by Laura Dern
First published 2023
Laura Dern opens up about the most personal conversations of her life with her mother, legendary actress Diane Ladd. When Diane faces a sudden life-threatening illness, her doctor orders long walks to rebuild her lung capacity. Laura discovers that getting her mother talking helps distract from the physical challenge. Their walks become the setting for conversations that break down traditional mother-daughter boundaries. They discuss love, sex, marriage, divorce, art, ambition, and legacy with unprecedented honesty. Laura shares these exchanges alongside reflections, family photos, recipes, and personal mementos. The book reveals how two accomplished actresses, who spent careers exploring characters' deepest fears and desires, turn that same intensity toward understanding each other. Their willingness to speak difficult truths transforms their already close relationship into something deeper.
Genres: memoir, non-fiction, biography-memoir, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
256 pages · Hardcover · Grand Central Publishing