How many of us, when young, viewed older generations as “clueless,” only to grow older ourselves and realize how impactful those elders were in our lives? My paternal grandmother was central in my life as a child. My grandparents lived a block from my family and with two working parents, I spent most of my non-school hours at their home. Looking back, I consider it a wonderful gift and I am trying to be a strong presence now as a grandmother. So I love books that explore the impact that older and younger generations can have on one another. Following are a few that I’ve enjoyed.
The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman. Emilia travels to Italy with her cousin and great-aunt presumably to break a centuries old curse on second daughters. She has been estranged from her quirky and unconventional great-aunt due to a longstanding feud with her grandmother. Risking her grandmother’s wrath, Emilia agrees to the trip. On the backdrop of wonderful descriptions of Italy, Emilia’s great-aunt slowly reveals secrets — imparting much wisdom in the process — that are both devastating and life affirming.
The Switch by Beth O’Leary had a fun storyline. Two women – a grandmother and her granddaughter — switch living situations as a way to shake up their lives a bit. Which they do in spades! It was wonderful to see them step into other than typical age-related roles – and to witness the understanding that grew from that.
Told in dual POVs between a mother and daughter — Jessica and Emily — on a college road trip tour, the “elder” protagonist in Abbi Waxman’s I Was Told It Would Get Easier isn’t yet “elderly,” but feels a gulf has emerged in their relationship that she doesn’t know how to bridge. Wisdom can come at any age, and different generations aren’t always as different as they seem. But first, they need to talk – really talk – to each other. A funny, witty and thoughtful story in which both mother and daughter change and grow.
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Anne Lyons was a very sweet, charming book. Eudora Honeysett is 85 years old, without family or friends, and feels she is done with life. She applies to a clinic in Switzerland to have a “good death on her own terms.” While the clinic reviews her application, a new family, with a 10-year-old daughter Rose move in next door. Rose is an irrepressible, quirky and positive ball of energy who befriends Eudora and another neighbor, recently widowed Stanley, as they engage in a series of life affirming adventures. With themes of living and dying, joy and sorrow, and connection and loneliness, this novel was sad at times but ultimately uplifting and hopeful.
In Boop and Eve’s Road Trip by Mary Helen Sheriff, three generations of secrets are revealed as a grandmother and granddaughter take a road trip to help a cousin in crisis. Eve is at a breaking point, no longer able to put her own dreams aside to fulfill her mother’s wishes for her. And Boop, understanding Eve’s distress intimately, knows finally telling her story may be the only way to help her. A wonderful heartwarming story about love, forgiveness and redemption.
Intergenerational stories serve to bridge differences and create understanding. They open our hearts and foster compassion. Do you have any favorites you’ve read?
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