Ma Speaks Up
And a First-Generation Daughter Talks Back

I listened to this, having heard the author read from it at an event. She did the audio book as well. I love her voice and style. This is a story lovingly and artfully told. It's very honest, often funny, often moving. Very glad to have had this glimpse of the complicated relationship between two re......more

This is a unique memoir, but don’t ask me specifically why it’s so unique. For days, I’ve been trying to figure that out. It must simply be Marianne Leone's own voice that makes it so special, particularly as contemporary memoirs go. I also wonder if a reader might need to be of a “certain age” to t......more

This was an interesting read for me because I don't think I've read a mother-daughter memoir that was so honest as Ma Speaks Up. Marianne Leone is an entertaining writer and I enjoyed her book, her relationship with her mother was kind of sad though. I'm really close to my Mom so parts of this book......more

This book actually made me angry. When I chose to read this I figured this was going to be right up my alley. Nope. I was never as spoiled and selfish as this woman was. I would never have thought to talk to my mother or any of my family in this manner. I am a daughter of a first generation Italian......more