I'm Supposed to Protect You from All This: A Memoir

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This memoir explores the intricate relationships between mothers and daughters across four generations, spanning Paris and New York. Nadja Spiegelman initially viewed her mother, art director Françoise Mouly, as a fairy, wielding a dazzling yet daunting influence over reality. As Nadja grew and her body began to change, their relationship became strained, echoing unresolved tensions from Françoise's own past. After college, Françoise opened up about her turbulent adolescence, caught between a volatile mother and a playboy father, a pioneering plastic surgeon in France. This revelation shifted the dynamic between them, as the weight of her mother's difficult stories allowed Françoise to reclaim her identity. In a reversal of her mother’s journey, Nadja moved to Paris, seeking to understand the woman her mother had escaped. Her grandmother's memories often contradicted her mother's, revealing a complex family history. Through this exploration, Nadja gained insight into how each generation reshapes the past to move forward, with their narratives serving as both weapon and defense. This poignant memoir resonates with readers, illuminating the paradox of familial love and the pain it can sometimes bring.