Book Award-winning author of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Family relationships are never simple. But Sherman Alexie's bond with his mother Lillian was more complex than most. She plunged her family into chaos with a drinking habit, but shed her addiction when it was on the brink of costing her everything. She survived a violent past, but created an elaborate facade to hide the truth. She selflessly cared for strangers, but was often incapable of showering her children with the affection that they so desperately craved. She wanted a better life for her son, but it was only by leaving her behind that he could hope to achieve it. It's these contradictions that made Lillian Alexie a beautiful, mercurial, abusive, intelligent, complicated, and very human woman. When she passed away, the incongruities that defined his mother shook Sherman and his remembrance of her. Grappling with the haunting ghosts of the past in the wake of loss, he responded the only way he knew how: he wrote. The result is a stunning memoir filled with raw, angry, funny, profane, tender memories of a childhood few can imagine, much less survive. An unflinching and unforgettable remembrance, You Don't Have to Say You Love Me is a powerful, deeply felt account of a complicated relationship.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:031627075X
ISBN13:9780316270755
Release Date:June 2017
Publisher:Little Brown and Company
Length:464 Pages
Weight:1.64 lbs.
Dimensions:1.5" x 6.4" x 9.6"
Customer Reviews
3 ratings
Powerful, dark, stripped bare, cuts the bone and still warms the soul w Alexie’s smart humor
Published by VinkyLu07 , 14 days ago
There are few books you can say that you are better for having read them. This is one. With this memoire most people will have experienced something totally new, life on a reservation for our Natives and their children. The deep poverty, abuse, shame and issues caused by hundreds of years of genocide and oppression and mental health issues, alcohol and physical abuse and how these Native families survive as the survivors of residential schools w mass beatings, rape and murder from our government and church leaders. These are incredible people and Sherman has such talent and strength to tell his family’s story which is such a big part of our country’s story but you won’t read it in the history books. Thank you Sherman for your authenticity and ability to tell a soul touching story that brings people together to read esp at young ages.
One of the most readable, important books I’ve read this year!
Published by Beth , 10 months ago
Sherman Alexis Open part of a life, we don’t know. Remind us through truth and his American experience how hard growing up is a poverty stricken Indian child. His writing is as impeccable as his story is heart wrenching. This Memoir is necessary for every American to read. The Included poetry is brilliant and I’ve never been one for poetry, but he includes it as another window into his story.
oof
Published by rats , 1 year ago
it's well written and an enjoyable read. didn't drag at all
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