My Mother's Keeper
Encyclopedia
My Mother's Keeper is a 1985 book by B. D. Hyman
, daughter of legendary film star Bette Davis
, which recounts her view of their mother/daughter relationship.
by Christina Crawford
, the daughter of Joan Crawford
. Published after Crawford's book, Hyman also paints a very unflattering portrait of her mother, depicting her as a self-centered, emotionally abusive alcoholic. Unlike Crawford, Hyman does not accuse her mother of any physical abuse. Indeed, she claims Davis was a battered woman and states that Davis's actor husband Gary Merrill
was a violent alcoholic. Unlike Crawford's book, which was published after the death of its subject, Hyman's book and a sequel titled Narrow Is the Way were published during Davis's lifetime, thereby affording the actress an opportunity to respond to their allegations. Davis tried unsuccessfully to block publication of the books.
interview that Hyman was motivated by "cruelty and greed." She was primarily portrayed as an ungrateful daughter trying to cash in on her mother's name. Hyman stands by the statements made in her two books.
Davis's only public response to her daughter's allegations was an open letter to her daughter published in the actress's own book, This 'N That
(1987). Davis wrote:
"Dear Hyman, I am now utterly confused as to who you are or what your way of life is. Your book is a glaring lack of loyalty and thanks for the very privileged life I feel you have been given. If my memory serves me right, I've been your keeper all these many years. I am continuing to do so, as my name has made your book about me a success."
Davis disinherited not only her daughter, but her grandchildren from Hyman's marriage.
B. D. Hyman
B. D. Hyman , aka B.D. Merrill, is an American author and pastor.Hyman was born in Santa Ana, California, the daughter of the actress Bette Davis and artist William Sherry. She was adopted by Davis's husband, Gary Merrill, in 1950...
, daughter of legendary film star Bette Davis
Bette Davis
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was an American actress of film, television and theater. Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional...
, which recounts her view of their mother/daughter relationship.
Overview
An exposé of sorts, My Mother's Keeper is often compared to the 1978 book Mommie DearestMommie Dearest
Mommie Dearest is a memoir and exposé written by Christina Crawford, the adopted daughter of actress Joan Crawford. The book, which depicts Christina's childhood and her relationship with her mother, was published in 1978.-Christina Crawford's claims:...
by Christina Crawford
Christina Crawford
Christina Crawford is an American writer and actress, best known as the author of Mommie Dearest, an exposé of alleged child abuse by her mother, actress Joan Crawford.-Early life and education:...
, the daughter of Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford , born Lucille Fay LeSueur, was an American actress in film, television and theatre....
. Published after Crawford's book, Hyman also paints a very unflattering portrait of her mother, depicting her as a self-centered, emotionally abusive alcoholic. Unlike Crawford, Hyman does not accuse her mother of any physical abuse. Indeed, she claims Davis was a battered woman and states that Davis's actor husband Gary Merrill
Gary Merrill
Gary Fred Merrill was an American film and television character actor whose credits included more than fifty feature films, a half-dozen mostly short-lived TV series, and dozens of television guest appearances....
was a violent alcoholic. Unlike Crawford's book, which was published after the death of its subject, Hyman's book and a sequel titled Narrow Is the Way were published during Davis's lifetime, thereby affording the actress an opportunity to respond to their allegations. Davis tried unsuccessfully to block publication of the books.
Reception
After publication of My Mother's Keeper there was a groundswell of public sympathy for Davis, who had suffered a stroke only months prior to the book's release. Many celebrities came forward to defend her, stating that far from being emotionally abused, B.D. Hyman had been spoiled by Davis. Many came forward to dispute Hyman's version of events as being exaggerated and taken out of context. Among others, Gary Merrill publicly refuted Hyman's allegations, stating in a CNNCNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
interview that Hyman was motivated by "cruelty and greed." She was primarily portrayed as an ungrateful daughter trying to cash in on her mother's name. Hyman stands by the statements made in her two books.
Davis's only public response to her daughter's allegations was an open letter to her daughter published in the actress's own book, This 'N That
This 'N That
This 'N That is a memoir written by the actress Bette Davis and Michael Herskovitz, first published in 1987.As Davis had already written a successful autobiography, The Lonely Life, published in 1962, she had discussed in some detail the most important years of her acting career...
(1987). Davis wrote:
"Dear Hyman, I am now utterly confused as to who you are or what your way of life is. Your book is a glaring lack of loyalty and thanks for the very privileged life I feel you have been given. If my memory serves me right, I've been your keeper all these many years. I am continuing to do so, as my name has made your book about me a success."
Davis disinherited not only her daughter, but her grandchildren from Hyman's marriage.