My Mother, Munchausen's and Me: A true story of betrayal and a shocking family secret

· Thread
4.2
25 reviews
Ebook
340
Pages

About this ebook

As seen on This Morning

 

There was a time when I loved my mother. It’s shocking to imply that I stopped loving her because mothers always love their children and always do their best for them. Mothers are supposed to be good. But my mother wasn’t good.

 

Ten years ago, Helen Naylor discovered her mother, Elinor, had been faking debilitating illnesses for thirty years. After Elinor’s self-induced death, Helen found her diaries, which Elinor wrote daily for over fifty years. The diaries reveal not only the inner workings of Elinor’s twisted mind and self-delusion, but also shocking revelations about Helen’s childhood.

 

Everything Helen knew about herself and her upbringing was founded on a lie. The unexplained accidents and days spent entirely on her own as a little girl, imagining herself climbing into the loft and disappearing into a different world, tell a story of neglect. As a teenager, her mother’s advice to Helen on her body and mental health speaks of dangerous manipulation.

 

With Elinor’s behaviour becoming increasingly destructive, and Helen now herself a mother, she was left with a stark choice: to collude with Elinor’s lies or be accused of abandoning her.

 

My Mother, Munchausen’s and Me is a heart-breaking, honest and brave account of a daughter unravelling the truth about her mother and herself. It’s a story of a stolen childhood, mental illness, and the redemptive power of breaking a complex and toxic bond.

 

What readers are saying about My Mother, Munchausen’s and Me:

 

An absolute roller coaster ride of emotions!!!!... heartbreakingclear your schedules as you won't be able to put it down. It will leave you absolutely shocked … If you read one biography this year make sure this is the one!!!... I LOVED it.’ Bookworm86

 

‘I cannot even. Absolutely blew my mindcried buckets of tears.’ NetGalley reviewer

 

Wow just wow… fascinating… heart wrenchingabsolutely unrealMy heart absolutely broke for Helen… incredibly moving.’ Booksandcoffeewithlexi

 

Absolutely amazing. I was hooked from the first page!… gave so many insights and relatable experiences… such a good book!’ Goodreads reviewer

 

‘A fascinating account.’ The Times

 

I devoured this book in a couple sittings as I was captivated right from the beginning... gripping.’ Goodreads reviewer

 

‘I seriously don't know where to start... I'm absolutely staggeredastounding and heartbreaking.’ Book.lover67

 

My heart broke... I was hooked throughout this entire read…emotional and eye opening.’ Goodreads reviewer

 

Genuinely left me flabbergasted…. It was a complete page turner… really opens your eyes.’ Goodreads reviewer

 

Wow. I did not want to put this down…consumed much of my thoughts in the past few dayswhat a powerful story.’ Bitesbooksbrews

 

Eye openingdifficult to put downwonderful.’ Little Miss Book Lover 87

Ratings and reviews

4.2
25 reviews
James William Beasley
December 2, 2021
Enjoyed the book.
8 people found this review helpful

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