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My Mother, Munchausen's and Me
- A True Story of Betrayal and a Shocking Family Secret
- Narrated by: Helen Naylor
- Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
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My Mother, Munchausen's and Me
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Summary
There was a time when I loved my mother. It’s shocking to imply that I stopped loving my mum because mothers always love their children and always do their best for them. Mothers are supposed to be good. But my mother wasn’t good.
Ten years ago, Helen Naylor discovered her mother, Elinor, had been faking debilitating illnesses for 30 years. After Elinor’s self-induced death, Helen found her diaries, which Elinor wrote daily for more than 50 years. The diaries reveal not only the inner workings of Elinor’s twisted mind and self-delusion, but also shocking revelations about Helen’s childhood.
Everything Helen knew about herself and her upbringing was founded on a lie. The unexplained accidents and days spent entirely on her own as a little girl, imagining herself climbing into the loft and disappearing into a different world, tell a story of neglect. As a teenager, her mother’s advice to Helen on her body and mental health speaks of dangerous manipulation.
With Elinor’s behavior becoming increasingly destructive, and Helen now herself a mother, she was left with a stark choice: to collude with Elinor’s lies or be accused of abandoning her.
My Mother, Munchausen’s and Me is a heartbreaking, honest, and brave account of a daughter unravelling the truth about her mother and herself. It’s a story of a stolen childhood, mental illness, and the redemptive power of breaking a complex and toxic bond.
What listeners say about My Mother, Munchausen's and Me
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ann
- 13-01-22
recommended
thanks for sharing your story. My mums main focus is her ailments and her self. I am glad I am not alone. I wish you the best .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- lou_2_you
- 01-12-21
Therapy in a book
I could have written this story. It was amazing and emotional to hear another woman experience what you had, think the same thoughts and feel the same turmoil. Calmly and beautifully read, a poignant story of a mother and a daughter, a daughter who wanted that loving relationship, but couldn't have it. Heartbreaking really. The positive is that we have learnt how not to do motherhood and surround our loved ones with warmth and compassion! Not enough is shared about mothers who damage their families. Glad this book is out there.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs Amanda Edwards
- 06-02-22
Totally Fascinating!
Excellent story, totally shocking as it's true. Well written and narrated. Well worth a read if you know someone like this, a real eye-opener.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Keith
- 31-12-21
An education
I learned so much about my own upbringing.
This book has explained so many of the issues of my upbringing and my mother's unusual and unexplainable behaviour.
Like a light being switched on. Nothing to the extent of ealanors behaviour but so many similarities. Thank you for recording all of the painful experiences.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Corinne F
- 06-12-21
A must read
Loved the book.
Hard hitting at times but beautifully written, MDP is a cruel illness not really talked about.. Its definitely opened my eyes to a world i had very little knowledge of.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- H
- 27-04-23
an incredible story
what a brave woman, and her heartbreaking story. i gave it 5 stars. incredible
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sally
- 16-02-22
Interestingly Sad
A compelling read - a brilliant insight into a complex world of family life and habitual lies and deceit surrounding fabricated parental illness.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- BessieRay
- 05-05-22
Worth a listen
I enjoyed it overall although I found it rather long drawn out. What a strange, awful and fascinating woman her mother was.
I found the repetitive references to being middle class a bit irritating as I don't feel it's a point that deserves so much emphasis in the context of the woman having this condition.
She was obviously very mentally ill and that's sad but I find other reviews berating the author for not being more sympathetic to her mother pretty judgemental, her daughter is totally entitled to her feelings based on her experiences and I hope she continues well on her healing journey.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jillian
- 15-02-22
The Appitomy of survival.
Very moving and unbelievably raw. Sadly recognising aspects of my own childhood and its complex dynamics. A sad waste of not living, to feed upon the thrill of I'll health and its medical attention.
We'll done Helen for sharing, surviving and living your best life. X
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ian W James/Kathy James
- 07-01-22
Familiar ?
Very illuminating listen. Some poignant parallels with my relationship with my mother. Great empathy with the author
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