The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episode 251: Reflections on The Critic’s Daughter with Priscilla Gilman
Join me this week for an enlightening discussion with Priscilla Gilman, acclaimed author of the upcoming paperback release of her critically acclaimed memoir, The Critic's Daughter. Priscilla, a former professor of English literature at Yale and Vassar, brings a wealth of insight as we explore the intricacies of co-parenting and divorce. Beyond her literary achievements, Priscilla is one of my oldest friends, which adds a personal touch to our conversation.
The Critic's Daughter becomes a guide on what not to do when faced with the complexities of divorce, providing a personal and poignant account of Priscilla’s experiences. It's a rare opportunity to glimpse into my childhood, too, and witness the powerful narrative of Priscilla's parents' divorce – a tale of resilience, hardship, and the mistakes made during an era when people simply didn’t know how to get divorced without deeply affecting their children.
Learn more about Priscilla Gilman:
Priscilla Gilman is a former professor of English literature at both Yale University and Vassar College and the author of The Anti-Romantic Child: A Story of Unexpected Joy (Harper), and The Critic's Daughter (Norton). The Anti-Romantic Child was excerpted in Newsweek magazine and featured on the cover of its international edition. It received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Booklist, was an NPR Morning Edition Must-Read, Slate‘s Book of the Week, one of the year’s Best Books for the Leonard Lopate Show and The Chicago Tribune, and one of five nominees for a Books for a Better Life Award for Best First Book. Andrew Solomon called it “rapturously beautiful and deeply moving, profound, and marvelous.” Gilman’s second book, The Critic’s Daughter, was published by W.W. Norton in February 2023 (paperback February 2024); a memoir about her relationship with her brilliant and complicated father, the late drama and literary critic Richard Gilman, it is set in the heyday of intellectual culture in New York of the 1970s and 80s. The Critic's Daughter received starred reviews in Kirkus and Booklist; Nick Hornby called it “Beautiful: honest, raw, careful, soulful, brave and incredibly readable.” It was a Washington Post Best Book of 2023, a New York Times Book Critics' Favorite Book of 2023, one of the Los Angeles Times' book critic and Book Maven Bethanne Patrick's Top 10 Non-Fiction Books of 2023, one of the "18 Books Lilith magazine Loved in 2023," and 3rd on Bookreporter's Harvey Freedenburg's Favorite Books of 2023.
Since 2011, Gilman has taught literature and writing in countless settings. She was the parenting/education advice columnist for #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Cain’s Quiet Revolution website. She speaks frequently at schools, conferences, and organizations about parenting, education, autism, and the arts. In 2018, she became a certified Mindfulness and Loving-Kindness meditation teacher.
Resources & Links:
Kate’s book “The D Word Phoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment Collective Priscilla’s websiteThe Critic’s DaughterPriscilla on InstagramPriscilla on Facebook
Episode Link:
TODAY’S EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: PRIMIS BANKGet started navigating your new financial picture with Primis Bank. For terms and conditions, visit primisbank.com/dsg.
DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.