An American 19th century author and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau once said, “Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” I think it kind of makes sense. In her memoir, “Anywhere But Here” Mona Simpson wrote about the travels she has taken with her mother , Adele who constantly had to keep moving in search of the illusive ideal place she could call home. Simpson recalled how she was sent to her grandmother’s house whenever her mother got mad at her. During her stay at her grandmother’s house, she had asked her grandmother about what her mother was like as a little girl. Her grandmother said, “ Oh, there was always something not quite right about her. Something a little off. She wasn’t quite all there.” Simpson’s grandmother also said, “I think even when she was real small, there was always something missing.” And Simpson’s grandmother is referring to the woman who has given birth to the visionary and icon, Steve Jobs. The book is about the relationship between Mona Simpson and her mother and the characters come alive in a meandering plot. There is a film adaptation based on the novel. Natalie Portman and Susan Sarandon acted in the movie.
Bookaholic Macchiato 