Mother of Mine

About this book

Four Matriarchs. Numerous Genres. One Unforgettable Story.What if you could tell your family's story through the lens of a different literary world for every woman who shaped you? In Mother of Mine, Altia Bend does exactly that, transforming the traditional memoir into a high-concept "literary kaleidoscope."To capture the vibrant, complex spirits of the women in her life, hailing from Guyana, Barbados, and Puerto Rico, Bend assigns each mother figure genres that mirror her soul. Whether it's a fast-paced comedic-play, a thriller, or an Odyssey-style epic poem, the genre shifts as the focus moves between her mother, stepmother, grandmother, and stepgrandmother.Through this inventive structure, Bend explores the humor and the heart within her Caribbean and South American roots. Written from a place of adult understanding and deep reflection, Mother of Mine is a witty, light-hearted celebration of the women who raised her, acknowledging that when it comes to family, no single perspective is ever enough to tell the whole story.A genre-bending masterclass in matriarchy that is as inventive as it is heartfelt.