Elissa Altman Livres

Elissa and Rita have long struggled to find their place in each other's lives. Rita, a makeup-addicted, narcissistic singer from Manhattan, contrasts sharply with her daughter Elissa, a reserved gay writer from New England. Caught in a tumultuous cycle of codependency, they are unable to detach from one another. Their story unfolds as a kaleidoscopic exploration of mother-daughter love, moral obligation, and the potential for healing. After enduring a difficult childhood with her mother, Elissa has settled in Connecticut with her wife of nearly twenty years. Through therapy and time, she has carved out a healthy, independent life while maintaining a cautious distance from Rita. This equilibrium is shattered when Rita suffers a debilitating fall, rendering her dependent on Elissa. Faced with her mother's desperate need for beauty, her past obsession with men, lost fame, addiction, and financial mysteries tied to her quest for youth, Elissa must navigate their complex shared history. She grapples with the challenges of caregiving, aging, and the intense, co-dependent love that has characterized their relationship. The narrative poses a poignant question: How much love is too much love?