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Ann Richardson
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Celebrating Grandmothers: Grandmothers Talk about Their Lives Paperback – September 3, 2014

by Ann Richardson (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 26 ratings
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THE book for grandmothers about grandmothers and by grandmothers

Becoming a grandmother is both exciting and challenging. In Celebrating Grandmothers, 27 women describe – in their own words – how they responded to the many new pleasures and demands of being a grandmother. You will read about how their new role changed the texture of their lives, their family relationships and their sense of themselves.

Whether you find that being a grandmother is a source of great joy – or of some pain due to sheer distance or family problems – it will speak to you. And you will gain many good ideas about how to do the best for both your adult children and your grandchildren.

An original present for new and experienced grandmothers alike.

'Confirms, in a direct and delightful way, just how special the grandmother-grandchild relationship is....heart-warming’
Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall, author of The Good Granny Guide

'A book to warm your heart about being a grandparent. And one to reassure you that you’re not alone when you experience new relationships and complex family patterns.'
Virginia Ironside, agony aunt and novelist

about the author
Ann Richardson is an award-winning writer and grandmother. She has written two other narrative books: Wise Before their Time: People with AIDS and HIV talk about their lives and Life in a Hospice: reflections on caring for the dying.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    New Generation Publishing
  4. Publication date
    September 3, 2014
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 0.58 x 7.99 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1785070231
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1785070235
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ New Generation Publishing (September 3, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1785070231
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1785070235
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.58 x 7.99 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 26 ratings

About the author

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Ann Richardson

Ann Richardson

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I have been a writer for many years.

My most recent book, The Granny Who Stands on Her Head, comprises a series of reflections on growing older and is partly a memoir.

But I am fascinated by other people’s experiences, thoughts and emotions and have written three recent books where people express their views in their own words. These are:

i) Life in a Hospice, Foreword by Tony Benn, about what it is like to work in end-of-life care;

ii) Wise Before Their Time, Foreword by Sir Ian McKellen, about people living with HIV/AIDS in the early 1990s;

iii) Celebrating Grandmothers, about the joys and challenges of being a grandmother.

Website: http://www.annrichardson.co.uk.

Free fortnightly Substack newsletter: arichardson.substack.com.

I live in London, England with my husband of sixty years.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
26 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Christy Nicholas
5.0 out of 5 stars Catharsis
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2017
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This was an especially poignant read for me, as my grandmother passed away earlier this year. Through most of my adult life, I only contacted her occasionally, and of course I now regret that. However, I was blessed to have lived with her as a child and shared that part of my life with her. I am also glad I shared some of my artistic successes with her – she was an artist herself, and I wanted to ensure she knew that I continued that tradition and talent.

