Tessie and Pearlie: A Granddaughter's Story (Thorndike Large Print Basic Series)

Rating:
Summary: Made me laugh and cry--definitely a must-read
Review: Having known one of the grandmothers, it made the book much more real for me. Joy's portrayal of her grandmothers' lives is rich with the love and sorrow that each has endured. This book also tackles the issues of aging with a mature and realistic outlook. This has to be one of the most inspiring books I have read.

Rating:
Summary: As Bill Withers said, "I loved that old lady."
Review: Not since Bill Withers' song, "Grandma's Hands" has there been such a touching tribute to a "bubbe", the Yiddish word for grandmother. Or, in this lucky case, to BOTH her 90-something grandmothers. How I envied her the privilege, courage and perspicacity to ask these questions before it was too late! I shared many, many things with my beloved grandmother, but I wish with all my heart that I had done what Joy Horowitz did in "Tessie and Pearlie", to search out and record the stories of her grandmothers' lives, what made them who they are, what their lives mean to her own life, to her children's lives. Joy Horowitz did, indeed, build an amazing, bittersweet bridge between her family's past and future and created a truly precious legacy for her own children and subsequent generations of her family. Especially when one is young, it is very often difficult to let go of the irritations and inconsistencies you see in your parents and grandparents and really communicate with them. It is usually in middle age that the sense of one's mortality overcomes these quibbles and by then, for most, it is too late for grandparents. If you are now fortunate enough to have a living grandmother, seize the moment. Read this book, put on Bill Withers and cry and - and then go call her up and ask and ask and listen and listen. Then write it down for posterity and marvel at the blessing.

Rating:
Summary: As Bill Withers said, "I loved that old lady."
Review: Not since Bill Withers' song, "Grandma's Hands" has there been such a touching tribute to a "bubbe", the Yiddish word for grandmother. Or, in this lucky case, to BOTH her 90-something grandmothers. How I envied her the privilege, courage and perspicacity to ask these questions before it was too late! I shared many, many things with my beloved grandmother, but I wish with all my heart that I had done what Joy Horowitz did in "Tessie and Pearlie", to search out and record the stories of her grandmothers' lives, what made them who they are, what their lives mean to her own life, to her children's lives. Joy Horowitz did, indeed, build an amazing, bittersweet bridge between her family's past and future and created a truly precious legacy for her own children and subsequent generations of her family. Especially when one is young, it is very often difficult to let go of the irritations and inconsistencies you see in your parents and grandparents and really communicate with them. It is usually in middle age that the sense of one's mortality overcomes these quibbles and by then, for most, it is too late for grandparents. If you are now fortunate enough to have a living grandmother, seize the moment. Read this book, put on Bill Withers and cry and - and then go call her up and ask and ask and listen and listen. Then write it down for posterity and marvel at the blessing.

Rating:
Summary: Pure, pure enjoyment
Review: One of my all-time favorites. Absolutely addictive. Many thanks to the author.