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Mama's Boy
- The Art of Building Bridges
- Narrated by: Dustin Lance Black
- Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins
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Summary
'To outsiders, my mom and I should have been enemies. Our house should have been divided -North vs South, red vs blue, conservative vs progressive, or however you want to put it. Instead, my mom and I fuelled each other. Her oil lit my lamp, and eventually mine lit hers. The tools I'd learned to wield growing up in her conservative, Christian, southern, military home were the same I'd used to wage battles that had taken me from a broken-down welfare apartment where gunfire sang me to sleep, to the biggest stages in the world, and to the front row of the United States Supreme Court to fight for LGBTQ equality.'
Dustin Lance Black wrote the Oscar-winning screenplay for Milk and helped overturn California's anti-gay marriage Proposition 8, but he grew up in 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 sons, and escaped the abuse and violence of two questionably devised Mormon marriages before finding love and an improbable career in the US civil service.
When Lance came out to his mother at 21, he was already studying the arts instead of going on his Mormon mission. She derided his sexuality as a sinful choice and was terrified for his future. Mama's Boy explores what it took to remain a family despite such division - a journey that stretched from the steps of the US 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 - one of family, foundations, turmoil, tragedy, elation, and love. It is a story needed now more than ever.
Critic reviews
"A magnificent achievement...I cannot remember a book where I cried so often. Brave, insightful, unflinching, funny, sad, triumphant...everything. And both a warning and a hope for the times to come." (Stephen Fry)
"A beautifully written, utterly compelling account of growing up poor and gay with a thrice married, physically disabled, deeply religious Mormon mother, and the imprint this irrepressible woman made on the character of Dustin Lance Black. Their extraordinary bond left me exhilarated - it actually gave me hope for the future." (Jon Krakauer, author of Into Thin Air)
What listeners say about Mama's Boy
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Willowdusk
- 04-02-20
Excellent
Loved it. Amazing and very moving. Highly recommend for everyone.
"A promise is a sacred thing."
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- Mrs JK
- 25-01-22
I loved it
Such an amazing story about two inspirational people, and read with such powerful emotion by the author.
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- Jo Bird
- 05-09-21
Inspiring, uplifting.
Possibly the best book I’ve read this year. I cried, I giggled, I cried again, but ultimately I was uplifted and inspired by the telling of this very personal story. I’m certain I’ll be reading this regularly since I couldn’t put it down the first time.
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- J.P. Bebbington
- 04-05-19
Sentimental, sweet and inspirational.
A wonderfully written book that details a life and a family filled with battles fought, hardships faced, and love given.
There were many moments that had me in tears, and many that had me in fits of laughter.
I don't yet have the words to fully describe how this book makes me feel, but know that it is incredible.
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- cat
- 22-07-19
Amazing !
Absolutely loved it , such an emotional rollercoaster
just listening to the book has made me want to be better and fight for what I believe in . DLB's mother was one of a kind !
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- Louise Merrifield
- 27-03-20
Very moving, beautifully read.
Dustin really opens up about everything his family went through. You can hear the love he has for his family. I shed many tears whilst listening to his story.
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- Emma Ranshaw
- 17-11-21
Incredible!!
This book is a must read for everyone. it had me laughing, crying my eyes out and was filled with so much pride.
Masterfully written and flawlessly performed.
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- Victoria
- 04-03-21
An inspirational story told with heart
This book helped me through self isolating with Covid 19. It made be laugh, cry, feel angry, feel joy and every emotion in between.
Everyone should read this book, irrespective of your politics or beliefs, it will open your eyes to what humans are capable of achieving if we come together and remember our shared humanity.
An inspirational story of an amazing woman from the southern USA and her blue eyed boy who don’t know how to take no for an answer.
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- Stu Young
- 23-10-19
Fantastic
Thank you Dustin Lance Black for this insight to your personal story - a detailed and informative narrative that is wonderfully performed
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- Richard Brignall
- 19-05-19
Remarkable Mum!
A truly remarkable story with so many similarities in my own life. Jesus tried to teach full acceptance, tolerance and love for all and today there’s a way to go but the fight continues. This book tells us the incredible story of a mother & son’s fight to beat the odds and how they achieved truly amazing things. I was hooked for many hours!
Richard Brignall
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