A Reason to See You Again

Jami Attenberg's "A Reason to See You Again" resonated deeply. If you’ve grappled with family dynamics, loss, and the enduring quest for maternal love, this book will speak to you. This poignant, multi-generational saga of the Cohen (ahem, ahem) family is a masterclass in storytelling, weaving together themes of grief, ambition, and unbreakable family bonds with heart-wrenching honesty.

At the novel's core is the portrayal of Frieda, an overbearing Jewish mother whose grief transforms her into a shadow of her former self. Attenberg's depiction of Frieda's descent into a boozy existence in Miami is raw and painfully authentic. With unflinching clarity, how a mother's inability to nurture in the wake of loss can ripple through generations, leaving her children forever chasing the specter of maternal love they never fully experienced.

The novel brilliantly explores how this void shapes the lives of sisters Shelly and Nancy. Their divergent paths—Shelly's immersion in the tech world and Nancy's early marriage—are beautifully rendered. Attenberg's insight into how we try to "repair and make up for the mother we wanted and never had" struck a nerve and stuck with me after the last page.

Critics of the book highlight its episodic nature and how she quickly glosses over major moments. These criticisms, for me, were its strengths. I loved how she left so much open to interpretation, how I could plug in my own grief, my own reflections, to understand what happened in what was unwritten. I didn’t need Attenberg to show me the depths of the internal struggles; I’ve been there; I can fill in the blanks.

This is not just a must-read; it's a must-feel. And reading it during the High Holy Days was just way too fitting. I will recommend this book to anyone who will listen.

Reviews at: https://judgemebymycover.substack.com/