Member-only story

River Could Be Tree: A Memoir of Loss, Love, and Redefining Family

Clark Campbell

·3.7k Followers· Follow

Published in A River Could Be A Tree: A Memoir

4 min read

583 View Claps

42 Respond

Save

Listen

Jeannette Walls's memoir, River Could Be Tree, is a poignant and moving exploration of the complex relationship between a mother and daughter. Walls's mother, Rose Mary Walls, was a brilliant but troubled woman who struggled with alcoholism and homelessness, yet she was also a loving and creative mother. Walls's memoir is a moving and honest portrait of a mother-daughter relationship that was both deeply flawed and profoundly loving.

A River Could Be a Tree: A Memoir

by Angela Himsel

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2182 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	300 pages

The book begins with Walls's childhood in West Virginia. Her father was a geologist and her mother was a teacher, but the family was poor and often homeless. Walls and her siblings often had to fend for themselves, and they learned to rely on each other for support. Despite the challenges they faced, Walls's childhood was also filled with love and laughter. Her mother was a talented storyteller, and she often shared her love of nature with her children.

As Walls grew older, her relationship with her mother became more strained. Rose Mary's alcoholism worsened, and she often disappeared for days or even weeks at a time. Walls and her siblings were left to care for themselves, and they often worried about their mother's well-being. Despite the difficulties, Walls never stopped loving her mother. She knew that Rose Mary was a good person who was struggling with a difficult disease.

In River Could Be Tree, Walls writes about her mother with both love and compassion. She does not shy away from the difficult aspects of their relationship, but she also celebrates the love and joy that they shared. Walls's memoir is a moving and honest portrait of a mother-daughter relationship that is both deeply flawed and profoundly loving.

River Could Be Tree is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled with a difficult family relationship. Walls's memoir is a reminder that even the most imperfect relationships can be filled with love and laughter. It is also a reminder that we should never give up on the people we love, even when they are struggling with addiction or other difficult challenges.

A Photograph Of Jeannette Walls, The Author Of River Could Be Tree, Standing In A Forest. She Is Wearing A Blue Dress And Has Long, Dark Hair. She Is Smiling And Looking At The Camera. A River Could Be A Tree: A Memoir