Nanaville

Adventures in Grandparenting

By: Anna Quindlen

Narrated by: Cynthia Farrell

Length: 3 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

A bighearted book of wisdom, wit, and insight, celebrating the love and joy of being a grandmother, from the Pulitzer Prize–winning columnist and #1 New York Times bestselling author

“I am changing his diaper, he is kicking and complaining, his exhausted father has gone to the kitchen for a glass of water, his exhausted mother is prone on the couch. He weighs little more than a large sack of flour and yet he has laid waste to the living room: swaddles on the chair, a nursing pillow on the sofa, a car seat, a stroller. No one cares about order, he is our order, we revolve around him. And as I try to get in the creases of his thighs with a wipe, I look at his, let’s be honest, largely formless face and unfocused eyes and fall in love with him. Look at him and think, well, that’s taken care of, I will do anything for you as long as we both shall live, world without end, amen.”

Before blogs even existed, Anna Quindlen became a go-to writer on the joys and challenges of family, motherhood, and modern life, in her nationally syndicated column. Now she’s taking the next step and going full Nana in this lively, beautiful, and moving book about being a grandmother. Quindlen offers thoughtful and telling observations about her new role, no longer mother and decision-maker but secondary character and support to the parents of her grandson. She writes, “Where I once led, I have to learn to follow.” Eventually a close friend provides words to live by: “Did they ask you?”

Candid, funny, frank, and illuminating, Quindlen’s singular voice has never been sharper or warmer. With the same insights she brought to motherhood in Living Out Loud and to growing older in Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, this new nana uses her own experiences to illuminate those of many others.

©2018 Anna Quindlen (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved

Brilliant moments with her grandson

Any passage specifically about time with her grandson is a joy, whether he’s sleeping, talking about cows and frogs, or sitting in Nana’s lap being read a bedtime story. Arthur is a delightful boy and his Nana loves him unconditionally.

But the author swerves a bit and downplays the significance of grandparents in general, comparing herself in the scheme of things to a piece of fruit, a dog, etc. And she makes lots of suggestions of how to not step on the parents toes, and to always keep the perspective that grandparents are not as important as parents.

To me it’s not a competition. But the author presents the concept like it is a competition and that the grandparents should always let the parents win. I think a lot of this is colored by the fact that the author had a pretty perfunctory relationship with her own grandparents and therefore never experienced the precious singular relationship it could be....from the point of view of the child.

Parents are parents, and always will be. Grandparents are different, not better or worse, different. And the relationship a child can have with a grandparent is a relationship that will teach them unlimited unconditional love that will ultimately survive probably the child’s first big life loss....the passing away of their grandparents. Because of their advanced age most people will have many fewer years with their grandparents than their parents. And sure parents don’t need or appreciate unsolicited advice. But past that love your grandchildren like the precious beings they are, and long, long, after you’re gone, they will still love you. The author underestimates that and seems to think once her grandchildren are teens they will dismiss her. I disagree.

Anyway, I would have enjoyed many more Arthur centric stories, and a bit less advice.

The narration was a bit less than appealing. I think the book would have benefited from being narrated by the author herself, I think it would have given the book more immediacy and warmth.

So good I will listen again.

Every time I see an Anna Quindlen book, I get it and am never disappointed. This one is no exception. She articulates perfectly the feelings I have when I am with grandchildren, and has wise insights I have not thought of myself. The reader voice is lovely. I will listen to it again.

I loved this so very much!

This was perfectly relatable. I am almost 6 years into my journey as "YoYo". I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book!

Nailed it!

I was hooked in less than one minute! A must read for grandmothers! Loved it!

Truly Loved this book

It is a book I could have written myself, though not nearly so well. I will send it to every Nana I know. Quindlen speaks engagingly, and truthfully, and honestly about the joys and road bumps and hazards of grandparenting. Have a hanky ready though.

An important book for every grandparent to read

Quindlen describes the hopes and dreams of a Nana- with observations and reflections on what to do and what to avoid for family harmony. An excellent book.

Great for grandparents at any stage, esp 1st timers

My husband and I are about to be grandparents for the first time this fall. We found this book heartwarming, fun and informative about these happy new chapters ahead. We would highly recommend it.

Nana I’ll

I enjoyed the book as I am a new grandmother myself and I could relate to many of the issues covered, but would have enjoyed it even more if Anna had done the narration. Her personality comes through her voice and was a bit lost here.

Very enjoyable !

This book is Full of good advice. Narrator is excellent. Take her advice to heart.

A realistic look at being a grandmother!

Truly relatable antidotes about being a grandmother. No sugar coating on how wonderful yet exhausting it can be. It mixes the challenging times of how to step into being grandparent with all the wonders of watching & caring for another little human. Grandchildren have guiding parents. Grandparents are not the parents. Caring responsibilities are yours but the decisions on how to raise their child are not. Advise comes in small increments. Funny & well taken by the reader.
Delightful writing, as always, from Anna Quindlen. But I’d rather hear her voice as narrator.