My Old Sweetheart
My Old Sweetheart by Susanna Moore, published by Penguin Books in 1983, is a literary fiction novel that explores the complex relationship between mothers and daughters against the backdrop of Hawaii’s vivid landscape. The story follows Lily Shields, who grows up surrounded by the beauty of her native environment and the turmoil of her mother Anna’s mental struggles. As Lily transitions into adulthood and motherhood, she grapples with her connection to Anna’s tragic life, revealing the intricate dynamics of love and loyalty.
In this novel, Moore employs a naturalist’s perspective to depict the emotional landscape of her characters, particularly the despair and longing that define their relationships. Readers will find a rich exploration of themes such as familial bonds and the passage of time, all conveyed through evocative imagery and poignant storytelling. My Old Sweetheart, with its 211 pages, invites readers to reflect on the complexities of love and the enduring impact of the past.
Official synopsis Publisher
“Susanna Moore’s novel astonished me–one of those brilliant objects that come along only rarely, all light on clear water, and then one realizes the faster currents underneath, the terrible swiftness of sex and time. “
–Joan Didion
In this mesmerizing novel, Susanna Moore displays a naturalist’s eye for the landscape of her native Hawaii and an uncanny sensitivity to the despairing love between mothers and daughters. Lily Shields grows up amid the fragrance of night-jasmine and burning sugar cane, and the heady atmosphere of her mother’s madness. For if Anna Shields is an island unto herself–fragile, glamorous, and fearfully needy–Lily is the bridge that connects her to reality.
But now Lily is a young woman and a mother herself, self-exiled from Hawaii but still attached to Anna’s tragedy. And as she tries to untangle those threads of love and loyalty, Moore gives us a novel of shimmering beauty and sadness. My Old Sweetheart is a small classic, perfectly formed and mysteriously wise.
“Susanna Moore is a gifted and compelling novelist . . . in possession of her own unique voice.”
–The New York Times Book Review
“I can’t recall another novel like this about mothers and daughters. . . . Lily’s mysterious, half-told tale delighted and touched me.”
–Susan Lydon, Village Voice
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