Marzipan and Magnolias

Marzipan and Magnolias

$10.00 AUD

Availability: in stock at our Melbourne warehouse.

NB: This is a secondhand book in very good condition. See our FAQs for more information. Please note that the jacket image is indicative only. A description of our secondhand books is not always available. Please contact us if you have a question about this title.
Author: Elizabeth Lancaster (Elizabeth Lancaster)

Format: Paperback

Number of Pages: 224


The winner of the 2010 Finch Memoir Prize is a beguiling, sensitive and humorous story of a young woman's difficult relationship with her emotionally distant, and somewhat eccentric mother whilst hiding the early signs of her own incurable illness. the winner of the 2010 Finch Memoir Prize is a beguiling, sensitive and humorous story of a young woman's difficult relationship with her emotionally distant, and somewhat eccentric mother - whilst hiding the early signs of her own incurable illness. Elizabeth Lancaster's memoir is the winner of the Finch Memoir Prize, which attracted seventy-five submissions in its first year. Selected for its 'literary quality', MARZIPAN AND MAGNOLIAS was applauded for the author's warm and humorous portrayal of her relationship with her mother and the onset of her own unexpected illness. Struggling to escape from the unconventional and slightly eccentric nature of her mother Helen, Elizabeth travels overseas, where she meets thomas, who is German. Learning to live apart from her family, Elizabeth knows if she continues her relationship with thomas and stays overseas, Helen's reaction will be icy. Nevertheless she and thomas decide to get married and live in Berlin. Inevitably the relationship with her mother is fractured. It is in Berlin, while eating marzipan, that Elizabeth experiences her first symptoms of the disease that is developing within her and will several years to diagnose: multiple sclerosis. Upon their return to Australia, Elizabeth's relationship with Helen thaws over a mutual love of gardening. However, thomas is unexpectedly transferred to New York and Elizabeth has no sooner arrived then she has to pack up and start all over again in a new country. Her relationship with her mother disintegrates, to the point where Helen does not tell Elizabeth that her father has died. In New York Elizabeth is formally diagnosed with MS but decides not to tell her mother. then the family is once again transferred back to Australia. Elizabeth feels powerless, subject to the whim of thomas's employer and to her own medical condition, not to mention the sporadic withdrawal of her mother's affection. Back in Australia, Elizabeth is hospitalised with an attack of MS and Helen is finally told. It takes all of Elizabeth's will power not to submit to the role of invalid and Helen's need to control her. In coming to terms with her illness Elizabeth also manages to accept her mother for who she is and finds some peace in their relationship.


Format: Paperback
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Description
NB: This is a secondhand book in very good condition. See our FAQs for more information. Please note that the jacket image is indicative only. A description of our secondhand books is not always available. Please contact us if you have a question about this title.
Author: Elizabeth Lancaster (Elizabeth Lancaster)

Format: Paperback

Number of Pages: 224


The winner of the 2010 Finch Memoir Prize is a beguiling, sensitive and humorous story of a young woman's difficult relationship with her emotionally distant, and somewhat eccentric mother whilst hiding the early signs of her own incurable illness. the winner of the 2010 Finch Memoir Prize is a beguiling, sensitive and humorous story of a young woman's difficult relationship with her emotionally distant, and somewhat eccentric mother - whilst hiding the early signs of her own incurable illness. Elizabeth Lancaster's memoir is the winner of the Finch Memoir Prize, which attracted seventy-five submissions in its first year. Selected for its 'literary quality', MARZIPAN AND MAGNOLIAS was applauded for the author's warm and humorous portrayal of her relationship with her mother and the onset of her own unexpected illness. Struggling to escape from the unconventional and slightly eccentric nature of her mother Helen, Elizabeth travels overseas, where she meets thomas, who is German. Learning to live apart from her family, Elizabeth knows if she continues her relationship with thomas and stays overseas, Helen's reaction will be icy. Nevertheless she and thomas decide to get married and live in Berlin. Inevitably the relationship with her mother is fractured. It is in Berlin, while eating marzipan, that Elizabeth experiences her first symptoms of the disease that is developing within her and will several years to diagnose: multiple sclerosis. Upon their return to Australia, Elizabeth's relationship with Helen thaws over a mutual love of gardening. However, thomas is unexpectedly transferred to New York and Elizabeth has no sooner arrived then she has to pack up and start all over again in a new country. Her relationship with her mother disintegrates, to the point where Helen does not tell Elizabeth that her father has died. In New York Elizabeth is formally diagnosed with MS but decides not to tell her mother. then the family is once again transferred back to Australia. Elizabeth feels powerless, subject to the whim of thomas's employer and to her own medical condition, not to mention the sporadic withdrawal of her mother's affection. Back in Australia, Elizabeth is hospitalised with an attack of MS and Helen is finally told. It takes all of Elizabeth's will power not to submit to the role of invalid and Helen's need to control her. In coming to terms with her illness Elizabeth also manages to accept her mother for who she is and finds some peace in their relationship.