Life with Mae: A Detroit Family Memoir

by Neal Shine

Book Overview

In Life with Mae, the late Neal Shine combines an engaging memoir of his family life in prewar Detroit with a biography of his mother, Mae, whose vibrant spirit and fierce affection left an indelible mark on her three sons and their friends and neighbors.

Mae was born in 1909 in the small town of Carrick-on-Shannon, Ireland, where her father ran the depot that distributed Guiness Stout. Going into service as a housekeeper at fourteen,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0814332986
• ISBN13: 9780814332986
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Great Lakes Books Series
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

One of my Favorites

Uplifting and comical story of upbringing, from the perspective of the son of an Irish immigrant in Detroit. A wonderfully told story about a uniquely amazing mother and life.

An inspirational memoir and tribute.

Written by the late Neil Shine, longtime editor and former publisher of the Detroit Free Press, Life With Mae: A Detroit Family Memoir is the true story of daily life in Detroit as well as a biography of the author's strong-willed and spirited mother Mae. Born in 1909 in a small Irish town, Mae worked as a housekeeper at fourteen, and saved enough money for a one-way ticket to the United States by age eighteen. Life With Mae recounts her quirks, enthusiasm, protection, and love, as well as her identification with and compassion for the poor and downtrodden. An inspirational memoir and tribute.

Did your mother come from Ireland?

If you are looking for good writing, a good story, a happy and moving biography; if you're interested in Ireland, in the immigrant experience and a true story that screams to be made into a movie; if you're interested in the newspaper world, in short if you for once want your money's worth when you buy a book, this one is unputdownable. It's the sort of book that when you reach the last page, you start reading all over again at the beginning and enjoy it just as much - or more - the second time around. In sum: A classic.