Day Of Honey And Louise Erdrich's Love Medicine

Jokes about overbearing in-laws are a given in our global culture, indicating a universal understanding that has the ability to transcend categories like race, religion, and nationality. Addressing the relationships of mothers and daughters-in-law in at times comedic, and at others times frustrating, and heartfelt ways, are two books: Annia Ciezadlo’s Day of Honey, and Louise Erdrich’s Love Medicine. Ciezadlo’s novel is the firsthand account of an American war correspondent that marries into a Lebanese family. Annia’s relationship with her mother-in-law, Umm Hassane, begins with mutual respect and love for one another, but transforms into a game of proofs in which the resolution takes time and hard work to achieve. In contrast, Erdrich’s novel is the fictional account of the interconnected …show more content…
Often described as an old hen that “cluck[s]” or “fluff[s] herself like a chicken” in either agreement or disagreement, Umm Hassane brings with her to her new home the old Bazzi family tradition of grumbling and criticizing. During the many attempts of Annia and Mohamad to try to be more accommodating of her, asking her if there is anything the matter, or that she would like, her response is oftentimes rhetorical: “What do I know?” It is revealed to Annia that not only do Umm Hassane’s criticisms require a certain amount of coddling by her and Mohamed in order for them to be hashed out, but that they oftentimes outweigh any of her solutions. Mohamed points out after being irritated with his mother’s constant complaining, that the members of his family are “pseudo-martyrs,” or people who like to appear as if they are suffering for the maintaining of their beliefs. Umm Hassane’s ambiguous and pointed responses to their efforts to make her stay in their home as comfortable as possible frustrate Annia, and put a strain on their