Book Review: Mama Mia

A memoir of mistakes, magazines and motherhood … an quite a nice little read, too.

There’s not much we like more than a secret – or not so secret – delve into the world of someone who isn’t us.

Particularly when that someone is honest about her experiences, and gives us a taste of the goings on behind the scenes in the magazine industry. What goes on behind that which goes on behind the fashion and celebrity world! Exciting.

Mama Mia; a memoir of mistakes, magazines and motherhood by writer and magazine editor, Mia Freedman gives us all of this and more. Mia shares her motherhood experiences with candour, and an honesty that many will find refreshing and thankful for.

Ardent home birthers and advocates for mums to stay at home may struggle a little with her truthfulness, however Mia does take responsibility for her thoughts, feelings and experiences. She owns them, in such a way that doesn’t project onto, or judge others for their thoughts, feelings and beliefs.

(Except, perhaps for her Smug List and Crap Lists. Possibly because some of the stuff on her Crap List, I do too, and don’t see myself as being a Crap Mum … I like to call it “reality” (or “reality parenting” if you prefer) as opposed to “crap” or “bad”. But, hey, that’s just me )

Her journey through the world of magazines Cleo and Cosmo are, without a doubt, eye opening, intriguing and, at times, a little bit scary as to what really goes on! I, personally, am in admiration of her stand for body image and all the issues that go along with it – and again, more eye openers there.

The sometimes clash / sometimes mesh of motherhood and career, complete, of course, with mistakes, provide some lighthearted relief, a fair amount of “oh, thank goodness it’s not just me’s” and couple of laugh out loud and tearful moments.

Mia has clearly written from the heart. Overall, an easy read, relateable to many mothers and a fascinating delve into the (not so glamorous) magazine world.

Mama Mia; a memoir of mistakes, magazines and motherhood is available from Seek Books.

(A worthwhile request as a Christmas pressie, too )

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