Gaithel: A Daughter's Reckoning
A memoir depicting the author's relationship with her mother, beginning in Paris, TN, in the 1950's and continuing until her mother's death in 1997. Gaithel Elkins is a plain but hard-working restaurateur, home economics teacher and hospital dietician determined to prove her value to the world. Her husband Glen is silent and unsupportive. He spends most of his time in his garden, producing a mountain of food for Gaithel and Glenda to "put up." An only child, Glenda is required to fend for herself emotionally as well as fend off her mother's brutal tirades and chronic criticism. At an early age, Glenda finds solace in food and is farther isolated by obesity. But, despite the obstacles, Glenda grows up to build a successful advertising career, rear two sons and make peace with the memory of her difficult mother---almost.