Mama's Boy: A Story from Our Americas
Dustin Lance Black wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay for Milk and helped overturn California’s anti–gay marriage Proposition 8, but as an LGBTQ activist he has unlikely origins—a conservative Mormon household outside San Antonio, Texas. His mother, Anne, was raised in rural Louisiana and contracted polio when she was two years old. She endured brutal surgeries, as well as braces and crutches for life, and was told that she would never have children or a family. Willfully defying expectations, she found salvation in an unlikely faith, raised three rough-and-rowdy boys, and escaped the abuse and violence of two questionably devised Mormon marriages before finding love and an improbable career in the U.S. civil service.
By the time Lance came out to his mother at age twenty-one, he was a blue-state young man studying the arts instead of going on his Mormon mission. She derided his sexuality as a sinful choice and was terrified for his future. It may seem like theirs was a house destined to be divided, and at times it was. This story shines light on what it took to remain a family despite such division—a journey that stretched from the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court to the woodsheds of East Texas. In the end, the rifts that have split a nation couldn’t end this relationship that defined and inspired their remarkable lives.
Mama’s Boy is their story. It’s a story of the noble quest for a plane higher than politics—a story of family, foundations, turmoil, tragedy, elation, and love. It is a story needed now more than ever.
Reviews (85)
Six Stars Please!
What an amazing book! I don’t know where to start for this review. First of all, Lance Black is an excellent writer. I know he’s primarily a screenwriter but I am sure he would make an excellent novelist. He has an easy style that conveys emotion and events well. This is his autobiography in a way but it’s really the story of his strong, resilient and steadfast mother - an amazing woman, to say the least. If you really want to know the essence of this book, go to page 49, read the last paragraph of Chapter 3. It encapsulates everything. If you want to know the promise of this book, go to page 303, read the last paragraph of Chapter 19. It resonates determination and resolve. I am a prolific reader. Surprisingly though, few books really touch me. This one certainly did. Needless to say, I HIGHLY recommend this book. It will take you on a journey filled laughter, pride and, unfortunately a few tears as well.
Dammit, Lance! You’re making me cry in so many public places!
Yesterday, balling my eyes out on a Minneapolis to LaGuardia flight. Today, weeping in the lobby of a hotel in Manhattan. If my physical reaction to Mama’s Boy isn’t a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is? This is an important story about families. Yes, families are complicated and generally f###d up, but they are also are our source of strength and purpose. Families are the fabric of our lives — good and bad — and this book is an opportunity for all of us to reflect, laugh, and yes, cry, when reflecting on our families. This is not only an enjoyably-written book, but an important one that everyone should experience. Bravo!
Bravo, Lance!
A lovely, loving tribute to the author’s mom + a gay Mormon coming of age story + a short history of the gay marriage struggle = a wonderful first book. The author is VERY candid about his family and his growing up, so I would have loved an additional chapter on his relationship with Tom, but I guess every author needs to hold a little back for the next book (get to writing, Lance).
Speechless
I’m not sure I can put into words what Lance’s story means to me. Everything that he and his family went through and not only did they not give up, they worked so hard to overcome and be more than dirt poor farmers and disabled Americans who gave up trying. Lance’s life is inspiring and I know that this book can change the views of so many and help others work to create bridges with those that mean so much to them.
Honest, Thoughtful
Finished this book last evening. My best read so far this year. Honest, personal, Black pens a great narrative, giving insight to why he sees the world the way he does. I've used the film, MILK, in class for several years and found the background to his writing the screenplay particularly interesting. His relationship with his mother is poignant, causing the reader to ponder their own relationships. At the end, I felt like I knew his mom intimately. Remarkable work here. Recommend to all.
Just 15% into the book...WOW!
...and I normally don't write a review of a book until I am finished, as well as being selective of the books I review, however, this book has grabbed me from page 1 and hasn't let up. Dustin is a wonderful writer, of screenplays as well (I have seen 'Milk' as well as other projects he has been involved with). The story of his mother's growing up in the South is tough to read, yet heartfelt and inspiring. I cannot wait to pick up the book so I can read more; unfortunately, my work, even from home during this time of COVID-19, keeps me busy most of the day. Cannot wait for this holiday weekend when I hope to finish it.
great read for the first half......
Wonderful and heartfelt first half, then it gets boring and slow while we go from date to date of the fight for marriage equality in the courts....kind of listing many names and dates. But once we get through all that and get back to the actual lives of the people, it gets interesting again. I WISH we could have heard more about the author's love life/romance, etc. We learn a lot about his mom's love life and men, but since this is a coming out type book, I wanted to hear about the actual relationships the author experienced, other than just "we met and he is my boyfriend".
A book that can make you a better person...
This book is incredibly moving. I cried too many times to count. It’s also technically wonderful, an extremely well written book where each incident is framed by the storyteller’s gift. Black is an expert at building suspense, thwarting the reader’s expectations, and punchlines. The book consequently reads ultra-fast, a riveting story that races across clean, impeccably organised writing. I found it very difficult to stop reading. On the other hand, reading too much left me emotionally overwrought—in need of a nap or a weeping session, or in the grips of brutal introspection. But it’s pain that teaches. This is a book for now, for everyone. There’s ample opportunity for quality self-recrimination throughout the book as your own life is exposed under the bright lights of Lance’s mother’s gaze, her struggles, her perseverance and victories. When this book is over, you will know this person and she very likely will change you. You will definitely respect her and you will never forget her for the rest of your life. Dustin Lance Black has given us the gift of meeting his mother, and by so doing, a story that can change lives.
Mr Black Spun The Yarn.
I simply have not enough superlatives for Mr Dustin Lance Black and his story telling. This book had me smiling, laughing and bawling. Then I just wanted to jump in and hug. Yes Mr Black took me on a youney where he told me about his fantastic and strong mom, his childhood, his brothers and I even got a feeling of being WHERE Mr Black were... Yes, I am not going to spill anything... I am just elling you to go get til book. and do yourself a favor -- get the audiobook where Mr Black tickles your ears himself. Five stars are not enough.
An amazing read for polio survivors!
A friend of mine saw a newspaper article about MAMA'S BOY and gave it to me because the author had a mom who had polio. It sounded interesting, but from the review I had no idea how much of this story would be about her and her equally remarkable story. She had polio when she was 2, and lived at Warm Springs away from her family for 10 years. From there, her care was taken over by the Shriner's who did corrective surgery. So after 12+ years, she finally got to go back home to her family and started on the amazing journey of her life. This was one of the most remarkable polio stories I have read, and I have read many and have been fascinated by them all. Also, members of my family are part of the LGBTQ community, so this book was extremely interesting in that area as well. It is an amazing read, and he really does focus on the point of how important it is to tell our stories and to listen to others' stories to build bridges to some common ground and understanding. I loved this book!
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