Last updated on October 6, 2020
Glitter and Glue is a memoir by Kelly Corrigan. In this memoir, Kelly explores the role of motherhood and mothering.
Kelly’s first experience of mothering happens in Australia, on her trip around the world. She gets a job as nanny for a family finding their way after the recent death of the wife/mother. She takes care of Martin and Millie and gets a glimpse into what it will be like to be a mother someday. We see Kellie develop an appreciation for her own mother and for the importance of her mother’s role in the family, that of the glue.
When faced with challenges, be it cancer or parenting, it’s her mother that she calls for. She’s always had a great relationship with her easy-going father, but then she realizes that her mother is the one that does the hard work so that her father could have that cheerleader role. The same was true of my grandmother, who I lived with until almost a teenager. She did the molding and the disciplining when I was a child. My grandfather was the fun one who bought me treats and thought I was the best. I never doubted that they both loved me, but their roles were very clearly defined.
Anyone can enjoy this book, but it may especially appeal to people interested in motherhood. It made me consider my relationship with my parents and grandparents. The idea that you can love someone and not like them or like them but not love them resonates with me. I think that this can apply to the same person at different periods of time.
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