...as always in her warmly candid nonfiction, Quindlen voices concerns and celebrates high points with sensitivity and insight ... Quindlen savors a shared book, a held hand, a child’s laugh, and a relationship built on mutual love and respect. This tender book should be required reading for grandparents everywhere.
...often amusing and sometimes poignant ... Don’t expect a tell-all, however. While Quindlen’s tone is often self-deprecating, most of the faults she bares, such as her 'dirty mouth,' are more like lovable quirks ... Nanaville serves up enough vivid anecdotes and fresh insights — about childhood, about parenthood, about grandparenthood and about life — to make for a gratifying read.
Quindlen sets the tone with a winning comment on the general consensus that grandchildren are 'the best' ... here she is, writing about this situation — with her son and daughter-in-law's blessing. While she's at it, she heaps effusive praise on them. I'm sure they're terrific, but in this context, her encomiums come across as uncomfortably ingratiating ... Quindlen's wonder at seeing her eldest child grow into his new role is lovely and moving ... The best parts of Nanaville are the charming vignettes of Quindlen's solo time with her grandson.
In the tradition of her best New York Times and Newsweek columns over the years, Quindlen mixes wit and wisdom as she shares her thoughts on this new stage in life ... In addition to those laugh-out-loud moments, the book contains enough facts and historical insights to ground it as more than just a proud nana sharing family stories ... worth a visit for anyone whose baby either now has a baby or is getting ready to welcome one.
The author imparts sensible advice with self-deprecating humor and sincere gratitude for the bounty of her life. A warmhearted memoir sure to appeal to other new grandmothers—and Quindlen’s many fans.
...wise and endearing ... The book is filled with Quindlen’s playful sense of humor...along with thoughtful reflections on how parenting and grandparenting have changed ... This heartfelt and delightful work will especially appeal to readers already living within their own versions of Nanaville.
