Spirals

April 1, 1988
At once intensely personal and universal, Gould's book goes beyond the memorable pieces she has contributed to the New York Times "Hers'' column. She describes her life as a daughter, wife, mother, widow and grandmother in prose that is exquisitely simple, unsentimental and powerfully moving. After 28 years of a loving marriage, her husband Martin succumbed to cancer and her life changed irrevocably; the ``spirals'' continued as her children grew up and she was no longer so necessary to them. Although Gould celebrates the frequent joys of her life's journey, it's clear that she has suffered wounds, particularly in the sterile relationship with her mother. The scenes between them convey a deep sense of loss. Trying to understand why her mother merely tolerates her, Gould concludes that mother love is a talent abundant in some women, denied others. It is a talent she herself possesses, along with the strength to live and work on her own.

July 6, 1989
``At once intensely personal and universal, Gould's book goes beyond the memorable pieces she has contributed to the New York Times 's `Hers' column. She describes her life as a daughter, wife, mother, widow and grandmother in prose that is exquisitely simple, unsentimental and powerfully moving,'' reported PW.

April 1, 1988
In this excellent book Gould focuses on her deepest feelings, as she shares what it means to be a daughter, wife, mother, mother-in-law, widow, and grandmother. She likens this progress through life to a spiral, rather than a straight line or a circle. Gould's poignant meditations are well written and touch universal themes. Although Gould discusses her husband's death to cancer, she doesn't dwell on being a wife and widow; rather she discusses the many roles of a woman throughout her adult life. Still, readers who enjoyed books like Lynn Caine's Widow (1974) will enjoy Spirals. Recommended for public libraries and women's studies collections. Susan A. McBride, L.R.C., Northeast Texas Community Coll., Mt. Pleasant

Copyright 1988 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.