Customer Reviews

I Remember Mama: Play in Two Acts

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"I Remember Mama" is a delightful book, a fond remembrance of "Mama" with all her strengths and weaknesses. It has all the charm of a bygone era when families seemed to be more cohesive and life may have had its ups and downs, but the family always pulled together. The book is written from the viewpoint of the eldest daughter, and looks back lovingly at Mama's life and how she did her best for her family. There are those occasional moments of epiphany when the daughter, now grown, realizes the adult reasons her mother had for making the choices she made, and understands the love that motivated them. I would put this book in the same category as "Cheaper by the Dozen", "Belles on Their Toes", "Mama's Bank Account", "Life With Father", and "Life With Mother", because all of these books show the ups and downs of family life in a simpler age, but with kindness and good humour. They allow the reader to be entertained, educated, and uplifted without a heavy tone or obscure references, and give the impression that it is still possible to have a happy, close family, even in these modern times.

Kathryn Forbes' "I Remember Mama" is a classic tale of Norwegian newcomers on the west coast, which became a long-running, highly popular tv series as well as a movie. The central figure is the wise, loving, enduring matriarch of the clan. Supremely happy in her new home, she proudly says, "I am a San Franciscan." Surrounded by sisters and cousins and other relatives from the old country, as so many immigrant families were at that time, she raises her own brood in changing times.

The book portrays family unity, love and laughter rising above hardships. Children will enjoy this book as much as adult readers, as it speaks to the best in immigrant experience.

I purchased this to look at because I was writing about another fascinating "Mama." I forgot what a wonderful story it is. It's about an era most of us have forgotten or never knew. I loved it, as I loved the movie which saw when I was quite young. It is a touching story of the influence this woman had on her family. We should all have this kind of mother. Too bad we don't. Read "Dancing in the Dark: Things My Mother Never Told Me" and you will find the story of an entirely different mother.

I read this book with my teacher and classmates. I would, first of all, reccomend this book to teachers to read with their class, because it is a play, and it is fun to read with a lot of children. There are a lot of things we can learn from the book. Except an occasional swear word ( this is the reason I only gave the book 4 stars), It is a very good book.

The book is about a family who was very poor. Some of the very important characters are: Mama- who is a very smart person, who counts every penny papa (her husband) brings home from work. Katrien- one of Mama's daughters whose dream is to become a writer when she grows up. Lars, Christine, & Dagmar- Mama's other children. Jenny, Sigrid, & Trina- Mama's sisters. Uncle Chris- Moma's brother, who is also the "head" of the family. Mr.Thorkleson- Trina's husband to be. These I think are the most important characters in the book.

It is kind of hard to understand at first, but you'll get get used to it. Happy Reading!

I foolishly ordered this item believing it to be the collection of short stories by Kathryn Forbes. I did not discover my goof until delivery. The error was entirely mine, but the Amazon page for I REMEMBER MAMA does not prominently announce that this is the STAGE PLAY SCRIPT, not the original short story collection.

I saw the movie many years ago, one of my all time favorites. Loved the book. Read the book then see the movie, their both worth the time.

This book was advertised as an actual book and I received a thin play about the book. I was very disappointed.