Comments on The Multi-Shaded Palette of The Book Club Ladies

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Great post, Azur. In many ways this character reminded me of my DIL who died this last December, leaving her three children with only memories of how special she was to them in spite of her bi-polar peculiarities.

posted by TAPS. on April 2, 2008 at 11:45 AM | link to this | reply

Azur

I am so with you! There are so many ways to be 'a good mother' That painting she gave her kids was sooo valuable that it cannot be put into words! I am in a Book Club that has been going for 13 years! I don't think I have missed a single one... it is so important as a writer to go to book club and learn

. I really like you!

posted by KaBooM62 on April 1, 2008 at 6:58 PM | link to this | reply

I've not read the book, but I can't say that I agree that mothers should

give their children everything they need and want. Sometimes women are far harder on other women than anyone. This book sounds like a good example. I'll have to check it out.

Glad you're feeling better!

posted by FineYoungSinger on March 31, 2008 at 9:52 AM | link to this | reply

Thanks for pointing out this post. Having only experienced mild

depression and having no children, I can't of course compare to speak the lady in the book. I have known some amazing creative people who were bipolar, and as long as those who live with them can handle them and more importantly, as long as they can handle themselves and not take their lives in the process of a meltdown, I say who are we to judge? Check out the movie Mr. Jones sometimes...it's an interesting character portrayal of such a man.

posted by Ariala on March 30, 2008 at 3:56 PM | link to this | reply

My mother was an artist, always pointing out colors and beauty and

lights and shadows, making us think. They'd probably say she was a terrible mother because we had no money, but she made sure we went to school and read and thought. She lived in fear that we'd go hungry, fear made her a screamer. It took 50 years to figure out what it was that caused it, so I've learned to accept her neuroses and breakdowns for what they were. And I'm grateful now that she taught me to be observant, to appreciate all the little gifts life brings every day. As you describe her, the mother in your book is a fabulous example of success. Your book club friends have been too fortunate, too sheltered, to appreciate this.

posted by Pat_B on March 30, 2008 at 10:42 AM | link to this | reply

Judge ye not. Who is to know what works best, I don't know of any handbooks. It might have been a real treat to be with her. Parents who are ill have a different bond with a child than those who are not ill. I know this first hand from having been a doting parent to one of needing my kids to help me survive the first few years of my illness. My daughter never really had a high school life the last two years but she is still a wonderful, beautiful caring person who may be a little better off had she not had this experience. sam

posted by sam444 on March 30, 2008 at 8:09 AM | link to this | reply

Children of artists certainly have a different life, but a much more inspiring one than they could ever have with the 6pm carrots. I agree with your views. Thanks for your comment on "Africa" my dear fellow traveller.

posted by vogue on March 30, 2008 at 3:30 AM | link to this | reply

Creativity and motherhood, conundrum, agony, joy, different.

My children thought that spending time with mom meant helping her to sand her wooden things for her mobiles. Spending time with mom meant running free through the street fair while Mom manned her booth and forgot of their existence until they pulled on her skirt saying that they were hungry and needed more money or some food from the cooler.

Spending time with mom meant waking me up, "Wake up, Mom, it's time to make breakfast and take the baby, we're off to school." I taught them to make their own breakfasts so as to get just a few more minutes sleep as I had been up all night doing my artwork to pay the rent.

Spending time with mom was so different in our house, but, I loved them no less than other mothers, wanted them in my life no less, taught them what I could to survive, to thrive....curiosity, research, hard work, marketing yourself or your product....not the normal mom skills, but vital in their way.

Bult, going over that with strangers is tiresome and I sound wildly neglectful when I do speak, so I don't speak.

Funny how one book is seven different books in a book club.

posted by benzinha on March 29, 2008 at 7:52 PM | link to this | reply

Sounds like a good book!

A rose

and a smile