First published 2016
George Hodgman trades Manhattan for Paris, Missouri when his mother Betty needs help. He discovers himself cast as an unlikely caregiver who can barely cook without disaster. Betty proves a formidable opponent with sharp wit and iron determination. George hopes to convince her that assisted living makes sense. Betty refuses to budge from the house she loves, where her husband's presence still feels real and family memories fill every room. Between them lies an unspoken truth that colors every interaction. Betty cannot accept that her son is gay, though she has always known. George fights for her safety while seeking the respect and acceptance that has eluded him. Their clash brings together two different worlds as George navigates between small town Missouri and the glamorous halls of Vanity Fair magazine. The story reveals how a crumbling but vibrant community shapes both their lives. Mother and son must find common ground while honoring what each values most.
Genres: literary-fiction, memoir, biography-memoir, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Manhattan, Paris, Missouri
Period: 21st-century
288 pages · Paperback · Penguin Publishing Group
Content warnings: mental-illness