Title: Diary of a Stage Mother’s Daughter: A Memoir
Author: Melissa Francis
First published January 1, 2012
304 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781602861725 (ISBN10: 1602861722)
Rating: 3.69
Overview
If you loved “The Glass Castle” and “The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,” then “Diary of a Stage Mother’s Daughter” by Melissa Francis is the perfect memoir for you. As a young child actress, Melissa won the role of a lifetime on the world-renowned show “Little House on the Prairie.” However, behind the glitz and glamour, her success was driven by the pride, pressure, and sometimes cruel actions of her stage mother.
In this fascinating account of life as a child star in the 1980s, Melissa opens up about her family’s struggles and the dangers of a highly competitive “tiger mother.” As a mother herself now, Melissa reflects on the value of pushing your children and the fine line between helping and harming them. This memoir is a raw and honest meditation on motherhood, ambition, and the cost of fame.
About the Author
MELISSA FRANCIS, who shares her name with other authors, is a Harvard University graduate from southern California. She has an extensive background in broadcast journalism, having anchored multiple shows on CNBC, contributed to the “Today” show and “Weekend Today” show, and currently hosts two business shows on the Fox Business Network.
Melissa resides in New York City with her spouse and two children.
Editoral Review
Melissa Francis, the author of “Diary of a Stage Mother’s Daughter: A Memoir,” tells a harrowing tale of a childhood spent in the entertainment industry. The book, first published on January 1, 2012, is a part of the memoir genre and recounts the author’s experiences growing up as a child actor and the impact it had on her life.
The book starts with Melissa as a child, living with her family in California. Her mother, a former beauty queen, is obsessed with turning her daughter into a star.
Melissa’s childhood is filled with auditions, callbacks, and long hours spent rehearsing. Her mother is cruel, manipulative, and abusive, and Melissa is forced to endure physical and emotional abuse in the pursuit of her mother’s dream.
The author skillfully writes about the psychological toll of growing up in an environment where her mother’s obsession with fame and success takes precedence over her well-being. The book explores themes of identity, childhood trauma, and the search for self-worth.
The author’s writing is honest, raw, and intimate. She unflinchingly recounts the traumatic events of her childhood, and the reader is left feeling the weight of the emotional pain that she experienced.
The character development is strong, and the author’s portrayal of her abusive mother is both chilling and heartbreaking.
One of the strengths of the book is its pacing. The author balances the intense and emotional moments with lighter, more reflective passages.
The reader is given time to process and reflect on the events, which adds to the impact of the story. The author also provides historical context by discussing the entertainment industry in the 1980s and 1990s, giving the reader a better understanding of the cultural significance of her experiences.
However, the book is not without its flaws. The author occasionally jumps between timelines, which can be confusing for the reader.
Some of the events are also repetitive, which can make the book feel longer than it needs to be.
Despite its flaws, “Diary of a Stage Mother’s Daughter: A Memoir” is a powerful and important book that sheds light on the dark side of the entertainment industry. The author’s courage in sharing her story is admirable, and her writing is both engaging and thought-provoking.
This book would be perfect for anyone interested in the memoir genre, or anyone who wants to better understand the impact of childhood trauma.
Overall, I would score “Diary of a Stage Mother’s Daughter: A Memoir” a 4 out of 5. The book’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a compelling and emotional read.
