Lisa Alther (1) (1944–)

....woman searches for her DNA ancestry in Appalachia and discovers roots to Portugal, Jewish, Native American heritage - which is not expected since her family culturally identify as Scottish protestant.

I love the way this is written and the humor. It reads so quickly and comes across as an honest re-telling of her experience at each step of the way. It helps me to find surprises and interesting turns in my own DNA ancestry - and that there is no need to try and figure out "how" or "why" information got lost...just focus on your own findings and mostly this brings joy and satisfaction.

And for Lisa Alther -a book!

I initially picked up this book because there was a review by Doris Lessing and so I knew it had to be good. I was concerned about reading a memoir that was going to drag me into the mud of someone else's confusion (claiming universal insight along the way); but nope! This was enjoyable, fun, and i definitely recommend to others to read this book.

… (altro)

A great little book that really is a lively, often funny, back-and-forth conversation between these two intelligent, artistic women: writer Lisa Alther and painter Francoise Gilot. A step back while reading it allowed me the pleasure of pondering what an amazing life Gilot has led, starting in France and ending up in NYC.

She is definitely worth getting to know. I recommend this charming book, and also Life With Picasso, which ends up being more about herself and her growth as a young woman and artist in her own right, while in a complicated relationship with a famous artist.

Francoise Gilot should be right up there on a list of every strong, intelligent, talented woman you could name.… (altro)