With dazzling brilliance and empathy, Colm Tóibín's collection of stories wrestles with complicated themes of emotional restraint, the long reach of sexual repression, and the difficulty of escaping one's past. Each of the nine stories in this beautifully written, intensely intimate collection centers on a transformative moment that alters the delicate balance of power between mother and son, or changes the way they perceive one another. With exquisite grace and eloquence, Tóibín writes of men and women bound by convention, by unspoken emotions, by the stronghold of the past. Many are trapped in lives they would not choose again, if they ever chose at all. A man buries his mother and converts his grief to desire in one night. A famous singer captivates an audience, yet cannot beguile her own estranged son. And in "A Long Winter," Colm Tóibín's finest piece to date, a young man searches for his mother in the snow-covered mountains where she has sought escape from the husband who controls and confines her. Winner of numerous awards for his fifth novel, The Master—including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award—Tóibín brings to this stunning first collection an acute understanding of human frailty and longing. These are haunting, profoundly moving stories by a writer who is himself a master.

Mothers and Sons: In Their Own Words captures the compelling connections between mothers and sons and translates those subtle emotions into deceptively simple photographs. In the accompanying texts, mothers and sons reveal their most trying and their most exalted moments with candor and humor, recounting both extraordinary actions and everyday existence with enthusiasm, from a parent's lyrical essay to a two year old's uncomplicated observations. With an introduction by Isabel Allende, Mothers and Sons is a powerful tribute in both words and images to the unique yet universal relationship between mothers and sons.

First published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

"A Mother of Sons" provides words of wisdom for mothers who are raising boys. With humor and candor, she covers everything from burps to baseball, celebrating the blissful bedlam that comes with raising sons.

Through exercises and guided meditations, the author provides the means to uncover the influence of the primal bond between a man and his mother and to facilitate healing there—as well as in marriage, parenthood, friendship, and all other relationships of love.

Foundational wisdom on how mothers can build emotional, spiritual, and sexual stability in their sons.

Ever Feel Like Your Son Is From a Different Planet? Don't worry, Mom. There's a good reason why your son perplexes you. He's the OPPOSITE sex! Boys really do think, communicate, and process the world differently than girls. But no matter your son's age, he needs you, and he needs you in not-so-apparent ways. Drawing from her own experiences, as well as those from moms and sons from around the country, Cheri Fuller shares what makes boys and young men tick and how to become a more welcome influence at every stage in their lives. She answers all the top questions, including: "How can I help my son (and me!) deal with his emotions in a healthy way?" "School is such a struggle. How can I help him?" "Our personalities are SO different. How can we get on the same page?" "My son hardly says a thing. What can I do?" "What are the best ways to instill good values?" "How can I encourage a lasting faith in God?" With page after page of use-it-today advice and encouraging stories, this book will help you steer your son toward becoming a caring, confident young man. Includes Reflection Questions for Personal or Group Use Great for understanding grandsons, too! "Some mother-son relationships seem to add credence to the adage that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus.' Even mothers who have a close bond with their sons may think they harbor a complete stranger when their male offspring reach puberty. Fuller is a speaker and author, as well as mother of three (two boys and a girl) and grandmother of six. She lists specific activities that all sons need from their mothers, such as encouragement, communication, prayer, and confidence-building. She adds questions at each chapter's end to 'ponder, journal or discuss,' lending the book to both individual and group study. Recommended for the parenting section of any church library." --Church Libraries

The truth about mother-son relationships.

"Remarkable ... this extraordinary book helps mothers explore the challenges, frustration, pain and joy that are unique to raising sons." --Washington Post Book World A son's physical, emotional, and psychological development differs vastly from that of a daughter's -- and raising a son can pose unique challenges for a mother. With great clarity and sensitivity, this groundbreaking book from Dr. Evelyn Bassoff, acclaimed psychologist and author of Mothers and Daughters, explains how mothers can remain nurturing presences in their sons' lives throughout their many transitions. She details the important role a father plays in a son's growth, and how mothers can support and celebrate their sons' masculine energy -- whether it manifests itself in a love of playing football or playing piano. Dr. Bassoff also illuminates the varied demands of raising sons for married and single mothers, stepmothers, and mothers of gay sons. Drawing upon the best available research, as well as myths, legends, her experience raising her own son, and the personal stories of clients and friends, Dr. Bassoff offers an invaluable perspective on what mothers can do to insure that their sons become vital, loving men.