Mother Load is a collection of memoir, inner monologue, poetry, and short story which let readers in on some of the realities of mothering from the 1940s to the early 2000?s. This kaleidoscope of courageous, sometimes raw, sometimes loving, narratives bring to the surface the tensions that haunt mothering relationships across generations. The pieces paint pictures of mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, and friends. Grief, anger, and loss are here as well as insights, perspective, and gratitude. Moreover, the silence in these relationships has been highlighted: what was assumed, what was unquestioned or undiscussable, what was too shameful or painful to be put into words. The women whose work is collected here differ from one another in a myriad of ways: family history and geographical location, class and racial identity, and education. But the unity among them lies in their commitment to reflection and to the desire to go closer to their own histories and those of their families, and to express the truths of their lives and their experiences. In telling these stories lies hope for better.

O'Donnell is an engaging, clear writer and combines autobiographical and historical details to effectively illustrate the historical experience of growing up Catholic in the mid twentieth century."" - Journal of American History