With that in mind, I went into reading this book girded for heartache, tears, and joy. I was not disappointed. The breadth of quotations is astounding and on point. Every person should read this book, whether they knew their grandparents at all or not, are grandparents themselves or not. It will have you in carthartic tears.
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Tami Urbanek
4.0 out of 5 stars Collection of stories
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2018
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Celebrating Grandmothers, by Ann Richardson is a nonfiction book with a collection of interviews from many grandmothers. The stories reflect how grandmothers see themselves, their role, their children and their children’s partners, and their grandchildren. It was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed reading different perspectives from grandmothers in a different place than the United States. I noticed that there were so many similarities to how grandmothers may feel here. Despite different cultures (some were from India and other places but reside in London), there was definitely a theme. Some were worried about their kids, their grandkids and the use of technology. I can certainly relate that those stories very well being a young grandmother myself. Technology seems to be taking over. Some had difficulty in emotionally connecting with their kids and grandkids. Some were very involved in the raising the grandkids. So many stories to sit down and read with a nice cup of coffee or tea, especially if you’re a grandmother.
The presentation in the book is professional and well put together. Very organized and a clear focus.
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Karen D. Austin
5.0 out of 5 stars Grandmothering is a complex, diverse, magical, and nuanced life stage.
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2017
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Richardson organizes quotes from 27 different grandmothers into common topics -- while still preserving each woman's unique experience and perspective on this life role. They do not talk about their grandchildren. This isn't a brag book. They talk about the roles, responsibilities, opportunities, challenges, and gifts that come with being a grandmother. The portrait is complex, diverse, nuanced, and full of wonder, insight and a little bit of magic. It was as though I was sitting in a counsel of wise women talking about this vital role within the extended family, within the circle of life.
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Allison P. Coudert
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful book, yes
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2016
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This is a wonderful book, yes, for grandmothers but not exclusively for them. It shows how important family bonds and the bonds between generations can be and thankfully often are. One of the problems of modernity is the that it places so many conflicting demands on individuals while offering so many distractions that we often forget where our true values lie. Ann Richardson’s book allows us to slow down a bit and take stock of how important nurturing relationships are for ourselves, our families, and the world at large.
One person found this helpful
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Brenchris
4.0 out of 5 stars Joy flooded my heart and I immediately started shopping for ...
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2017
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I never thought that a book about Grandmothers could be interesting, nor did I believe that such a topic could form a book, but the author achieved that with distinction.
The testimonies from grandmothers were varied and I could identify with a few.
In my own experience, I recall being taken unawares by a phone call from my son while I was abroad at a conference.
He called me ‘grandma’ when he addressed me at that time and I knew right away that he and my daughter-in-law were expecting a baby.
Joy flooded my heart and I immediately started shopping for baby stuff.
Although they are older now I still enjoy buying them stuff.
I will travel to any part of the world to spend time with them.
Being a grandmother is truly a blessing and an opportunity to create new memories with a new generation.
I enjoyed ‘Celebrating Grandmothers; and commend Ann Richardson for her skill in putting together these interviews from grandmothers.
Would have loved to read details about her own experiences too.
One person found this helpful
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Polly Grose
5.0 out of 5 stars Grandmother Joy
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2016
Ann, you have a real gift capturing the reader’s attention immediately. I respect your thorough research process and the style of the text. Exact quotations from Grandmothers gives trust and creates a bond between reader and participant. I will give my daughters in law your book for a holiday present. Best wishes, Polly Grose
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, touching testimonies from grandmothers
Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2015
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Beautiful, touching testimonies from grandmothers. The recordings are unedited and spontaneous. They can be read in any order. An enjoyable read for all, whether a grandma, a mom or a daughter!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect gift for Mother's Day!
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2016
Perfect Mother's gift for all moms! Ms. Richardson writes beautifully about the importance of taking time to value grandmothers and moms. Each story shares a moment in time to be treasured. Rarely do grandmothers get that special nod for all of their love, dedication and wisdom. Well worth the read!
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Top reviews from other countries

a reader
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 24, 2015
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I read this amazing book eagerly to find which part of 'being a grandmother ' was me, let alone 'the celebration'. I was not disappointed and bought another copy to give both away to friends who I felt were 'real grandmothers' I am a go between grandmother of one son and one grandchild who are not in touch with each other except by my love of both.
This book by Ann Richardson who I have now met and purchased another book replacing the one I gave away, is an amazing writer not getting in the way of her subjects and presenting a wide experience of being a Grandmother in other cultures and differing dilemas' of grand parenting that can speak to all who read it, something for everyone may I say even grandfathers!.I commend this easy read that be be picked up and put down and continued as time and emotion allows.
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SINGH
5.0 out of 5 stars DELIGHTFUL
Reviewed in France on December 4, 2014
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From its lovely cover to its last page, this book is a delight. A richly textured insight into the wide spectrum of feelings and experiences evoked by being a grandmother. It merits a wide audience.
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Julia Avery
5.0 out of 5 stars There is something in this book for everybody and it is a 'jolly good read'.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2014
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This compilation of reflections on being a grandmother is very insightful. Ann Richardson explores the fears and hopes, joys and sadness, beliefs and feelings of grandmothers from a broad range of backgrounds. It should be read not only by those newly honoured as grandparents or by those for whom it is a daily routine, but equally importantly by those of us who simply want to gain an understanding of their world. There is something in this book for everybody and it is a 'jolly good read'.
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Vicky Dearing
5.0 out of 5 stars an insight into the many different experiences of being a ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2014
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an insight into the many different experiences of being a grandmother - a really enjoyable book to dip into and hear their voices from different backgrounds - interesting reflections on the different relationships that need to be juggled - the author does not get in the way of allowing honest reflection to come through
the book gives an insight into the huge amount of hard work done by grandmothers for their families
a 'real' book version is going to my mum for Christmas!
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Sladesh
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest views on being a grandmother today
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2018
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Real grandmothers sharing their experiences and thoughts make this book an interesting and at times thought provoking read. The beauty is in the candid, honest nature of this book. A wonderful gift for a grandma-to-be.
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