I received an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review

A lyrically-crafted story, flows more like an old Celtic legend than a novel, about a fascinating woman. The trope of the taciturn child writing about her horrible celebrity mother has well been worn, but this book feels fresh, and I enjoyed every bit of it. Makes me want to go back and read her earlier bucks

Thank you NetGalley and W.W. Norton and Company for the eARC.
Norah is recalling her mother Katherine O'Dell's legendary stage and film career and what it was like to grow up with her. It's a beautiful book; sad, poignant and ultimately uplifting to me. Her mother was a star loved by many in Ireland and as far as Hollywood, mesmerizing as both an actress as well as a singer. Norah felt much loved by her mum, and was a quiet spectator of her stage performances as well as the many parties taking place in their home.
When Katherine descends into madness and eventually a harrowing death and the care Norah takes of her brought tears to my eyes. The descriptions of life in 1970's and '80's Dublin, full of writers, directors and artists, was an eye opener. The painful direction Catherine's life took because of her art, the getting older as an actress and the way it sucked the life out of her life made me glad I never had the urge to take to the stage!
A very stark and insightful look into the 'glamorous ' life of the arts and the way it affects the protagonists and the people in their orbit. Fascinating, lyrical and definitely recommended, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.