Everything My Mother Taught Me (Inheritance collection)

4.2 | 12,710 ratings

Price: 1.99

Last update: 12-25-2024

About this item

In this haunting short story of loyalty and betrayal, a young woman in early 1900s Massachusetts discovers that in navigating her treacherous coming-of-age, she must find her voice first.

For fatefully observant Adeline, growing up carries an ominous warning from her adulterous mother: don’t say a word. Adeline vows to never speak again. But that’s not her only secret. After her mother takes a housekeeping job at a lighthouse off the tip of Cape Ann, a local woman vanishes. The key to the mystery lies with Adeline, the silent witness. New York Times bestselling author of The Rules of Magic Alice Hoffman crafts a beautiful, heart-wrenching short story.

Alice Hoffman’s Everything My Mother Taught Me is part of Inheritance, a collection of five stories about secrets, unspoken desires, and dangerous revelations between loved ones. Each piece can be read or listened to in a single setting. By yourself, behind closed doors, or shared with someone you trust.

brian

Typical great Hoffman writing in a condensed space

Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2024

Great characterization, moving plot and opportunity to root for and against characters in a Hoffman short form. Read this piece.

Susan

So Much More That Needs to be Told

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024

I guess we can all learn from our mother's behaviors, whether it be to model after her, or to dismiss everything she ever stood for. Adeline knew at a very early age that her mother had ruined her father's life and is now ready to ruin hers. Dad has passed away and her mother must find a way to sustain her life and her daughter's (reluctantly) and in 1903, it is not easy to find a new career. Without spoilers, I cannot give up much more other than to let the reader know that although this woman has been incredibly hostile to all of those around her, Adeline soon learns exactly what she must do.

k odonnell

Great short story

Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2024

I very much enjoyed this short story. I would have loved a longer rendition, a full length novel, am sure.

Lethea J. Garrett

Just Desserts

Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2024

A short story about deception, mistreatment, domestic abuse, and revenge.

A mother who only loved herself with a thing husband, and a12-year old daughter, focus on her wants, needs, and desires no matter who she hurts. To only be smarter by her daughter.

A book that shows how we develop the mental acuity of our children and what the child makes if their situation.

Bobbie Hayes

really well written

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2024

I didn't realize when I got the book how short it was I would've loved it to go on for longer because it was so well written and really grabbed my interest. I'm just glad I had the opportunity to be able to read it.

PRETTY27

Good short story

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024

This story was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I don't want to give spoilers, but I'll just say I'm glad it ended the way it did.

Country Roads

Not mother of the year material

Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2023

Everything Adeline's mother had taught her was to lie, cheat, deceive and keep quiet. Adeline did just the one thing her mother had told her to do, for Adeline to keep quiet. To honor the death of her father, Adeline did just that, stopped talking. She could have told the police what her mother and Mr. Grump were planning. But she let them show their true colors. I think the moral of the story was that you don't have to say a word and people could hear you loud and clear. I really like these short stories by Alice Hoffman. As an exceptional author, Alice can say in 28 pages what some authors have to write in 500 pages to say. Thank you Alice.

Stephanie C.

Short impactful story

Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2023

TW: infidelity, parent death

Adeline faced with her fathers death and her mothers unfaithfulness decides to become a mute by choice in order to honor her fathers death and do right by him as her mother continues her adulterous and family breaking ways.

This novella was gorgeous, so short but so beautifully written and so much happened in so few pages.

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Everything My Mother Taught Me (Inheritance collection)

About this item

Top reviews from the United States

Best Sellers in

The Strange Visitation at Wolffe Hall (Kindle Single) (Grayson Sherbrooke's Otherworldly Adventures Book 1)

Snowflakes (Hush collection)

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