Everything My Mother Taught Me - Alice Hoffman

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Author: Alice Hoffman

Genre: Short Story
Rating: 4.25 stars.

An amazing short story, part of the Inheritance collection and available on KU.

Adeline is a twelve year old who decides to stop talking after her adulterous mother Nora shows no signs of changing her behaviour after the death of her husband and Adeline’s father. When her lovers fail to support her, Nora takes up a housekeeping job in a remote lighthouse. But the change in circumstances doesn’t change her behaviour and Adeline, while still quiet, observes the happenings and starts making her own plans.

I don’t want to reveal much of the story beyond this point because it is just a short story and it needs to be read and relished.

This story is set in 1908 and the location is an island in Essex county, north of Boston. The writing captures the remote setting and the era well. But even more captivating than the atmosphere is the dynamic of the relationships in the story. Nora’s lack of empathy towards her own daughter is more than compensated by the strong feelings that Julie, one of the keeper’s wives, has for the young girl.

Within just 25-30 pages, Ms. Hoffman develops a masterful story, one that I simply couldn’t keep aside. It has all the hallmarks of a great short tale – a clear plot structure, fluid development, an impactful beginning-middle-end, quick pace, and a perfect ending that doesn’t go over the top.

Well worth the read because it is excellent!

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