Rating: 
Summary: Extremely helpful
Review: I recently ran across this book at the place I'm volunteering, and had to check it out. I read it, and was unbelievably affected by it. My mom died in a car accident when I was nine (I'm twenty now), and this book struck many chords with me. Above all, it was wonderful to be able to hear that I'm not the only one who has gone through many of the experiences that I've had. I've been extremely blessed with many wonderful friends who have listened to me and supported me. I've also had a wonderful aunt who stepped in and tried to mother me as best she could (I'll always be grateful). However, I've never had any other close friends who lost their mothers. This book helped fill some of the void that comes from having no one to relate to, no one else who understands what you're going through.A few other reviewers have said that they felt that this book portrayed motherless daughters as victims, something they didn't appreciate. I disagree. One of the points of the book was to discuss some of the unique aspects of being a motherless daughter; many of the results of such a loss are obviously going to be negative. However, I appreciated learning about a lot of the difficulties that many women in my situation face; it was nice to know that I'm not alone, and nice to have some clue of what those in a different situation than mine have faced. I actually found that reading about these problems was helpful; I could look at these difficulties, say, "Okay, here's some of what I'll face/am facing," and gave me the strength to know that it's doable. It also made me appreciate many of the strengths that I have had, such as a supportive, available father and friends who are willing to listen even when they don't completely understand. This book may not be for everyone, but I found it to be very healing and helpful in understanding some of what has gone on in my life for the last eleven years.
Rating:
Summary: A great book for healing a broken heart of a daughter.
Review: I read this book when I was 19, after realizing I needed to deal with my mothers death. I was freshly 16 and mad at the world, she died and 3 months later, my father passed on also. This book helped open my mind to feelings that I held on to because of the pain I felt. I cried almost every page I read, and realized I was not alone. I look at the world now with light and happiness, 6 years after she left this earth. I give a lot of credit to writers who care enough to write with their hearts. I Thank all those who shared their painfull and unique stories. You are all strong people with a message for life. God Bless you!!! Keep it positive!
Rating: 
Summary: I can empathize with those who were not helped by this book
Review: I was 15, my mother died of a heart-attack and it was unexpected. Many of the women in this book knew their mothers into adulthood and after putting this book down I was extremely disappointed that the author had not sought out a larger cross-section of the grieving public, and that she had transplanted grieving daughters into the culture of victimhood for lack of a better place to put us sociologically. It's been 11 years now, and having read this book 3 years ago, I am surprised to feel as healed as I do. Yes, losing one's mother is awful and leaves a void (especially if the two of you got along and it was a nurturing relationship as it was with my mom and obviously the author's mom), but get a grip and get back into your life and start living it again! Occasionally feeling empty and wanting your mother to be there is normal, you are not a victim of something cosmic or karmic or whatever, you're just part of nature and death occurs in nature with alarming frequency. If you lost your mother at a young age, it would be good to skip this book and just seek professional help if you are having difficulties.
Rating:
Summary: A must-read for all motherless daughters.
Review: This book addresses so many aspects of mother loss. It discusses various relationships and situations that all motherless daughters encounter. I highy recommend this book to all those who have lost their mother through death or abndoment.
Rating:
Summary: This book was my first step in a life changing process.
Review: Seven years after my mother's death, I realized that I needed some help. This book was my first step towards healing and acceptance. I learned so much about myself. I no longer wonder if I am the only one who is jealous of people around me who still have their mothers. I am not alone. I am now in therapy for dealing with this loss and ones that have occurred since. But THIS book started a little crack in the ice that is leading to a new life of healing and acceptance. Thank you, Hope. Thank you.
Rating: 
Summary: I was 16, not 32; it was heart disease, not cancer.
Review: I lost my mother at the age of 16 on 12/24/98. This book was recommended to me by a lady saying it would help me, it didn't. In fact, it made me scared to have kids from the accounts of other womens' horror stories of trying to raise thier childeren after they had lost thier mother. Hope Edelman had lost her mother to cancer, as did seem a lot of the other women. She didnt touch down on other diseases besides cancer and also sucide. My mother died of a form of heart disease. It was mentioned only a couple of times. It was hard to read knowing that is Edelman's opion, Motherless Daughters will never heal. That they carry pain with them for the rest of thier lives. As true as it may be, it has severly put a negative outlook on my oun mouring. And for the record, childern can mourn just as long if not more than adults. And it hurts just as much. No matter how old you are.........
Rating:
Summary: Very well done; very real.
Review: Anyone woman who lost a mother, especially at an early age, will most likely find a lot of comfort and insight in this book. It is not sappy, and it doesn't gloss over stuff. I recommend it to all women who have experienced this loss, and also to those family/friends who love these women, so they will be less alone while in the process of coping with the loss of a mother.
Rating:
Summary: Unique. This book is a friend for every motherless daughter.
Review: Hope's honesty about her own situation, obvious love and respect for the women who shared their experiences and feelings with her, and the appropriate academic research which have gone into this "Motherless Daughters", make it an immeasurably valuable book for every woman who has lost her mother. I was 30 when I first read "Motherless Daughters", and 4 years later I still re-read parts of it when certain mood or memories catch up with me. I just know that in its pages I'm not alone, that there are women out there who know what I'm feeling, and that I'm not crazy because a death of 19 years ago still has an impact on my life. Thanks, Hope .... I've always thought that your mother named you beautifully.
Rating:
Summary: A "must read" for all motherless daughters.
Review: I lost my mother when I was 8 years old. I never knew that this loss was responsible for what I became as an adult until I read Hope's book. I finally understood why I felt so different and odd. Thanks, Hope, for enlightening me and for allowing me to feel normal.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for those who have lost thier mothers
Review: I picked this book up to read inthe car on the way home from a vacation trip and cried nearly all the way home. I could have written this book having lost my mother at the age of 17 and suddenly become mom to my 3 younger brothers and help my dad to get things done. The auther helps you to let out all those feelings from way down deep. You know you aren't alone.
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