From Library Journal
One of the most powerful and influential of human relationships is between parent and child. In Mothers and Daughters and Fathers and Sons, anthologist Manguel explores this complex bond through a number of international writers, some well known and others less so. Manguel is the editor of six literary anthologies and author of A History of Reading (LJ 7/96). In Mothers and Daughters he includes short stories from such notables as Daphne du Maurier, Louise Erdrich, and Katherine Mansfield. These stories reveal women struggling to understand and adjust to their roles in that most mysterious of human relationships. In "Rachel and Her Children" Frances Newman tells of a mother who, after being pushed aside by her beautiful and socially prominent daughter, cherishes her increased status since the daughter's death. Fathers and Sons features such writers as William Faulkner, Steven Crane, Franz Kafka, Bruno Schulz, and Ben Okri. The typical male themes of war, sports, and the outdoors appear but along with more unusual and introspective pieces. For example, in "Aghwee the Sky Monster" by Kenzaburo Oe, a young composer is haunted by the enlarged vision of his dead infant son. These stories are valuable for the insight they bring to the parent/child relationship and for the broad representation of writers included. Strongly recommended for all public libraries.ANancy R. Ives, SUNY at Geneseo
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
