The Sirens’ Song
Author Interview
Mediterranean Mothers: Masters of Guilt shares with readers the entertaining stories of Mediterranean matriarchs and their families in a memoir children (of all ages) can relate to. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Maria: My entire life, anyone that knew me and then met my family was left with mouth agape and the utterance: you have to write a book about your family – it will be a sitcom success. Not sure it’s a compliment.
John: As my partner said, the book essentially tells the story of our heritage and, more particularly, our moms and aunts. And, yes, the stories are all true.
What were some of the ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
The complex relationships in families are related to culture, generation gaps, gender roles, and regionalism. The conflict between indoctrination of familial ties with asserting the independence of ideas and values is mania-inducing – yet these obligations pull you in like the Sirens’ song, unable to escape inevitable doom.
What Is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
Don’t worry about what other people say; take your shot when you have a chance to do something you want to do.
…and, beware of Greeks, with or without gifts…
What is one thing readers take away from your story?
Every day gives you a new chance to smile.
Maria and Nick know that only too well. The two teachers swap stories about their respective mothers and aunts, who have employed tears and sorrow the way a surgeon uses a scalpel. They gift their tormentors a trip to California, but ironically the ladies wind up on the same flight, where they become instant friends, and the world suddenly gets turned upside down.
If you have kids, if you were a kid—whatever your ethnic background—you will laugh, sigh, and shake your head as you share this adventure with Maria and Nick and their Mediterranean Mothers!!
Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/05/19/the-sirens-song/
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