NPR's Book of the Day Indie-rock artist Neko Case opens up about her childhood in a new memoir
Feb 13, 2025
Neko Case shares an intriguing glimpse into her childhood, marked by her mother's shocking act of faking her own death. She reflects on how this chaotic upbringing shaped her search for approval and impacted her relationship with her mother. The conversation delves into the complexities of family secrets, including a surprising musical heritage. Case emphasizes the ties between trauma and forgiveness, advocating for the acceptance of emotions like rage as essential parts of the healing journey.
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Faked Death
- Neko Case's mother faked her own death and moved to Hawaii.
- Case believed her mother was dead for two years.
Childlike Acceptance
- Neko Case was so relieved when her mother returned that she didn't question her motives.
- As a child, she didn't understand the complexities of the situation.
Conditional Love
- Case realized she had to be a "good kid" to keep her mother around.
- Her mother's actions taught Case a difficult lesson about unconditional love.
