To Lose thy Mother: The Daughter's Journey

By Hanna Otto

A raw, intimate memoir and a stunning portrait of difficult relationships-and how we survive them." - People

"Mesmerizing, wise, unflinchingly honest, heartbreaking and hilarious-The Fast's memoir is both beautiful and painful, just like real life."

From political writer and podcaster Molly Jong-Fast comes a fiercely honest and darkly funny memoir about her elusive mother's decline into dementia and a personal reckoning with a turbulent, fame-shadowed childhood.

The only child of bestselling author and feminist icon Erica Jong-whose novel Fear of Flying became a cultural touchstone-Jong-Fast grew up longing for connection with a mother who always seemed just out of reach. Erica's glamour and celebrity often left Molly in the background, navigating the chaos of growing up in the spotlight's shadow. Then, in 2023, Erica was diagnosed with dementia just as Molly's husband was found to have a rare form of cancer-plunging her into a year that would transform everything.

This stunning piece is a compelling memoir about a complicated mother-daughter bond, an unpredictable upbringing shaped by fame and fragility, and the moments that shake the foundations of adult life. With a voice that blends wit and vulnerability, Molly Jong-Fast delivers a story that is both deeply personal and strikingly universal-a powerful addition to the canon of modern memoir.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FCFNZX9B
• ISBN13: 9798287178956
• Release Date: June 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"