Worse Family

An epic book spanning 3 generations of women, "The Money God" by Zena Livingston, is a story of greed, selfishness, and finally, in the end, someone decent.

Starting in the 30's, a family struggles to make ends meet in a Catskill resort, going to seed. Celia, a young woman is helping her family try to make a go of the business, when she meets Henry, the love of her life. They making plans for the future, and have a daughter, when disaster strikes, both Henry and Celia's father die, leaving her with her tough as nails mother, Sophie. When Sophie announces that she is selling the resort, and that Celia must remarry and find a man to care for her and her daughter, Celia is hurt, and angry, but does find a kind widower with two young boys who will marry her. They in turn have a daughter, Ann, who turns out to be the only decent woman in this family.

Selfishness and greed permeate the stories of the women, and though I realize it was a different time for women, I really DID NOT like Sophie or Celia. It seemed like everything they did was just for themselves, and they were cold and mean to their children. I have known women like this, they make it impossible to love them.

The book should be read if you want a great story, but be warned, it is involving, and sad, but should also be a cautionary tale. It is said that children love their parents unconditionally, but selfish/mean mothers will get what they deserve, to end their lives, sad and alone, wondering what is wrong with their ungrateful children.

I received this book from Robyn at Carol Fass Publicity for review. Thank you.