My Mother's Keeper

No matter whose side you're on (Dr. Phil always says, "No matter how flat you make a pancake, it has two sides"), this book tells a fascinating story, was very enjoyable to read, and gives a real-life view of what it was like to grow up with Bette Davis as a mother, with many entertaining anecdotes of life along the way (the first time B.D. met Joan Crawford is an amusing story). I don't think anyone can dispute that Bette had a narcissistic personality, and probably that was part of what made her a shining star in the film industry. I own a collection of Bette's old movies and I think she was perhaps the most talented actress of her time. But living with her in real life I'm sure was every bit as harrowing as B.D. describes. I've known people who have a personality just like the way B.D. portrays Bette, and I can tell you that you can tolerate just so much of having to humor them until you've had enough, and after nearly 40 years of her mother's antics, B.D. (and her family) had had enough, and publishing this book was probably something she needed to do to free herself mentally and emotionally, whether anyone believed or supported it or not. As for B.D. being spoiled, I'm sure she enjoyed and appreciated the gifts her mother showered upon her over the years, but it seems that she never asked for any of it and often didn't even want it. As an example, even after B.D. was married Bette sent her expensive clothes she didn't want nor had room in her closets for, but she didn't dare send them back because Bette would be offended and then it would be another exhausting ordeal to try and smooth over the rift. The gifts weren't about the money - they were about Bette's need to be loved and appreciated even though she knew she was hard to love, so that afterwards when Bette exhibited her typically unreasonable, offensive, and sometimes verbally and mentally abusive behavior, she could hold it over B.D.'s head, as in "how can you not give me your complete devotion and loyalty after all I've done for you." After B.D. was married she had hoped her mother would back off but that wasn't the case, and once her sons became old enough to be affected by Bette's abusive behavior, B.D. had to finally draw the line. I don't really care what B.D. and Jeremy did in regards to their finances after this book was published - that's none of my business. For me, the book stands on its own merits.

The book came speedy and as expected!

Intriguing, sadly relatable, this reads like a letter from a close friend.

Clearly this family had big problems and the author chose to vent them publicly. Personally, I thought it was mean-spirited to air all the dirty laundry about one's mother just because she was famous. The book has no literary merit on it own.The author claims the book was meant to communicate her genuine love for her mother but her mother was too self-absorbed to listen when she talked to her.No doubt Bette Davis wasn't easy to live with but I don't think she deserved this betrayal by her own daughter, a person that lived well, married well and had every advantage lavished on her.You can blame your parents until your twenty-one. After that...it's on you.

I believed everything B.D. was saying. Bette was a evil bitch. But whether she was her daughter or not, she needed to get away from her much sooner than what she did. Not only for her own self perservation, but everyone in the family. They didn't need to take her abuse. I loved Bette as a actress, but she was a controlling, nasty woman.

The book arrived and was in great shape! Thanks to all concerned

"A Lonely Life", Bette Davis' autobiography, is well worth reading. Her later book, "This and that" is mostly of value for its response to her daughter's book. "My Mother's Keeper", by Davis' daughter is simply ugly in its gross disregard of a very elderly woman struggling to recover from several strokes, cancer and a double mastectomy. And the comments about people in the film community, attributed by her daughter to her mother,living well-known personages at the time this was published, certainly could have been spared naming. I have no way to know the truth of any of this book. But I do believe this. No matter what B.D. Hyman hated in her mother, nothing excuses this grotesque public commentary about her, most particular at this vulnerable, sad time at the end of her highly productive life. If Ms. Hyman wanted to wade through hundreds of pages as some form of retribution self-therapy, I suppose it was cheaper than a psychiatric effort, and certainly more profitable to publish this bitter, truly hateful, document than simply separating herself from her mother's presence. I know also, that nowhere is the source of the Hyman income to live oh-so-luxuriously-carefree as the family of four did, as noted in the Hyman book. That makes one tend toward the belief the source of the endless income - as it was for other members of Bette's family - was from her. How is it Bette was so desperate for funds late in her life that she consented to work long past her prime in some awful films. Oh yes. I remember now, it was to feed her ego, not her relatives' balance sheets. Since BD married at age 16 and substituted a religious ministry supposedly for an advanced eductation or useful service, while her husband and his mother-in-law were apparently at odds for 19 years, it does not seem illogical to consider he may have written the book in his wife's name. Ugh. The book portrays them as long suffering, stunningly patient unfailingly caring in the face of endless destructive provocation. Yup. If you choose to read it, buy it on Amazon for a penny. That's more than it's worth.

I am such a fan of Bette Davis that even B.D. Hyman's account her her mother's conduct is laughable. Of course this legend was temperamental! She was a great actress! Bette Davis gave more to Hollywood than any other performer of her time, and it is only expected that she would have her bad moments in private. I read the whole thing "tongue in cheek"!

Haven't finished reading it yet. But so far so good.

Centainly, I expected a very boring and weak plot as I started reading the book, writing perfectly well by Bette Davis' Daughter, by the way... A book plenty of resentment; However, I have to say that I connected very soon with the vision of a girl who must endure her mother's cruelness. It should be tormently terrible to live and struggle the madness of a woman full of regrets and bitter experiences.Actually, I decided to buy the book where Bette Davis answered to her daughter, the famous This and That, where Bette Davis explains to the reader all those points that according to her were misleading by her daughter.It'd be such a thrill to receive which I think will be a wonderful and meaningful reading for me.Regards

if you like Hollywood and the stars of the old screen this is well worth a read. a great insight into one of our great stars and what a character! quite unbelievable and shocking in places, but a very good read.

Have always loved movies in which Bette Davis was the star--many titles come to mind It was wonderful to read of her family and the choice situations they found themselves in

Great thanks