Many thanks to NetGalley and Thread Books for gifting me both a digital and audiobook ARC of this true story by Helen Naylor - 4 stars!
Helen grew up in a dysfunctional family - both her parents were always ill and she suffered neglect as a result. However, as she grew up, it started to become clear that her mother was making up her illnesses to get attention. While never diagnosed, she had Munchausen's and was a narcissist. It was difficult for Helen to be a good daughter to her mother when her mother was obviously not a good mother and she suffered much guilt and blame by others. In addition, her mother resented any attention Helen showed to her own family instead of towards her, causing more guilt and blame. The audiobook was narrated by the author, which added a layer of truth and sadness to the story.
While I have read many stories of Munchausen's by proxy (where an adult harms a child to get attention), this is the first account I've read of someone suffering themselves and how it affected the entire family. It was heartbreaking that Helen's dad and the many, many physicians her mother went to never supported Helen or got psychiatric help for her mother. I would hope that today we would be more aware but these people are also perfect manipulators. Hopefully writing this book was cathartic and will help Helen move forward with her life.
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