Phyllida Law

I had the privilege of having one of the sweetest, most considerate, most understanding mother-in laws that anyone could ever want. She was a precious gift... and she kept on giving for the 12 years I knew and loved her. When I saw this book, I thought, “How in the world did this author, that I had never heard of, known my mother-in-law"? I just knew I had to meet and get to know the woman, that the description said was as important to this author, as mine was to me. I learned something about the author that I didn’t know. She is Dame Phyllida Law and best known as the mother of Oscar-winner... Emma Thompson. She began jotting notes about things her mother-in law did and said shortly after she married the woman’s son. The lady went into service at 14. She baked... knitted..., dusted... polished brass...sewed... and helped around the household until nearly the very end of her life. Law would comment not only on day-to-day household matters...but also on family gossip...funny happenings... and the quest for the discontinued items that her mother-in-law hoped to get. It’s a daughter-in-law's memorial and tribute to a woman that was everything beautiful in her life that was way too short... and was “more” than she ever had to be.… (meer)

Several years ago, I greatly enjoyed Law’s Notes to My Mother-in-Law. A sweet & short memoir of sorts, written in the titular notes by the author to her mother-in-law, who was hard of hearing and yet wanted the day’s news and arrangements, it was a short and charming read. Both women sounded like people I’d like to know, and Phyllida’s respect and affection for her mother-in-law were evident.

In How Many Camels Law recounts the final months of caring for her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, in the tiny Scottish village of Ardentinny – with the help of friends, local villagers, and her two daughters, actresses Emma and Sophie Thompson. Amazon says that running through the account are “anecdotes, memories and legends that form the fabric of every family.”

Unfortunately when I tried to read it a couple of years ago, I got no further than the first chapter and just couldn’t make sense of it. That probably says more about my state of mind at the time than it does about the book.… (meer)

A delightful and touching family memoir from the fine actress Phyllida Law. The book is based on the daily notes she would leave for her mother-in-law who came to live with Law and her husband Eric Thompson and her two young daughters, the future actresses Emma and Sophie Thompson in Hampstead.

The notes trace her mother-in-law's failing health and growing dependance on the family but is told with great warmth and a healthily wry look at life. One soon gets the impression of a slightly madcap but deeply loving family.

There are also gently loving codas from Emma and Sophie Thompson.

A memorable look at the pleasures in life, big and small.… (meer)